Module HEAS44715: Health Systems Analysis and Comparison

Department: Health [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HEAS44715: Health Systems Analysis and Comparison

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enable students to deepen their understanding and key concepts of health systems analysis and comparisons
• To examine some of the most important policy and organizational current debates within the different fields of healthcare and public health at international level and place them within the health systems context
• To critically analyse relevant key issues related to health systems as economic sustainability, improving quality and health services delivery

Content

• Current relevant issues in international health systems and healthcare policy debates
• Components and complexity of healthcare systems and international comparison
• Organization of public health in a health system perspective
• Health system quality and performance
• Economic evaluation in healthcare
• Country – level examples

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module, students will develop:
• A deeper understanding of current issues in healthcare system analysis and comparison via theoretical frameworks and the analysis of a range of case studies and examples
• An advanced understanding of the complexity of health-related issues from a system perspective
• An awareness of the intrinsic difficulties and challenges of health policy development and public health policy

• By the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Identify key issues, questions and debates in comparative health systems
• Critically analyze key issues and research findings related to international health policy
• Write an essay with an appropriately-focused research question, a clear, knowledgeable discussion of the topic area, a structured argument and an evidence of the critical understanding, conceptual synthesis and innovative thought needed to address the wicked problems that pervade health systems operations and improvement initiatives.

• Students will be able to:
• Identify and locate appropriate research materials
• Critically analyze arguments
• Write in a clear, rigorous style
• Manage their time effectively
• Preparing and presenting complex material in an accessible manner

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lecturing - Outlines a systems approach - Describes and explains health policy and systems comparison issues - Reviews current issues in health care and public health policy - Examines issues surrounding health policy implementation
• Tutorials and seminars - Allow students to work through concepts in more detail, promoting discussion and developing interprofessional communication and working skills
• Structured reading - Allows students to pursue topics in greater detail enabling both familiarity with key texts and a deeper understanding of the subject knowledge generally
• Independent study, research and analysis - Focuses student knowledge more deeply by pursuing aspects of the module that are of special interest to themselves and exploring specific applications in their field of study.
• Essay assessment will test students' critical knowledge and understanding of key concepts, their ability to argue coherently and communicate effectively in writing, and to assess reflectively their proficiency in thinking through complex health-related issues and how these may impact health and health related services from a systems perspective.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A group tutorial presentation on the comparative analysis essay.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University