| Dozent/in |
Dr. sc. Kathryn Ann Dawson-Townsend |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Seminar |
| Code |
HS261124 |
| Semester |
Herbstsemester 2026 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Gesundheitswissenschaften |
| Studienstufe |
Bachelor |
| Termin/e |
Do, 17.09.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 24.09.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 01.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 08.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 15.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 29.10.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 05.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 12.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 19.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 26.11.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 03.12.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 10.12.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Do, 17.12.2026, 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr, E.508
Fr, 15.01.2027, 08:30 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 9 (Prüfung) |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Inhalt |
This seminar course is designed to give students a sound foundation in process analysis and the study of an organization’s operations. Healthcare is ultimately delivered and experienced through a myriad of processes, including a doctor’s office visit and associated treatment(s), an operation in a hospital, a visit to a pharmacy for medication, a physical therapy appointment, etc. Healthcare products (medical devices, pharmaceuticals, etc.) are developed and produced through manufacturing processes. Health insurance claims and phone calls are also handled through processes. All of these processes have inputs, outputs, and rely on one or more resources to be completed.
Whether we are looking at new medications and treatments being developed, evidence-based care that is being standardized, or innovative ideas under development, they must be ultimately operationalized, in which someone determines the best way to deliver them to the end customer/patient in reality.
This course will introduce students to the study of processes in healthcare along with various methods to improve these processes, depending on the target outcome: lower cost, lower processing time, higher quality, lower carbon footprint and environmental impact, better customer/patient experience, or a combination of these targets.
There will also be a focus on the topics of lean management, supply chain management, and capacity management (forecasting demand and planning capacity) as part of managing a hospital’s daily operations. The semester will end with consideration for the implementation and evaluation of process changes and related business decisions.
The course will cover a variety of topics that are related to how work processes can be documented, analyzed, redesigned/improved, and implemented. These topics include (schedule subject to change):
- Week 1: Introduction to the course and to operations analysis
- Week 2: Operations analysis and business process management
- Week 3: Process analysis & various tools
- Week 4: Lean I
- Week 5: Lean II
- Week 6: No session (Dies Academicus)
- Week 7: Case Study / Automation and Robotics
- Week 8: Supply Chain Management I
- Week 9: Supply Chain Management II
- Week 10: Capacity Management, Inventory Management
- Week 11: Sustainability in healthcare I
- Week 12: Sustainability in healthcare II
- Week 13: Implementation and evaluation of operational changes
- Week 14: Special topics and semester review |
| Schlagworte |
Nachhaltigkeit |
| Lernziele |
Overall, this course has two main objectives:
• Introduce students to the study of processes in healthcare, including various tools
• Prepare students to design or update processes to improve costs, reduce processing time, increase quality, reduce carbon footprint impact, increase employee and customer/patient experience, or a combination of these targets.
By the end of this course, students will:
• recognize the importance of process analysis and the study of operations in organizations
• be able to apply various tools can be used to support process analysis and the study of operations
• have an understanding of how to implement process changes and evaluate their impact |
| Voraussetzungen |
none |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Begrenzung |
The course is limited to 25 participants. The limit will be administered via Moodle according to the chronological order of registration. From 31st August 2026, 12:00 p.m. (noon), it will be possible to register via Moodle. As soon as 25 participants are registered, the registration window will close automatically. If you would like to be put on the waiting list, please send an email to: masterhealth@unilu.ch |
| Anmeldung |
Moodle: https://elearning.hsm-unilu.ch/course/view.php?id=1075
|
| Leistungsnachweis |
Students may select the components that will be graded in order for them to receive 3 ECTS.
(A) Students may take only the exam (100% exam only)
(B) Students may take the exam as well as complete one or two optional assignments that compensate and reduce the percent the final exam counts for. Details on these assignments and their exact due dates (expected January 2027) will be provided on the first day of the course.
IMPORTANT: In order to earn credits and participate at the exam registration via Uni Portal within the exam registration period is MANDATORY. Further information: www.unilu.ch/en/study/courses-exams-regulations/health-sciences-and-medicine/exams/ |
| Abschlussform / Credits |
schriftliche Prüfung / 3 Credits
|
| Hinweise |
This course will offer a mix of lectures, in-class exercises, case study exercises and discussions and guest lecturers |
| Hörer-/innen |
Nein |
| Kontakt |
kathryn.dawson@unilu.ch |
| Literatur |
Will be shared via Moodle |