Enrolments for 2019 have closed.
Health Policy in an Australian Context
Postgraduate | MUR-SHP541 | 2019
Course information for 2019 intake
View information for 2020 course intakeGet a broad understanding of health policy in Australia. Learn how parts of society such as politics and economics affect how policies come to be, and change. Look at real life policies to unpack issues in governance and leadership in health.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 15 weeks
FEE-HELP available
Health Policy in an Australian Context
About this subject
On successful completion of the subject you should be able to:
- review the Australian health care system
- evaluate the main stages in the public policy making process
- discuss theoretical perspectives in public policy analysis, including economic, political science, sociological and public health perspectives
- identify policies affecting the health workforce
- analyse the influence of public health policies
- criticise health policies affecting disadvantaged consumer groups
- discuss health policy reform and consider the possible future health policy developments in Australia.
- Overview of the Australian Healthcare system.
- Introduction to public policy analysis.
- State and Commonwealth responsibilities and the health workforce.
- Public health, medical services and technology.
- Equity in healthcare.
- Health policy reforms and future trends in health policy.
This subject will provide students with an overview of health policy and discusses analysis of health care and public policy in Australia. It will consider the political, economic, social and epidemiological contexts within which health policies develop and the forces that promote and oppose change. Health policies will be examined to investigate issues of policy, governance and leadership in the health sector.
ESSAY: Students are required to choose one of the essay topics below;
Topic One: Workforce Issues - How do you envisage the health workforce of the future? Discuss the key drivers and barriers to reform.
Topic Two: Disadvantaged groups - Identify one disadvantaged group (for example women, men, immigrants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disabilities, older persons) and discuss the key strategies adopted by policy makers in attempting to meet the healthcare needs of the disadvantaged group.
Topic Three: Public Health - Choose an area of public health (e.g: health for all Australians, healthy cities, health assessments, tobacco smoking, HIV/AIDS, drugs and alcohol, occupational health and safety) and discuss why policies regarding public health are of benefit to the larger community. (40%)
ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARD: For modules 1, 4 & 5, students are expected to actively contribute to the discussion topic that will be posted on the discussion board. The Unit Coordinator will moderate the discussion. On-line discussions are intended to encourage peer learning, drawing on the rich diversity of experience and knowledge in the unit cohort. Your learning will benefit from other’s thoughts, experiences, insights and opinions and you will have the opportunity to contribute to their learning. In the discussion process you should critically consider and assess the topic and the responses to the discussion topics that other students have contributed and provide your own carefully considered thoughts and analysis. Sufficient time is provided for in-depth discussion to occur. (30%)
QUIZZES: Online quizzes on module content. (30%)- Academic Essay (40%)
- Online Discussion Board (30%)
- Quizzes (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Others
Enrolment in a Graduate degree.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.