Expert Talk on Behavioral Economics in Healthcare Held at Sarvajanik College

Sarvajanik College of Liberal Arts, the newly established constituent college of Sarvajanik University, organized an insightful Expert Talk on "Behavioral Economics: Applications in Healthcare" by Dr. Smruti Bulsari, Researcher at the University of Oxford.

Dr. Bulsari, who completed her formal education in Surat before pursuing advanced academic and research opportunities at prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford, served as an inspiration for students by demonstrating how dedication, purposeful career planning, and continuous learning can help individuals achieve excellence at a global level.

 

During her session, Dr. Bulsari explored how behavioral economics challenges the traditional assumption of individuals as perfectly rational decision-makers by highlighting the role of psychology, emotions, cognitive biases, and social influences in shaping human choices. She discussed key concepts including Dual Process Theory, Prospect Theory, Present Bias, heuristics, choice architecture, social norms, and libertarian paternalism, along with the ethical debates surrounding behavioral interventions.

The lecture further focused on the application of behavioral economics in healthcare, particularly in addressing non-communicable diseases. Using dementia as a case study, Dr. Bulsari explained how behavioral insights can help design effective interventions to encourage healthier lifestyles, including smoking cessation and increased physical activity. She also highlighted the importance of balancing policy interventions with ethical considerations while influencing health-related decisions through behavioral nudges.

The session was attended by select members of civil society, faculty members and more than 150 students of constituent colleges of Sarvajanik University, providing them valuable insights into the emerging role of behavioral economics in developing evidence-based public health policies and addressing complex healthcare challenges.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kiran Pandya, Provost of Sarvajanik University, remarked, "With the continuous dedication of our teachers and students, we aspire to build institutions in Surat that are comparable to globally renowned universities such as Oxford.”
Dr. Jayesh Desai, In-charge Principal of Sarvajanik College of Liberal Arts, emphasized the dual purpose of organizing such lectures. He stated, "Beyond introducing students to the applications of Behavioral Economics, this session also demonstrated that a person born and educated in Surat can reach institutions like Oxford University. With proper career planning, dedication, and perseverance, our students too can aspire to reach the highest levels in their chosen fields."