HSL5010 - Effective Health Systems

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 1

5 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Day

This study-unit introduces the student to health system design, organisation and delivery that is subject to continual change due to a multitude of factors that could be both population and globally based. Understanding how a health service is designed for effectiveness and efficiency and understanding the pervasive influence of digital technologies equips the student to advise and help construct health systems at various levels that are relevant to the prevailing and future scenarios.

Through this study-unit students learn to describe health systems, compare different health system models and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different models of health systems organisation and financing. The study-unit allows for an analysis of the Maltese health system whilst also exposing students to several health systems in high income countries. Innovations in service delivery in international healthcare systems will be highlighted and their applicability considered in the Maltese context.

Method of Assessment

Assessment Component/s

Weighting

Presentation

50%

Case Study (Take Home)

50%

Main Reading List

Josep Figueras and Martin McKee (2011). Health Systems, Health, Wealth and Social Well-Being. Assessing the Case for Investing in Health Systems. Published by Open University Press. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Series. ISBN 978 0 335 24430 0.
Abdelhak, M., Gostrick, S., Hanken, M. A., & Jacobs, E. B. (2015). Health Information: Management of a Strategic Resource. (5th Ed.). USA: Saunders. ISBN 978 0 323 26348 1.
Sarah Thomson, Thomas Foubister and Elias Mossialos (2009). Financing Health Care in the European Union. ISBN 978 9 289041652.

Supplementary Reading List

Foley, D.M. (2019) Health Information Management Case Studies. Chicago, IL: American Health Information Management Association. ISBN 978 1 584 26769 0.
OECD/European Union (2020), Health at a Glance: Europe 2020: State of Health in the EU Cycle, OECD Publishing, Paris, (Accessible from:
Spending on Health in Europe: entering a new era (2021) WHO Regional Office for Europe. ISBN 978 9 289055079 (Accessible from: )
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Website:
The Cochrane Collaboration. Website:
An extensive series of publications on health systems can be found at: AND

Need help?

Please check your eligibility to join this short course and time-tabling details with the Faculty of Health Sciences. The short course will only be delivered subject to a minimum number of applications being received.

Information for International applicants

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Study-unit Aims

The aim of this study-unit is to develop professionals from various backgrounds to demonstrate competencies necessary to identify, analyse and address challenges in health systems and healthcare services. Students are introduced to the concepts and frameworks that are applied in the study of health systems with a focus on the relevance of digital technology.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Appraise the models of health system funding and organization;
Appraise the historical development of health systems, current trends in health systems reform and future challenges facing health systems;
Systematize the main health system domains;
Appraise the health information cycle;
Evaluate the limitations in health information and how this affects comparative health systems analysis; and
Demonstrate competence in planning health system redesign with a good understanding of potential consequences and implications.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Develop ideas and proposals about how health systems can be strengthened;
Analyse a country health system in a systematic manner;
Utilise online health information resources for comparative health systems research; and
Ability to assist in the commissioning needs assessments, health technology assessment and health system impact assessments.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR425

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Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.

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