This course will provide students with an understanding of the concept of a health system. The World Health Organisation model will be outlined and examined. The Australian health care system will be used as a case study to highlight student understandings of health systems. This will include examination of the structures and layers of the health system, funding arrangements, workforce issues, regulatory/governance arrangements in areas such as therapeutic goods and the policy process. A key component of the course will be an introduction to patient journeys within the Australian health system and the issues related to successful navigation of health systems. Students will also be introduced to comparative health systems analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Define the key characteristics of a health system and apply this knowledge to the Australian health system;
2. Identify and describe the roles of different levels of government in the Australian health care system;
3. Explain different models and mechanisms of governance and financing in Australia and apply that knowledge in examining other health systems;
4. Critically assess health workforce regulation, distribution and production in Australia and apply that knowledge to other health systems;
5. Describe various forms of health service delivery and critically examine their potential impact on the experiences of patients, families and health care providers;
6. Identify key actors in health policy making and apply this knowledge to critical examination of health policy development and implementation;
7. Identify, outline and explain the key models of health policy analysis and apply them appropriately to different scenarios.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments via turn it in platform
• verbal comments (via zoom) if requested on an individual basis
• verbal comment (via zoom) at the start or end of a tutorial

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the course. Introduction to the group. Review advanced reading What is health policy? What is a health system? What is health stewardship? In class discussion around the Australian health care system Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 1 (end of week 1)
2	Review advanced reading In class discussion around; Regulatory theories & practices: pharmaceuticals as a case study pharmaceuticals benefit scheme (PBS) cost and access to pharmaceuticals Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 2 (end of week 2)
3	Review advanced reading In class discussion around; Analysing health systems Analysing policies: theories and practices with case studies Framing of policy issues: the media and media analysis Role of health stewardship Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 3 (end of week 3)
4	Review advanced reading In class discussion around; Health system financing: resource allocation, priority setting and rationing Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 4 (end of week 4) short essay 1 (1000 words) (15%)
5	Review advanced reading In class discussion around; Primary health care Allied health care Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 5 (end of week 5)
6	Review advanced reading In class discussion around; Stakeholders in the policy process: Patient groups and NGOs Intro to policy analysis Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 6 (end of week 6)
7	Review advanced reading In class discussion around Policy Issues affecting; Ageing population Mental health services Advocacy (for young and old) Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 7 (end of week 7)
8	Review advanced reading In class discussion around Policy Issues affecting; Rural vs urban Indigenous health services Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 8 (end of week 8) short essay 2 (1000 words) (15%)
9	Review advanced reading In class discussion around Policy Case study; Drugs, tobacco and alcohol - global / local perspectives Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 9 (end of week 9)
10	Review advanced reading In class discussion around Policy Case Study; Gambling Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 10 (end of week 10)
11	Review advanced reading In class discussion around Policy Case study; Food security Access to markets SPS & TBT Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 11 (end of week 11) infographic and policy analysis 'product' (15%) policy analysis 'product' (25%)
12	Review advanced reading In class discussion around; Regulatory Regimes and Practices; Education and training of health workers Workforce Regulation: Quality and Safety Post class activities (defined on the worksheet)	submit completed worksheet 12 (end of week 12)

Tutorial Registration

Refer to Wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial assessments (worksheets)	30 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Essay 1	15 %	19/03/2021	01/04/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Essay 2	15 %	30/04/2021	14/05/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Infographic and policy analysis 'product'	40 %	21/05/2021	*	1,2,3,4,5,6,7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial assessments (worksheets)

Students receive worksheets 1-2 weeks in advance of each tutorial session. Worksheets outline a series of tasks that have to be completed independently. Typically these tasks will include advanced reading, a short notes/summary on the readings and a series of questions to be researched and discussed in the tutorial session. At the end of the tutorial you will also have to write a synopsis of the key topics covered in the discussion. It is likely the synopsis will include a critical reflection on what you have learned and how you think it will influence your thinking moving forward.

Students have to complete the worksheets and submit them online (via Turn it in) by a prescribed date (usually by 23:59 on the Sunday immediately after the tutorial). Please note there are multiple activities (12) associated with this assessment task, each with individual due dates (usually by 23:59 on the Sunday immediately after the tutorial). Check the course Wattle site for specific details.

Students will receive up to 3% per completed worksheet. The best 10 worksheets out of the maximum of 12 worksheets will be recorded as the provisional mark for submission at the end of the semester.

Total Tutorial Assessment Value: 30%

Length: see weekly worksheets word count (+/- 10%)

Estimated return date: End of week 12

Rubric will be posted week 1 on wattle

Assessment Task 2

Essay 1

Students will be provided with assessment details in Week 1 of the course. The essay topics will be accompanied by a set of detailed instructions for the assessment . These instructions will include formatting and presentation requirements and the assessment rubric. All this information will be available on Wattle.

Length: 1000words (+/- 10%)

Due date: End of week 4

Estimated return date: End of week 6

Assessment Task 3

Essay 2

Students will be provided with assessment details in Week 1 of the course. The essay topics will be accompanied by a set of detailed instructions for the assessment . These instructions will include formatting and presentation requirements and the assessment rubric. All this information will be available on Wattle.

Length: 1000words (+/- 10%)

Due date: End of week 8

Estimated return date: End of week 10

Assessment Task 4

Infographic and policy analysis 'product'

Students will be provided with assessment details in Week 1 of the course. The assessment will be accompanied by a set of detailed instructions. These instructions will include formatting and presentation requirements and the assessment rubric. All this information will be available on Wattle.

In brief students are expected to select one key theme studied within the course i.e. health policy, health system or health stewardship. Over the duration of the course students will research their chosen theme. Students are expected to seek evidence, gain knowledge and sufficient understanding of the issues that they can define a 'health challenge' and produce a high level infographic which could be used to clearly define the 'health challenge'. The infographic should be of a standard that could be used to mobilise advocates or other health professionals and alert them of the health challenge in question. The infographic should be accompanied by brief note explaining the background to the infographic (evidence / motivation/ audience / intent / key message etc).

The second part to this assessment task is a concise critical analysis of the topic covered in the infographic i.e. current Australian health policy or in the absence of any such policy, outline the evidence for introducing such a policy.

Value 40% (infographic 15% and policy analysis 'product' 25%)

Length: infographic is typically 1 or 2 side of A4 . (A4 is just for submission you may specify the ideal format for your infographic i.e. A4 bi or try fold, A3 poster).

The policy analysis 'product' approx. 1500 words (+/- 10%).

Due date end of week 11

Estimated return date: End of week 14

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

Hard copy submissions are not required for this course.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

No resubmissions

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students