Revised by: Programme council for the International Master Programme in Public Health (PRPH), 2016-11-01
Contents
The course is started with a discussion of the basic tools in an economic analysis of people’s health and health care. On the basis of this, the building blocks of health systems: organization, regulation, financing and delivery are covered. Different national health systems are examined and compared to reflect on the values used to implement them. The concept of health systems as social determinants for health, and the necessity of strengthening health systems to address inequality are also discussed.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding After this course the student is expected to:
Explain and discuss basic functions and organization of different health systems
Explain basic concepts in economic theory relevant to an analysis of health systems functioning
Skills and Abilities After this course the student is expected to:
Critically analyze, with the help of economic theory, rights based philosophy and social theory, issues related to financing, production and organization of health systems
Identify and analyze problems in different healthcare systems on the basis of the features of these systems (such as leadership and governance, resources, information, human resources, finance - as well as production) work in relation to the system output and system goals
In collaboration with others to compare different health systems, identify problems and propose improvements and to report and discuss it in seminars
Judgement and approach After this course the student is expected to:
Analyze how ethics and moral philosophical issues concerning people's right to health care care relate to the principles that govern the healthcare structure and function in different countries
Required Knowledge
- For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health sciences, environmental health or social sciences.
- Eng B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school or equivalent
Form of instruction
Teaching on the course is concentrated to two weeks during the course period. Teaching is conducted through lectures and compulsory group exercises. Teaching is given in English.
Examination modes
The course is graded with, VG (Pass with distinction), G (Pass), U (Fail).
The course is examined through participation in a course project, assignments and a written examination. Successful fulfillment of the course project and assignments is a first requirement for completing the course. The grading scale for assignments and the course project is Fail and Pass. The grading scale for the written examination is Fail, Pass, and Pass with distinction. To pass the course all assignments, the course project and the written examination need to be graded with a Pass. In order to be awarded Pass with distinction for the course, the grade Pass with distinction is required for the written exam and the grade Pass is required for the course project and assignments. It is only permitted to complete a non- approved results to approved, completion of higher rating is not allowed. If the student wishes the hen right to conduct re-examination and thus have the opportunity to get higher grades than approved. If there are special reasons, the examiner has the right to decide whether another form of examination can be used. Students who do not pass the regular examinations are offered further examination. Students who receive a passing grade may not take the test again. A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a class, are entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it. Written request must be submitted to the director of studies.
Other regulations
Start-of-study respite A respite for the start of studies may be granted under special circumstances. Examples of such circumstances are illness, military service, pregnancy, care of children or other nursing responsibilities etc. A negative decision about start-of-study respite may be appealed to Överklagandenämnden för högskolan.
Course roll call Attendance is compulsory for the course roll call. A student may be relieved from this obligation only through a decision by the course coordinator and only under special circumstances. Non-attendance without a valid reason may lead to the seat being given to another applicant. A decision about this is made by the course coordinator.
Students have the right to examine whether previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Application is submitted to Studentcentrum/Examina. Details on crediting can be found at Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se , and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6) . A refusal of accreditation may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12 ) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole or part of the application for accreditation is refused.
