92050 Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 96341 Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care

Description

This subject aims to provide students with essential knowledge and skills relevant to the policy and political environments in which health services operate. It is important for clinicians, health service managers, health service planners and those intending to work in the health service environment to understand the political environment in which decisions are made, how government health policies are formulated and enacted, and how they are received.

The subject covers the ideological frameworks underpinning public policy development; the policy formulation process; power differentials in the development and acceptance of health policies; how the health and political systems manage complex and grey issues; facilitators and challenges to policy implementation; and the influence of stakeholders and the media.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

A.	Examine how government policy is formulated within legal and ethical frameworks
B.	Differentiate between the political ideologies that underpin the delivery of healthcare services
C.	Judge the implications of the use of power in public policy decision making
D.	Assess and apply the competencies and skills required to effectively evaluate existing and emerging health policies in the management and planning of health services
E.	Evaluate the role of senior management, governments and interest groups (advocacy organisations, media, health professions/coalitions, private sector) in managing emerging issues, setting the health policy agenda and in policy development
F.	Create a variety of ways in which complex issues can be effectively communicated for a variety of target audiences.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

Demonstrate leadership in health and social care through communication and collaboration with specialist and nonspecialist audiences to optimise individual and system outcomes. (2.2)
Critically reflect on the intersection between Indigenous contexts and health services management to inform ethical work practices with and for Indigenous Australians. (4.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is taught using a variety of teaching and learning strategies. The strategies used emphasise active and applied approaches to developing students’ ability to understand management in health services and organisations, and apply this knowledge to generate effective, practical solutions to health system challenges. An overarching theme of the approaches to teaching and learning is to support students to actively learn in the classroom (individually and in collaboration with others), where they can interact with each other and the facilitator who can observe and assist them..

Understanding and critical thinking skills will be encouraged via a range of activities, including:

Pre-class learning via on-line resources to prepare for active participation in workshops.
Mini lectures and briefings, which include whole class brainstorming sessions.
In-class problem solving, discovery-based and critical thinking activities via cooperative group work (pairs and small groups).
Whole class teaching with examples, illustrations and data.
Time while on campus for students to reflect on, explain and record assessable tasks under continual advice and guidance.
Student led activities.
Real-time in-class feedback.

Content (topics)

Key forces shaping public health policy today
Health policy development and analysis
Power and public policy
Political ideologies and their influence on health policy
The ethical ‘politics’ of health policy making
Impact of poor health policy
Stakeholders in public health policy
Media’s role and influence in health policy

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Health Policy Stakeholders

Intent:	Provides students with the opportunity to analyse the health policy literature, learn the process and language of health policy and the importance and influence of the involvement of various stakeholder groups.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, C and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and .2
Weight:	20%
Length:	1000 words
Criteria:	45% Describes and judges the roles of stakeholders in the policy development and implementation process in general 45% Describes and judges the role and impact of their chosen stakeholder group on the policy development and implementation process 10% Grammar, formatting, style: Produces correct grammar, spelling, formatting, style (report) and referencing

Assessment task 2: Media Analysis

Intent:	This assessment item focusses on understanding the power of the media in influencing health policy and politics
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and 2.2
Weight:	40%
Length:	2500 word essay
Criteria:	30% Describes and justifies their approach to media analysis 20% Identifies a comprehensive list of peer reviewed literature on the selected topic 10% Justifies the importance of media analysis 30% Analyses the media release in accordance to the approach outlined 10% Grammar, formatting, style: Produces correct grammar, spelling, formatting, style (report) and referencing

Assessment task 3: Health Policy Issue

Intent:	This essay assessment focuses on examining a potential health policy option and is guided by a purpose designed question set to identify policy feasibility, utility and acceptability.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and 4.1
Weight:	40%
Length:	2500 words
Criteria:	30% Describes and justifies the issues identified in the article 30% Identifies and justifies methods and approaches to analysing the issues involved 20% Outlines the ideas, values and politics involved 10% Validates perspectives through correct interpretation and explicit linkage of relevant and current literature to the assessment focus 10% Produces correct grammar, spelling, formatting, style and referencing

Minimum requirements

Attendance is required at all three workshops (from 9am to 5pm - 7 hours).

Required texts

Due to the varied and highly complex nature of policy, power and politics in healthcare, there is no single mandatory text for this subject

Other resources

UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.

The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.

The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.