NUR8030 Health Organisation and Development

NUR	8030	66005	2, 2007	EXT	Health Organisation and Development	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOSCI
Academic org:	FOS004
Student contribution band:	National Priority Nursing
ASCED code:	060399

Staffing
Requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Cheryl Perrin
Moderator: Roslyn Reilly

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MNRS or MNRH or PDEV or SING or MMPO

RATIONALE

The organisation of health care in any country arises from particular political, economic, socio-cultural and historical forces which influence the development, implementation and evaluation of health policy. Despite major differences in the organisation of health care internationally, there are some trends that have been evident for some time. For example, there has been a globalised trend towards an economic rationalist approach. Concurrent with this move has been an ongoing quest for more efficient and effective means of providing health care to the community. Another trend has been towards a holistic, primary health model, though the adoption of this model has not been uniform. These trends, amongst others, necessitate significant shifts at all levels of health systems, requiring informed and thoughtful responses from clinicians, administrators and educators.

SYNOPSIS

This course will focus on trends in the organisation of health care in Australia and internationally. Students are encouraged to examine health policy within their own clinical specialty, whether that be nursing, allied health, midwifery, mental health, or rural and remote practice. Factors influencing the development of health policy will be examined. Since this course works from the premise that health systems are constantly changing in line with health policy decisions, a particular emphasis of the course is on change and the management of the change process.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

define health policy and assess the role of Government in the provision of health care in Australia and internationally (3000 Word Report, Assignment - Short Answer Questions);
compare, contrast and critically analyse systems of health care internationally (3000 Word Report, Assignment - Short Answer Questions);
determine how the health policy environment in either Australia or internationally directly impacts on your area of practice (Assignment - Short Answer Questions);
refresh your knowledge of change theories and apply these to your experiences of change within your professional environment (3000 Word Report & Assignment - Short Answer Questions);
prepare a critical analysis of policy implementation at a health services level (3000 Word Report);
assess the impact of socio-political and economic forces on the implementation of quality assurance programs within health care systems (3000 Word Report & Assignment - Short Answer Questions);
critically assess quality assurance functions as components of the health care practitioner's responsibility to the consumer and health care institution (3000 Word Report & Assignment - Short Answer Questions);
identify evaluation criteria and mechanisms which would be appropriate for your own area of practice (3000 Word Report & Assignment - Short Answer Questions).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	MODULE 1 - ORGANIZATIONS, CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT Formal health systems Change process	30.00
2.	MODULE 2 - POLICY DEVELOPMENT Forces, trends and directions The Policy Environment Current Health policy and strategies Recommending future directions	40.00
3.	MODULE 3 - MAINTAINING QUALITY Evaluation Mechanisms Quality Assurance	30.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Palmer, G & Short, S 2000, Health Care & Public Policy: an Australian Analysis, 3rd edn, MacMillan, Melbourne.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	18.00
Directed Study	30.00
Private Study	122.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
3000 WORD REPORT		100.00	60.00	21 Sep 2007
ASSGT - SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS		100.00	40.00	02 Nov 2007

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% for each assessment item.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks avaliable for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted grades obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
10.	Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. If requested, students will be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be despatched to USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.
11.	The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
12.	The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media.
13.	The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
14.	Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
15.	In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
16.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
17.	Students will require access to e-mail and internet access to USQConnect for this course.

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.