MPH2069

Health systems policy ( 6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Prof J Stoelwinder

Offered:
MMS-ALFRED First semester 2006 (Day)
MMS-ALFRED First semester 2006 (OCL)

Synopsis: Overview of determinants and influences in health policy development. Structure of Australian health care system with emphasis on policy origins effecting clinical health care systems. Information management principles such as information sourcing, accessing and interpreting information, its timely and effective use. Highly relevant to managers and practitioners in clinical health settings, as they implement national, state and local health policy initiatives and provide evidence for programs and new initiatives.

Objectives: On completion of this unit students should be able to: 1.Identify what policy is and how it works. 2. Distinguish 'policy', 'public policy' and 'health policy'. 3. Apply the 'Policy Cycle' to develop public policy. 4. Compare formal rational policy processes, such as the 'Policy Cycle', to the policy making process in action, including the role of interest groups and 'evidence'. 5. Identify how the policy agenda is formed. 6. List the major substantive health policy issues, particularly in the areas of: + Alternative funding for health care + Rationing health care + Health care for the aged + Mental health + Chronic care and the continuum of care + Rural and indigenous health care + Technology and eHealth + Workforce 7. Locate sources of information guiding health policy content and process. 8. Integrate the above to critically appraise policy issues and the policy process in action.

Homepage: www.med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/postgrad/

Assessment: Web-based tasks (50%) + Written assignments (50%)

Contact Hours: 15 contact hours over 2 days

Off-campus attendance requirements: 15 contact hours over 2 days

Prohibitions: Students completing MPH2069 cannot undertake MPH2031