Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

Delivery of health services is underpinned by a framework of health policies and other health system elements. Health professional leaders and managers, and those who aspire to these roles, need to know about these policies and about the process of policy making so that they can understand why a policy is what it is, and how to engage in the policy making process.

This unit involves a structured review of policy making processes, via WebCT based modules, readings and online tasks, supplemented by workshops with senior health policy practitioners. It considers key challenges and major issues confronting governments and health systems around the world, and how policy can help address these. The unit presents foundation concepts in health policy, which can be extended with further study of health care delivery policies (MPH2072) and/or global health and primary prevention policies (MPH2060).

Objectives

1. Understand the policy process
2. Identify and analyse stakeholder interests
3. Recognise key current issues on the Australian and global health policy agendas
4. Locate sources of information guiding health policy content and process.
5. Critically analyse policies
6. Evaluate the implications of the political context of policy development
7. Draw out the policy implications of research evidence and other forms of evidence
8. Present well-informed, clear, and well-reasoned arguments on policy-relevant questions
9. Critically reflect on their learning about health systems policy and its application and/or future development

Assessment

Web-based tasks (40%)
Written assignments (60%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Catherine Joyce

Contact hours

15 contact hours over 2 block days

Prohibitions

Students completing MPH2069 cannot undertake MPH2031

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/pgrad