MPH5269 - Foundations of health policy - 2018

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 (MPH5272) and/or global health and primary prevention policies (MPH5260Not offered in 2018).

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Interpret and communicate the policy development process
2. Identify relevant stakeholders and critically analyse and interpret their policy interests
3. Research and apply theory and practice guiding health policy content and process
4. Critically analyse the key components of policy development
5. Critically evaluate and explain the implications of the political context of policy development
6. Effectively communicate complex information related to health systems policy and critically reflect on its application and development

• 6 x Critical reflections (300 words each ) (30%)
• Written assignment - critical analysis (2,100 words) (35%)
• Written assignment - critical report (2,100 words) (35%)

Off-campus: 12 hours self-directed study per week, plus 2 compulsory block days.

See also Unit timetable information

Public health

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