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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2011 - 2012

Module Title Health Policy
Module Code NS402
School School of Nursing and Human Sciences

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorProfessor Anne Matthews (Head of School)Office NumberH205
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the subject of health policy, within which we think about health and how as societies we deal with the practical issues concerning the health of populations. This includes strategies and decisions relating to healthcare organisation and delivery. In this module students analyse concepts, approaches and outcomes relevant to health policy and examine strategies for public engagement in the health policy process. Students will be expected to attend tutorials, view presentations, contribute to online workshops and engage in on line group discussion within Moodle. On completion of this module the student will have gained a clear understanding of how policies affecting health are influenced, planned, implemented and evaluated.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the factors that determine health and how they can be influenced by policy
2. Debate fundamental health policy concepts and concerns such as equity, efficiency, effectiveness, quality and safety.
3. Analyse the range of policies that affect health globally and in Ireland
4. Compare health policy strategies, approaches and systems and internationally
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare human resource planning



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Online activity100No Description
Tutorial7No Description
Independent Study143No Description
Total Workload: 250

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 health and what is health policy?

Determinants of health

Historical development of and current issues in Irish health policy
Analysis of the role of the Health Service Executive, Health Information and Quality Authority, Mental Health Commission, Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance.

Global and EU trends in healthcare policy;

Comparing healthcare systems;

International influences on Irish healthcare policy.

Healthcare policy-making

Healthcare finance

Confronting resource scarcity

Economic appraisal and evaluation.

Equity, exclusion and healthcare policy.

Planning and forecasting human resources for health care

Health promotion policy

Patient safety and quality of care

Engaging with health policy

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Brady A-M (ed): 2010, Leadership & Management in the Irish Health Service, Gill & MacMillan, Dublin,
  • edited by David A. Leon and Gill Walt: 2009, Poverty, inequality, and health, Oxford Scholarship Online, 9780192631961
  • Marc J. Roberts... [et al.]: 2009, Getting health reform right, Oxford Scholarship Online, 9780195371505
  • Burke S: 2009, Irish Apartheid: Healthcare Inequality in Ireland, New Island, Dublin,
  • Jody Heymann... [et al.]: 2006, Healthier societies, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 9780195179200
  • Robert Beaglehole (Editor), Ruth Bonita (Editor): 2009, Global Public Health: A New Era, Oxford Scholarship Online, 9780199236626
  • edited by Richard G. Wilkinson and Michael Marmot: 2006, Social determinants of health, Oxford University Press. Oxford Scholarship Online, Oxford, 9780198565895
Other Resources

1290, Website, 0, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, http://www.euro.who.int/observatory, 1291, Book, Rechel B, Dubois C-A, McKee M, 2006, The Health Care Workforce in Europe. Learning from experience, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E89156.pdf, 1292, Book, Rechel B, Dubois C-A, McKee M, 2006, Human Resources for Health in Europe, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E87923.pdf, 1293, Report, Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance., 2008, Building a Culture of Patient Safety - Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance., http://www.cpsqa.ie/publications/pdf/patientsafety.pdf, 1294, Report, Dept of Health and Children, 2006, A Vision for Change- Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, http://www.dohc.ie/publications/vision_for_change.html, 1295, Report, Dept. Health and Children, 2001, Quality and fairness- a health system for you., http://www.dohc.ie/publications/quality_and_fairness.html, 1296, Report, Dept of Health and Children, 2001, Primary care- a new direction., http://www.ncnm.ie/files/publications/Primary%20care%20strategy.pdf,
Programme or List of Programmes
BNSBachelor of Nursing Studies (Hons)
BNTBachelor of Nursing Theory (BNT)
NUBNS in Nursing
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