ANU - STUDYAT - Intro to Health Pol & Admin

Offered By:

ANU Medical School

Academic Career:

Graduate Coursework

Course Subject:

Medicine

Offered in:

First Semester, 2010

Unit Value:

6 units

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to health care systems, clinical governance and policy analysis. The institutional structure of the Australian health system will be covered in broad outline, with comparisons to alternative systems and illustration of the major economic aspects of the system. We will then examine the governance and management of clinical care and the stewardship of the health of the population. The course will conclude by considering how to construct a policy analysis of health issues and reform proposals. The one semester course will be taught over four hours contact time per week with associated readings, and include presentations from experts involved in the operation and reform of the health system, as well as student presentations.

Course syllabus will include:
• Introduction to health care systems
       - Public, private and charitable institutions of the health sector in Australia
       - Economics, finance and markets in the Australian system
• Clinical governance/health stewardship
       - Managing health service clinical performance
       - Clinician performance
• Policy analysis
       - The purpose of government and policy
       - Administrative technologies

Learning Outcomes:

Students who have taken this course will

•   Be able to describe the major components of the Australian health system and understand how it differs from some other health systems
•   Be able to explain the some of the economic aspects of health system operation, with reference to the institutional structure of the system and the provision of health care to the population
•   Be able to describe some of the major mechanisms used to govern the provision of clinical care and manage health services
•   Understand the concept of health stewardship and describe how politicians, policy decision makers and managers can contribute to the health of the community.
•   Be able to systematically analyse health issues and develop health policy reform proposals.

Indicative Assessment:

•   Minor assignment (2000 words, 20%): description of an aspect of the health system
•   Major assignment (4000 words, 40%): analysis of a health policy issue of contemporary importance and presentation of the analysis to the class
•   Take home exam (30%)
•   Attendance (10%)

Areas of Interest:

Health, Medicine and the Body, Medicine, and Population Studies

Eligibility:

Undergraduate degree in the health or medical sciences, science, the humanities or social sciences, of an acceptable standard. Students who have a combination of education and relevant experience in the health sector or related area will also be considered.

Consent Required:

Consent is required prior to enrolling in this course.

Indicative Reading List:

Davis, G, Weller P Are you being served? state, citizens and governance. Allen and Unwin, Sudney 2001

Duckett S. Health Policy

Dugdale P. Doing health policy in Australia Allen and Unwin Sydney 2008

AIHW Australia's Health 2008. AIHW, Canberra 2008

Healy J, Sharman E, Lokuge B. Australia. Health System Review. Health Systems in Transition 2006 8(5) 1-158

Majors/Specialisations:

Health Policy and Ethics

Programs:

Master of Culture, Health and Medicine

Academic Contact:

Assoc Prof Paul Dugdale

Introduction to Health Policy and Administration MEDI8203 - Details