96337 Foundations of Healthcare Systems
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 92638 Foundations of the Australian Healthcare System
Description
In this subject, students develop and refine their knowledge of the major structural and functional components of healthcare systems by examining the Australian system. By understanding how health systems and other service provision models develop, evolve and perform, students acquire a foundation for leading and influencing the direction of health care.
Working on a case scenario, students will examine the structure, functions, delivery and challenges of the Australian healthcare system and its impact on health outcomes, across different population groups. The projects share a common focus on the changing relationships between healthcare providers, the insurance sector, government and the wider community. Industry partners may include public, private, primary and tertiary care, as well as payers, providers and suppliers.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Appraise the structural and functional components of the Australian healthcare system and the roles and responsibilities of the differing levels of government; |
|---|---|
| B. | Explain trends and structure and functional challenges in service provision models, health system performance and health service outcomes and outputs within the Australian healthcare system; |
| C. | Create a variety of ways in which complex issues can be effectively communicated for a variety of target audiences; |
| D. | Reflect on the impact of ongoing colonisation and its pervasive discourse on Indigenous Australians and their health and wellbeing for the design, delivery and management of the Australian healthcare system; |
| E. | Examine the role of person-centred care in the Australian health care system; |
| F. | Demonstrate collaboration. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Are reflective, critical thinkers who influence practice, policy and research to achieve clinical excellence and transform healthcare services (1.0)
- Communicate effectively and appropriately in challenging, complex and diverse situations (4.0)
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 the structure, functions, delivery and challenges of the Australian healthcare system and its impact on health outcomes across different population groups’ health. An overarching theme of the approaches to teaching and learning is to support students to actively learn with the support of a facilitator who can assist and coach them. Understanding and critical thinking skills will be encouraged via a range of activities, including but not limited to:
- On-line resources to prepare students for active engagement with the subject content
- Thought provoking briefings, quizzes, videos and other activities to stimulate thinking, promote understanding and support analysis and evaluation
- Problem solving, discovery-based and critical thinking activities via a range of guided stepwise and self-directed learning opportunities
- Learning that is supported by real world examples, case studies, illustrations and data
- Real-time feedback to student responses to ‘knowledge check’ questions
- Opportunities for students to reflect on, explain and record their input under advice and guidance.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to Health Services Management
- Thinking and communicating critically in health management
- The Australian healthcare system
- Health system inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
- Alternative methods of health services delivery and financing
- Consumers and advocacy
- Challenges in achieving healthcare outcomes
Assessment
Assessment task 1: A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
| Intent: | To explore different perspectives on the Australian health care system. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 4.0 |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | 500 words per perspective, 1000 words in total. The intext references and reference list is not included in the word count. |
Assessment task 2: HEALTH EQUITY
| Intent: | To examine the Australian health care system in relation to the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to generate strategies to address inequities in access to and experiences of the health and social care systems. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 4.0 |
| Weight: | 55% |
| Length: | 2,000 words |
References
Refer to Canvas for access to up to date references for this subject.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
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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.
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