96341 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 2024 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): 92050 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; and the role of stakeholders on the policy process; the influence of media in policy decisions; how the health and political systems manage complex and grey issues; and facilitators and challenges to policy implementation.

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:

Are reflective, critical thinkers who influence practice, policy and research to achieve clinical excellence and transform healthcare services (1.0)
Critique, interpret and synthesise data and research findings to develop safe, effective and evidence-based solutions to healthcare challenges (1.1)
Effective, collaborative and responsive leader who considers health care in a global context (2.0)
Socially, culturally and ethically accountable when engaging with individuals, families, interdisciplinary teams, communities, organisations and jurisdictions (3.0)
Communicate effectively and appropriately in challenging, complex and diverse situations (4.0)
Value and choose highly effective and sensitive communication with diverse populations to enable positive and sustainable change in healthcare practice, policy and research (4.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

The teaching and learning strategies used in this subject emphasise: active and applied approaches to developing students’ ability to understand the process of policy making in the health and social care sectors and organisations; and the application of this knowledge to generate effective, practical solutions to complex health system challenges.

Critical thinking skills will be encouraged via a range of activities, including: on-line activities, case studies, problem solving, and critical thinking activities.

Assessment range
Students will be given the opportunity to undertake a variety of assessments. Formative and summative feedback will be provided throughout the subject.

Early low-stakes feedback will be provided via three methods:

Feedback on analyses and activities posted online
Results for the first assessment task, worth 20%

Continual feedback will be provided via the following methods:

Feedback on online tasks and activities
Progressive assessment tasks, worth 20% and 40%

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
The role of stakeholders in public health policy
Media’s influence on health policy

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Stakeholder mapping and media analysis

Intent:	This assessment tests your understanding of, and ability to apply the concepts of power and politics in the policy process introduced in Modules 1, 2 and 3. You will demonstrate you can map the relevant stakeholders in a health policy, and conduct media analysis.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0
Weight:	50%
Length:	1,500 word report (excludes tables, figures, reference list, title page)
Criteria:	10% summarise the health policy problem involved 30% map the stakeholders in the health policy, identifying their interests, relevance and power 30% conduct a media analysis using Laswell’s model of communication 10% discuss the implications of the stakeholder and media analyses for the success of the health policy 10% validate analyses with explicit links to relevant academic and grey literature 10% produce correct grammar, spelling, tables/figures and writing style

Assessment task 2: Policy briefing on obesity treatment options

Intent:	This assessment tests your ability to conduct a policy analysis and to write accurately and succinctly to inform a decision-maker. It also tests your ability to synthesise evidence from peer-reviewed research and weigh up the ethical considerations of a policy decision.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, D and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 1.1, 3.0, 4.0 and 4.1
Weight:	50%
Length:	1,500 policy briefing (excludes tables, figures, reference list, title page).
Criteria:	10% identifies the impact of obesity on the population and health system to justify funding 20% policy analysis comparing cost effectiveness evidence of surgical v non-surgical treatment 20% policy analysis that compares the equity and feasibility surgical v non-surgical treatment 20% balanced discussion of the ethical consideration of making obesity treatment mandatory 10% formulates recommendations top aide a decision-maker based on evidence presented 10% validates analyses with explicit links to relevant academic and grey literature 10% produce correct grammar, spelling, tables/figures and writing style

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: https://www.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.

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