Health care management, 7.5 Credits

Contents

Various aspects of management in both healthcare systems and healthcare organisations will be discussed during the course. Several topics will be introduced: management basics (e.g., management styles, roles of managers and leadership, communication); healthcare human resource management and performance management; some aspects of financial management; project management; strategic management and problem-solving; quality management and change management; as well as some business aspects of health care management. All topics will be given from international perspective, with direct examples from healthcare practices in different countries. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate the given material, reflecting upon the healthcare practice in their own country.

Expected learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to: – understand the principles of effective management; – understand and discuss various aspects of management in healthcare; – assess organisational needs and analyse organisational problems; – create strategic plans; – understand and explain principles of total quality management, human resource management and performance management; – interpret basic economic information (e.g., data presented in annual accounting books).

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. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic Training – minimum score 5.0 with no individual score below (4.5) (Tests taken before January 2005 not admissible) or TOEFL – minimum score 500 on paper based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE, Alternatively 173 on computer based test with iBT 61 is also required. Language test scores are not required if you have completed a minimum of two years of studies at an accredited university or college with English as the medium of instruction or you have had one year of graduate studies and have written your thesis in English. For more information please see: http://www8.umu.se/phmed/epidemi/utbildning/mph-requirements.htm

Form of instruction

Teaching on the course is concentrated to two weeks during the course period. Teaching is conducted through lectures, discussions, group works, and an extensive course project. The seminars where the course projects will be presented are compulsory. Teaching is given in English.

Examination modes

The examination is done in two parts: a course project and a written examination. A course project will be an extensive exercise requiring implementation of knowledge acquired during the course weeks and by own learning. Successful fulfillment of the course project is a requirement for completing the course. The grading scale for the course project is “Fail” and “Pass”. At the end of the course there is a written exam. The grading scale for the exam is “Fail”, “Pass”, and “Pass with distinction”. In order to be awarded “Pass” for the course, the grade “Pass” is required both for the written exam and the course project. 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. For students who do not receive a passing grade at the first written exam on the course, a re-sit exam is arranged. Correspondingly, an extra seminar is arranged for students who do not receive a passing grade on the course project. A student who fails two examinations has the right to a change of examiner according to the University’s set of rules. A request to change examiner should be sent to the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.

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 Attendence 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. Nonattendence without a valid reason may lead to the seat being given to another applicant. A decision about this is made by the course coordinator.

Academic credit transfers are always reviewed individually according to the University’s set of rules and academic credit transfer regulations.