Health ManagementSchool of Public Health & Social WorkPUN688:Health Policy in a Global ContextUnit Information Document 2020
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Staff & CommunicationUnit CoordinatorLana ElliottOfficeKelvin Grove: O Block, D Wing, Room 627Office Hours (Student Consultation)By appointment. Please email to arrange a suitable time Phone(07) 3138 0251Emaillana.elliott@qut.edu.auFor enquiries about this unit, please contact the unit coordinator via email. Staff will endeavour to respond within three working days. Staff will be available for student consultation in person and online. Please email to arrange a suitable time. For enquiries about your course, contact the Faculty of Health Student Support & Curriculum teamon(07) 3138 4697or email phsw.enquiries@qut.edu.auUnit InformationTimetable InformationCurrent social distancing restrictions preventthis unit from being deliveredin face-to-face mode duringsemester2, 2020. As such, the 2020 offering ofthisunit will be delivered through blended synchronous and asynchronous online learning. This will involve the provision of recorded content, readings and activities thatstudents will need to complete before attending weeklyonline tutorials.Online tutorials will take placevia Zoomfrom 12-1pm on Wednesdaysfor the durationof the semester. For privacy reasons, unfortunately these online sessions will not be recorded. However please contact the unit coordinator if you are unable to attend these sessions to negotiate another means of consolidating learning across the semester. Additional drop in sessions will also be scheduled in the lead up to assessment due dates. The URLs and information on accessing onlinesessions will be made available on the unit’s Blackboard site. It is recommended that studentsmonitor the unit’s Blackboard announcements regularly for any change to the unit. Prerequisite unitsPUN640
Unit OverviewRationaleHealth policy is a major driver of health systems, their structure and functioning. Well-informed and executed policies contribute and communicate important information andevidence in the management of health organisations. The globalisation of the health sector and its governance structures as well as the changing global burden of disease present policy-makers with a complex and challenging environment in which to construct and implement responsive health policy.This unit will provide students with a critical understanding of policy-making theories and principles as well asthe interplay of factors that influence policy development, implementation and evaluation. Global health issues will be used to illustrate and critically evaluate the policy process providing students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake health policy development, implementation and evaluation in a wide range of contexts. AimThis unit aims to develop an advanced understanding of policy-making theory and principles that underpin policy development, implementation and evaluation in a global health context.Learning OutcomesCompletion of this unit requires you to provide evidence of having achieved the following learning outcomes:Learning OutcomesModule 1Module 2Module 3Module 41. Understand the theories, principles and challenges that underpin health policy development, implementation and evaluation.X2. Critically analyse the impact that diverse contexts have on the selection of policy options.XX3. Design and produce a health policy analysis suitable for dissemination. XX4. Translate health policy into a credible implementation plan. X5. Critically analyse health policy using evidence-based evaluation methods and approaches.XXModules & TopicsThis unit is divided into four modules with each module covering a series of topics. The separation of material into modules is intended to structure learning throughout the semester. However, with policy-making being a cyclical process, these modules and topics are all heavily intertwined meaning students should seek to identify the continual overlap and interaction between these elements throughout the semester.Module 1 –Policy Theory & PrinciplesModule 2 –Health Policy Development Module 3 –Implementation of Health Policy Module 4 –Monitoring & Evaluation Approaches to Teaching & LearningThe unit will be delivered fully onlinein 2020 and will compriseof synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.Recorded content, resourcesand activities will be provided to students on a weekly basis. Whilescheduled weekly online discussion sessions will also provide students with an opportunity to consolidate their learning.
Students will be provided with a study guides, readings (via QUT readings) and online materials to help facilitate their learning. Students will also be expected to engage in further self-directed learning through the identification of additional relevant readings and resources to expand their knowledge and critical thinking skills in this area. Risk Assessment StatementThere are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit except for those associated with substantial computer-based work. You should ensure that you take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work.Unit CostsThere are minimal costs associated with this unit. These include the costs associated with printing of assignments. All recommended texts for this unit will be available online via the QUT library. We do not recommend printing of the material in the interests of the environment. For more information, please refer to http://www.studentservices.qut.edu.au/costs/details/Unit ResourcesThere is no specific text or other resources required to be purchased for this unit. Astudy guide, readings(via QUT readings), and other online materialsand resources will be available via the unit Blackboard site and further relevant resources will also added to this repository throughout the semester.It is expectedthat students will have read prescribed readings before attending each lecture. Studentswill alsobeexpected toutilise andintegrate additionalacademic-level resources into each of their assessment items.FeedbackStudent feedback allows us to further develop the unit to meet students’ needs and expectations as well as to ensure that all students are adequately achieving each of the unit’s learning outcomes. We therefore welcome feedback on the unit, its content and its delivery during any point throughout the semester. We also ask that all students provide feedback via both the Pulse and Insight surveys conducted by QUT.
