Postgraduate Course: Health Systems Analysis (PGSP11363)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course aims to provide students with the ability to evaluate health systems in any country or region. A core goal is to provide students with an understanding of core economic principles and how these can be applied: (a) by health sector decision-makers in policy design, and (b) by analysts of health system performance. |
| Course description |
This course aims to provide students with the ability to evaluate health systems and policies in any country or region of the world. A subsidiary objective is to provide students with knowledge of economic principles and how these can be applied by policy-makers in health. Health systems analysts can provide answers to important policy questions because they have developed a conceptual framework for determining which choices are most efficient. This has become the dominant framework in health policy-making in many countries. In addition, those who want to influence, formulate or implement health policy must have a good understanding of economic concepts and theories and how these can be applied.
Outline content
The course is organised around 10 sessions covering three broad areas of health systems policy: healthcare financing; healthcare provision and sustainability.
The course is taught by a combination of weekly lectures, seminars and online discussion fora. In general, each topic is introduced via a 50 minute lecture and explored in greater depth a week later during smaller-group seminars held in-class or online. Students are expected to complete essential readings before attending seminars, and will have the opportunity to participate in a small-group presentation to the rest of the seminar class.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 50 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment will be based on two components:
1) Input to online discussion fora. Students to submit a portfolio of contributions to course discussions, comprising three short written reflections on readings and three examples of engagement in online discussions (30%)
2) Written essay of 3,000 words (70%).
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| Feedback |
Feedback on the discussion forum contributions that make up the portfolio component of the assessment will occur throughout the course period. In addition, verbal feedback is provided during seminars and guidance and feedback hours. This includes the opportunity for students to seek guidance and feedback on their planned approach to the assessed essay. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- A critical understanding of the role played by economic analysis in health policy and how different models of revenue collection and pooling can lead to different outcomes in terms of equity and efficiency.
- An ability to evaluate the various models of health system governance, with a particular focus on the evaluation of market vs. planned approaches.
- An ability to evaluate the organisation and delivery of health systems, with a focus on human/ pharmaceutical resources and use of information.
- An ability to identify and evaluate methods by which resources are allocated or channelled to individual and institutional providers of health services. -
- Demonstrating the analytical skills required to present, communicate and debate issues in health systems policy from an economist's point of view.
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Reading List
The course will utilise the following two textbooks:
- Carrun, C et al (2011), Health Systems Policy, Finance and Organization, Elsevier.
- Morris, S et al (2012), Economic Analysis in Health Care, Wiley (2nd ed). |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Mark Hellowell
Tel: (0131 6)51 1330
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Casey Behringer
Tel: (0131 6)50 2456
Email: |
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