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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2017 - 2018

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
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 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
7. Debate current proposals for the reform of the Irish health system



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Directed learning20A two-hour examination and related revision
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 Study63Reading for the module
Total Workload: 125

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 Assessment% Examination Weight%
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

  • 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

28122, Website, 0, OECD Website, http://www.oecd.org/health/, 28123, Website, 0, Eurostat, http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat, 28124, Website, 0, WHO Europe website, http://www.euro.who.int/en/home,
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