Assessments InformationPerformance in this unit will be judged based on students’ completion of three assessment items. Each of these assessments will build on knowledge and skills covered throughout the unit and will build upon foundations developed by the unit’s prerequisite, PUN640. The due datesfor assessments have been staged throughout the semester to allow for feedback to students before finalassessment is made of each student’s overall performance in the unit.The assessment items have been designed to test students’ abilities to meet the unit learning outcomes. General AssessmentGuidelinesAssessments 1 and 2are to be submitted through a TurnItIn portal via the PUN688 Blackboard ‘Assessment’ tab by 2359on the due date. Assessments 1 and 2 should be submitted as a single Word file (.doc or .docx) and will be checked forcontent matching. Oral presentations are to be conducted online at the time negotiated bythe student withUnit Coordinator. Students will also be expected to submita copy of their PowerPoint slidesvia the Blackboard ‘Assessment’tab. Further information on developing and submitting presentations online with be provided to external students during the semester. Assessments will be marked according to predetermined criteria which are detailed in the marking rubrics provided at the end of this document. It is important thatstudents review respective rubrics during when developing assessment items to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the key requirements of each task. In addition, students should note the following:•Assessment items should be prepared according to theguidelines for Cite Write on the library web site.•Students are expected to use non-discriminatory language at all times. •A list of references (as distinct from a bibliography) must be provided at the end of each assignment. A standard format must be used, QUT-APA is preferred. Students are expected to use a consistentsystem of referencing and ensure that all references are in accordance with evidence standards. •Please refer to the QUT Policy regarding academic dishonesty so that youare aware of policy concerning penalties for breaching assessment rules. •Health professionals are expected to be literate and to be effective in communication. Thus consideration will be given to the presentation of the assignment and the quality of language.Late Submission of AssessmentsIn both your QUT study and your professional life you will need to meet deadlines. In accordance with the University policy, if you do not hand in your assignment by the due date, it will not be marked and you will receive a grade of 1 or 0%. If extenuating circumstances prevent you from meeting the assessment due date, you can apply for an extension.. If you do not have an approved extension, you should submit the work you have done by the due date and it will be marked in accordance with the assessment criteria. It is expected that students understand and abide by the University rules for assessment, accessed at the must retain a full copy of any assessment materials handed in and be able to provide this in the unlikely event that documents are lost or destroyed.Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, is a serious breach of QUT Student Rules relating to assessment. Plagiarism is taking and using another person’s work in an assignment without acknowledging the source orcopying or summarising another student’s work. All instances of academic dishonesty will be dealt with in accordance with the University procedures as detailed in the Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP) and penalties may be imposed under these procedures in accordance with Student Rule 29.Please note it is the responsibility of each student to ensure they have adequately familiarised themselves with the QUT Student Rules relating to academic integrity. Further information on academic honesty and how to avoid plagiarism that may assist students’ assignment preparation can be found at: http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/.Assessment ItemsAssignment 1: Context Analysis Due DateMonday, 17August 20202359–Brisbane timeLength2000 words (+/-10%)Weighting35%Learning Objectives1 & 2Individual / GroupIndividualIdentify a current or recent health policy issue facing a government, or a particular level of government, in a country of your choice. Prepare a critical analysis of the policy issue and its surrounding context. This should include: 1.An in-depth account of the policy issue. (5 marks)2.A description of the issue’s position, and relevance to other items, currently on the government’s broaderpolicy agenda. (5 marks)3.The identification of relevant stakeholders as well as their roles and positions with regards to the policyissue. (5 marks)4.A critical evaluation of the situational, structural, cultural and international/exogenous factors which led to a government response in relation to this issue. (10 marks)The assessment item will also be valued for presentation, writing style, line of argument and referencing (10 marks).The marking rubrics for this assessment is provided at the end of this document. Students should familiarise themselves with the relevant marking criteria to ensure they have a clear understanding of key requirements and the level of competency expected in responses. Assignment 2: Critical Evaluation of Policy Due Date Monday, 26October 20202359 –Brisbane timeLength3500 words (+/-10%)Weighting50%Learning Objectives2, 3, 4 & 5Individual / Group Individual Drawing on a relevant policy analysis framework, critically evaluate the formulation and implementation process of a particular government health policy. This task should:
1.Provide a comprehensive overview of issue, including a contextual assessment; identification of stakeholders, their interests and influence; and a critical evaluation of evidence used in the identification and prioritisation of the issue. (10 marks)2.Critically examine the policy formulation process and resultant policy. This should encompass an assessment of the policy type, instruments, programs or initiatives adopted, and/or any other policy development or consultation processes. (10 marks)3.Evaluate the implementation planning process and draw on any relevant implementation frameworks and assessments of implementation to provide to critical discuss on adherence with the planning processes. (10 marks)4.Drawing on evaluation findings and any comparative evidence from similar policies to critically assess the policy’s impactin line with its intended objectives. (10 marks) 5.In light of your assessment, identify and discuss policy strengths and weaknesses which could feed into future policy iterations. (5 marks)The assessment item will also be valued for presentation, writingstyle, line of argument and referencing (5marks).Please note: Students will be provided with policy topics during week 8. Students can elect to evaluate an alternate policy upon approval from the unit coordinator.The marking rubrics for this assessment is provided at the end of this document. Students should familiarise themselves with the relevant marking criteria to ensure they have a clear understanding of key requirements and the level of competency expecteding responses. Assignment 3: Presentation Due Date Friday 30October 2020Online by appointment. Length10 minutes (+/-2 minutes)Weighting15%Learning Objectives1-5Individual / Group Individual Based on Assignment 2, this final assessment item requires that students develop and present a 10 minute audio-visual presentation. During this presentation students should:1.Provide a brief background to the health issue and highlight key strengths and weaknesses of the developed policy and its implementation. (5 marks)2.Draw on evaluation findings to make a critical assessment of the policy’s overall achievement and provide recommendations for adjustments to improve future policy iterations. (5 marks)Students will be expected to answer a small number of questions regarding their evaluation. Presentation will also be valued for organisation, articulation and use of technology. (5 marks)For internal students, presentation will take place between Friday the 1stof November at appropriate times agreed to by both the student and unit coordinator. External students will be expected to submit their narrated presentations online by 2359on Monday the 1stof November.The marking rubrics for this assessment is provided at the end of this document. Students should familiarise themselves with the relevant marking criteria to ensure they have a clear understanding of key requirements and the level of competency expected in responses