AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

• To introduce students to key issues confronting health policies and health care systems in developed and developing countries today.
• To examine the relationship between public policy and health status.
• To investigate different approaches to the financial structure and provision of health care.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Research and describe the health care system of a country other than Britain;
• Analyze the impact of social and economic policies on health and health care;
• Analyze alternative approaches to financing, organizing and delivering health care.

CONTENT:

This course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of health and health care policy and explores key issues in both developed and developing countries today.

The impact of social and economic policies on health are examined and the “WHO Health for All” framework is introduced in this context.

There is a particular emphasis on examining alternative approaches to financing, organizing and delivering health care. While this focuses on the UK context (why a national health service was introduced; the creation and abandonment of an internal market in the NHS; the more recent emphasis on primary care; and consumerism in health care) international comparisons are used to facilitate a critical understanding of local developments and the values and principles which inform them.

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS:
 
A formal program of lectures supported by seminars and workshops in which students are expected to participate in group activities. In these workshops students are encouraged to engage with issues arising from the lectures and to examine alternative approaches to health care and health policy. Discussions based on case studies and/or hypothetical scenarios are used to develop students' ability to think critically and use argument and evidence in considering alternative positions. The case studies are also used to enable students to explore theoretical, conceptual and ethical issues and the practical implications of these. Although current issues and policies (e.g. “Our Healthier Nation”) are considered, the teaching and learning methods used seek to give students knowledge and skills which have a relevance and application beyond the present-day context.

Students will be expected to study for a total of 150 hours on this course made up in the following way:
Timetabled lectures: 12 hours
Timetabled workshops/group discussions: 18 hours
Preparation for assessment: 40 hours
Self-directed study: 75 hours
Private review of assessment after receiving feedback: 5 hours

ASSESSMENT:
 
a) 1,000 word Report 30% (- Communicate effectively in context)
The report will describe the health care system in a country other than Britain. Reference should be made to:
* the demography and economy of the country
* how health care is financed (e.g. taxation, insurance, private payment);
* who is covered by the scheme(s);
* who is excluded from the scheme(s);
* who provides health care;
* any significant recent changes;
* advantages and disadvantages of the system.

b) Two hour seen exam 70% (- Think critically and produce solutions)
The exam will be divided into two sections, students will be required to answer one question (out of three) from each section:
Section one will test students ability to analyze the impact of social and economic factors on health and health care;
Section two will test students ability to analyze alternative approaches to financing, organizing and delivering health care.

Students must pass both components.