POPLHLTH 215 : Dynamics of Health Systems

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines ways in which approaches to quality and efficiency can be understood to examine changes in health systems, in response to the environment. The influence of key players is a key focus throughout this course.

Course Overview

Building on the core concepts introduced in 101 this course provides an introduction to 'systems thinking' in public health. Problems in public health tend to be complex with many key professionals, organisations and risk factors involved. Finding practical solutions depends on the interaction of multiple perspectives and interacting professionals and agencies. We will explore the complexities and dynamics within our health system including examining ways in which approaches to improving quality and efficiency can be understood to examine changes in health systems, in response to the environment. The influence of key players is a key focus throughout this course.

By the end of the course students should be able to share a broad understanding of how complex problems might arise in public health and apply a framework that can describe and evaluate various ways in which the public health system might react to policy change. Broadly, three main components will be examined:

  • Fragmentation and Integration within the Healthcare System,
  • Resource Allocation/Funding Priorities and
  • Quality Improvement.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: POPLHLTH 101

Course Contacts

Course Coordinator: Dr Braden Te Ao 
School of Population Health
email: b.teao@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0) 9 923 5046

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and critically analyse the characteristics of key professional groups and bases of power relating to fragmentation and integration within the health system. (Capability 5.1 and 6.1)
  2. Examine and assess how frameworks and factors that explain healthcare resource allocation and their potential influence on health outcomes. (Capability 3.1, 3.3 and 4.3)
  3. Evaluate the key quality improvement principles, methods and tools for improvements in healthcare services. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 3.3)
  4. Explore the ways in which key stages of the implementation process, and factors that affect it are impacting upon health service improvement. (Capability 2.1 and 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments
Assignments
Assignments
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect two 1-hour lectures, a 1-hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials will be available as recordings. The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorials. Attendance on campus is required for the exam. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The previous cohort of students felt well informed on how their learning would be assessed, that the assessments were well aligned to the aims of the course and they found the course intellectually stimulating. This course helped students to develop their thinking skills (eg, framing an enquiry, critical analysis, problem-solving) and students were satisfied with the quality of the small-group teaching (eg, tutorial, in-class exercises) associated with this course. 

In terms of improvements for this course, students expressed the need to have more opportunities to work in small groups and to discuss and collaborate with their peers. I will endeavour to address these in time, in future iterations of the course, and in my teaching. I also noted a number of issues experienced with online remote learning that students found difficult namely, staying motivated and engaged with learning. 

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 11/12/2020 03:04 p.m.