Australian Health Systems

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will provide students with the knowledge and analytical frameworks about the social dynamics of those institutions and structures that constitute Australian health systems. The subject will enhance students’ ability to undertake critical policy analysis. Issues that will be addressed will include, but may not be exclusive to: the theoretical and institutional context of health policy and public policy; Federalism and intergovernmental relations in health; health financing systems; health workforce supply and policy; policy making structures and processes in health; critical themes in contemporary policy including population health policy, Indigenous health policy, primary health care policy, research, health information systems, complementary health systems and evidence based policy. Upon completion of the subject, students should be able to apply the critical analysis of health policy to health policy development and evaluation.

Subject Objectives:

• To be able to describe and critically analyse the institutions, structures and processes that constitute Australian health systems
• To have developed a advanced understanding of the social dynamics of Australian health systems
• To have a sophisticated awareness of tensions in health policy from different institutional and professional perspectives;
• To be able to compare and contrast differing interests and perspectives on health policy
• To be able to analyse and critique health policy, with a focus on key themes and the students’ sphere of interest and expertise;
• To be able to critically analyse the potential of health policy initiatives
• To generate and articulate commentary on health policy with a sound understanding of the key institutional, social, cultural and political factors.

A set of additional readings will also be available for purchase.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject is a Group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health.

Subject Coordinator: Professor Ian Anderson 8344 0825 & Dr Margaret Kelaher 8344 0648