MPH2069 - Health systems policy

Leader: Prof J Stoelwinder

Offered

Alfred Hospital First semester 2007 (Day)
Alfred Hospital First semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Considers the steps involved in the policy process and how issues get onto the policy agenda. Major areas of policy interest such as funding health services and resource allocation, aged care, mental health, chronic disease and continuing care, rural health, indigenous health, information technology and 'e-health' and workforce planning.

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.

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