| CODE | HSM5108 | |||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Health Systems Management | |||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | |||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Health Services Management | |||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces students to the discipline of health systems which is an important component in the study of health services management. The historical development of health systems is described and the importance of understanding health systems in the context of the social, political and historical development of nations is discussed. Through this unit students learn to describe health systems, compare different health system models and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different models of health systems financing and organisation. Key components in health systems including health workforce, medicines and technology and information are introduced. The unit provides critical analysis of the Maltese health system whilst also exposing students to several health systems in high income countries. The importance of health information as a pre requisite for understanding the performance of health systems is emphasised. Students are introduced to the theory and practice of managing health information. They are also given the opportunity to use interactive databases for comparative health systems research. The issues around data protection and health services research are discussed. Students are introduced to the various types of assessment that are important in the practice of health services management. These include needs assessment, health technology assessment, health services impact assessment and health system performance assessment. The unit concludes with an overview of trends in health system reform. Study-unit Aims: The aims of this study-unit are to introduce the concepts and frameworks that are applied in the study of health systems. The study-unit aims to equip students with the knowledge necessary to develop a critical understanding of the requirements for effective, equitable and efficient health systems. The unit also aims to provide students with practical skills in undertaking a literature review and using health information resources effectively for health services research. The study-unit therefore combines the theoretical aspects related to the latest content in the discipline of health systems together with skills used in health systems research. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Analyze the models of health system funding and organisation and critically analyse their strengths and weaknesses; - Critique the historical development of health systems, current trends in health systems reform and future challenges facing health systems; - Systematize the main health system domains; - Appraise the health information cycle; - Evaluate the limitations in health information and how this affects comparative health systems analysis; - Consolidate an understanding of the various types of assessments used in health services management; - Review the process and political factors associated with health system performance assessment. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Organise a systematic literature review on a selected topic within the discipline of health systems; - Critically analyse a country health system in a systematic manner; - Utilise online health information resources for comparative health systems research; - Construct needs assessments, health technology assessment and health system impact assessments. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential Reading: - Corinna Sorenson, Michael Drummond and Panos Kanavos (2008). Ensuring Value for Money in Health Care: The Role of Health Technology Assessment in the European Union (Selected Chapters) ISBN 978 92 890 7183 3. - Sarah Thomson, Thomas Foubister and Elias Mossialos (2009). Financing Health Care in the European Union (Selected Chapters). - Abdelhak, M., Gostrick, S., Hanken, M. A., & Jacobs, E. B. (2015). Health Information: Management of a Strategic Resource. (5th Ed.). USA: Saunders. (Essential). - Josep Figueras and Martin McKee (2011). Health Systems, Health, Wealth and Social Well-Being. Assessing the Case for Investing in Health Systems. Published by Open University Press. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Series. ISBN 978 0 335 24430 0. Supplementary Reading: - Sarah Thomson, Josep Figueras, Tamás Evetovits, Matthew Jowett, Philipa Mladovsky, Jonathan Cylus, Marina Karanikolos and Hans Kluge. (2015). Economic Crisis, Health Systems and Health in Europe. Impact and Implications for Policy.Published by Open University Press. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Series. ISBN 978 0 335 26400 1. - Irene Papanicolas and Peter C. Smith (2013). Health System Performance Comparison. An Agenda for Policy, Information and Research. Published by Open University Press. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Series. ISBN 978 0 33 524726 4. - Johns, M. (2002). Information Management for Health Care Professions. (2nd Ed.). USA: Delmar Cengage Learning. - Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2015). Management Information Systems. (14th Ed.). UK: Prentice Hall. - National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Website: http://www.nice.org.uk/ - The Cochrane Collaboration. Website: http://www.cochrane.org/index.htm - Black, N., & Gruen, R. (2005). Understanding Health Services. Philadelphia: Open University Press. - Mossialos, E. (2002). Funding Health Care: Options for Europe. UK: McGraw-Hill Education. - An extensive series of publications on health systems can be found at: http://www.euro.who.int/observatory/Publications/20020522_2 Most of these publications are free to download in part or full. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | |||||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Natasha Azzopardi Muscat (Co-ord.) Sandra Buttigieg Roberto Debono Dorothy Gauci Kenneth E. Grech |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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