This course focuses on the principles and practice of health system analysis, the sources and utilisation of information relating to the development, organisation and operation of healthcare systems, and frameworks for assessing the performance of different health systems.
This course draws on material from healthcare systems of both developed and less developed countries to examine the economic, social, epidemiological and political environments within which healthcare systems operate and the various patterns that emerge. We examine the key building blocks of healthcare systems:
The impact of some recent attempts at health system reform in different countries, including reform seeking to achieve universal health coverage, is assessed and proposals for future re-structuring are critically reviewed.
This course is an elective course of the Master of Public Health, Master of Health Leadership and Management and Master of Global Health programs, comprising 6 units of credit towards the total required for completion of these study programs.
Face-to-face classes on-campus for Internal students & fully online for Distance External students
Dr Augustine Asante
Course Convenor
+61 (2) 9385 8683
a.asante@unsw.edu.au
We welcome students from any discipline and level of experience to contribute perspectives and understandings. In addition, we encourage you to engage with the material, ask questions, discuss relevant issues with teachers and colleagues, and regard the available literature with a critical eye.
The overall aim of this course is to enable you to build your understanding of the principles and practice of health system analysis and comparison, including the frameworks for assessing the relative performance of different healthcare systems. The course aims to provide you with a broad overview of the structure and components of contemporary healthcare systems and how they function. This includes equipping you with the capacities to draw on material from a wide range of affluent and developing countries to examine the economic, social, epidemiological and political environments within which healthcare systems operate.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
This course offers you the opportunity to learn more about the healthcare system in your own country and how it compares with other countries. In doing this you will be able to:
Students in this course normally come from a wide range of countries. This course therefore provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn about each other’s health systems. Face-to-face classes are organised to maximise interaction, and external students are encouraged to share their experiences and views on Moodle.
Assessment Task 1 – Participation in online journal club on health systems reforms
Weighting: 20%
Length: n/a
Assessment Task 2 – Essay comparing health financing systems of two countries
Weighting: 30%
Length: 1500 words
Assessment Task 3 – Essay analysing human resources for health (HRH) development of any country of choice
Weighting: 50%
Length: 2000 words
It is not essential that you buy this book – but it does have chapters describing the health systems of many countries.