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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Comparative Health Systems
Module Code NS347 (ITS) / HEA1013 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinatorAmanda Phelan
Module TeachersAnthony Staines
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Students who fail the module will be required to prepare an individual report, on a topic of their choice in health services research, policy, or delivery, following the structure of an academic paper. They will have the opportunity to meet with module staff in two occasions before this due for submission.
Description

In this module, students examine the features of the Irish health system, explore the politics of health policy making, and analyse health systems through a comparative approach.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss what is meant by a 'health system'
2. Explore the politics and the finances of health policy making
3. Describe the principal features of the health systems in Ireland and abroad.
4. Explore, using a standard framework, the factors which account for the different structures of different health systems
5. Critically evaluate the ways in which different health systems meet common problems, and the impact of these choices on the efficiency, effectiveness and fairness of the system
6. Critically analyse and evaluate the features and outcomes of health systems using a comparative approach



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Assignment Completion40Individual assignment
Group work20Preparation of class presentations as part of seminars
Lecture2Introducing the module and drawing it together
Seminars18Addressing the substance of the module in a participative format
Tutorial2In support of examination preparation
Independent Study23Reading for the module
Total Workload: 105

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is a health system?
We consider what it means to talk about a system and what constitutes a "health system."

Politics and health policy making
We examine health policy making as a political process with interacting interest groups and perspectives which have varying levels of influence. Notions of strategy and "disjointed incrementalism" are considered in this context.

The Irish health system
We explore the principal features of the Irish health system, its historical development,its performance in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness, and proposals for its reform.

Comparative analysis of health systems
We analyse and evaluate aspects of the Irish health system through comparisons with those elsewhere.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Participation1 mark per class attended up to a maximum of 10 marks.10%Every Week
ParticipationGroup presentations on a topic chosen by the group - two per semester - 10 marks each20%As required
AssignmentPrepare a project report, in the structure of a paper for publication, on a topic in health service research, delivery or policy, of your choice. Also, prepare a response to the comments of the peer reviewers.60%Once per semester
AssignmentPrepare peer review (two) of other groups work.10%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Ruth Barrington: 1987, Health, medicine & politics in Ireland, 1900-1970, Institute of Public Administration, Dublin, Ireland, 9780906980729
  • A. Dale Tussing,: 0, How Ireland Cares, 9781905494231
  • Maev-Ann Wren,: 0, Unhealthy State, 9781902602882
  • Adelaide Hospital Society: 2008, Social Health Insurance: Further options for Ireland, Dublin Adelaide Hospital Society; Trinity College Dublin, Dublin,
  • Carol Barker: 1996, The health care policy process, Sage Publications, London, 9780803976283
  • Sara Burke,: 0, Medical Apartheid in Ireland, 9781848400368
  • Sara Davies,: 0, Global Politics of Health, 9780745640426
  • Judith Green & Nicki Thorogood: 1998, Analysing health policy, Addison Wesley Longman, London, 9780582298019
  • Michael Laver: 0, Social choice and public policy, 9780631146940
  • McCluskey,D.: 2006, Health Policy and Practice in Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin,
  • Jan Abel Olsen (Editor): 0, Principles in Health Economics and Policy, 9780199237814
  • Madison Powers, Ruth Faden,: 0, Social Justice: The Moral Foundations of Public Health and Health Policy, 9780195375138
  • Jennifer Prah Ruger,: 0, Health and Social Justice, 9780199653133
  • Gill Walt,: 0, Health Policy, 9781868142736
Other Resources

30545, Website, 0, OECD Website, http://www.oecd.org/health/, 30546, Website, 0, Eurostat, http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat, 30547, Website, 0, WHO Europe website, http://www.euro.who.int/en/home,

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