Students

HSYP804 – Health Law, Economics and Policy

2018 – S1 Block

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Liz Schroeder
Contact via liz.schroeder@mq.edu.au
75 Talavera Rd
By appointment only
Lecturer - Health Law (weeks 1-5)
Uche Ngwaba
Contact via uche.ngwaba@mq.edu.au
By appointment only
Lecturer - Health Economics (weeks 6-13)
Bonny Parkinson
Contact via bonny.parkinson@mq.edu.au
By appointment only
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPH
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit aims to introduce students to key concepts of law and economics that are relevant to public health practice. In the law module, you will learn to identify appropriate instruments and mechanisms to write and critique legal documents. You will explore international, national and local legal frameworks, with a focus on the functions of the United Nations. In the health economics module, you will learn about the structural and financial aspects of a health system, including funding arrangements and economic evaluations that are used to help decision-makers identify cost-effective solutions to health care problems. You will be able to integrate your previous learning in the program to examine ways in which health law, economics and policy advance public health. The unit is delivered through lectures, tutorials and on-line activities.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.
  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.
  • Appraise funding and financing structures in national health care systems.

General Assessment Information

Information concerning Macquarie University's assessment policy is available at http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading requirements are contained in Schedule 1 of the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes and attempt all assessment tasks.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn, including marking rubrics.

All final grades in the department of Health Systems and Populations are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded one of these grades plus a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG). The SNG is not necessarily a summation of the individual assessment components. The final grade and SNG that are awarded reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in Schedule 1 of the Assessment Policy.

 

Extensions for Assessment tasks

Applications for assessment task extensions must be submitted via www.ask.mq.edu.au. For further details please refer to the Disruption to Studies Policy available at https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/disruption-to-studies.

 

Late Submission of Work

All assignments which are officially received after the due date, and where no extension has been granted by the course convenor or tutor, will incur a deduction of 5% for the first day including the actual day on which the work is received, and 5% for each subsequent day. Weekends and public holidays are included. For example:

Due date

Received

Days late

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

Friday 14th

Saturday 15th

1

5%

75%

70%  

Friday 14th

Monday 17th

3

15%

75%

60%  

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 10% No Week 2-5
Written assignment Plan 10% No Week 3
Written assignment 25% No Week 6
Health Economics Quizzes 20% No Recess week 1 & Week 9
Powerpoint & Report 35% No Week 13 & 14
Student Portfolio Reflection 0% No Continuous

Participation

Due: Week 2-5
Weighting: 10%

Participation in class debates and online learning activities such as Q & A forums for health law


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.

Written assignment Plan

Due: Week 3
Weighting: 10%

Assignment part A: 500 words Assignment Plan 5% for Health Law & Governance module


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.

Written assignment

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 25%

Assignment part B: 2000 words report for Health Law & Governance module


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.

Health Economics Quizzes

Due: Recess week 1 & Week 9
Weighting: 20%

Online Quizzes for Health Economics module (10% each).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.
  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.
  • Appraise funding and financing structures in national health care systems.

Powerpoint & Report

Due: Week 13 & 14
Weighting: 35%

The theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.

·         Presentation (15%) to be presented in (week 13)

·         Each student will produce a 1000 word report (20%, week 14) on a topic relevant to the 5 weeks of health economics they receive (topics/research questions have been developed). 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.
  • Appraise funding and financing structures in national health care systems.

Student Portfolio Reflection

Due: Continuous
Weighting: 0%

Student Portfolio Reflection on meeting LOs & PLOs / Collection of supporting materials Programmatic assessment not marked for this unit (marked at end of  program)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.
  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.

Delivery and Resources

Unit Organisation

This is a four credit point unit run over a 13 week session.  There are lectures, tutorials and full day workshops.  Further information is available via the HSYP804 online Learning Management System (LMS) iLearn http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

 

Attendance

All lectures and tutorials are scheduled in your individual timetable.Attendance is expected at both lectures and tutorials, as this is where the majority of learning occurs, in most cases lectures are recorded. Failure to attend may impact your final results. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their tutor by email to inform tutors if they are going to be absent. The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/.

 

Prescribed Textbooks

Health Law (weeks 1-5): No prescribed textbook for this module, check selected reading materials are available through Leganto system.

Health Economics (weeks 6-13):

Folland S, Goodman A and Stano M. The Economics of Health and Health Care. International edition, 8th edition. Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson Prentice Hall. You will read chapters from it during the health economics module.  Copies will be held in library reserve.

The textbooks below are recommended for health economics:

Glied S and Smith PC (editors). The Oxford Handbook of Health Economics. UK: Oxford University Press.

Gray, A. Clarke, P.M, Wolstenholme, P., Wordsworth, S. Applied Methods of Cost-effectiveness Analysis in Healthcare (Handbooks in Health Economic Evaluation), Oxford, OUP, 2011.

Jones A, editor. The Elgar companion to health economics. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar; 2006.

 

Readings

The readings for each week will be listed in ilearn using the Leganto system. Leganto is a new reading list management system, which you can access through your iLearn unit. For further information to understand and navigate your unit reading lists in Leganto, check this guide:  http://libguides.mq.edu.au/leganto

Readings marked as 'required' are those that are essential to be completed for that week. Some readings may be included within a weeks readings that are marked as 'recommended' or 'secondary sources'. These are there for your recommended reading or for where we have sourced additional material that may be of interest to you. Please use these at your discretion.

 

Technology and equipment

On-campus

Teaching rooms are equipped with state of art audio-visual and ICT equipment including iPads, internet connection, high quality video cameras and multiple LCD screens. 

Off-campus

To study optimally when off campus you will need to have access to a reliable internet connection to retrieve unit information & at times to submit assessment tasks via iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Written assignment Plan
  • Written assignment
  • Health Economics Quizzes
  • Powerpoint & Report
  • Student Portfolio Reflection

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.
  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.
  • Appraise funding and financing structures in national health care systems.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Written assignment Plan
  • Written assignment
  • Health Economics Quizzes
  • Powerpoint & Report
  • Student Portfolio Reflection

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.
  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.
  • Appraise funding and financing structures in national health care systems.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment Plan
  • Written assignment
  • Health Economics Quizzes
  • Powerpoint & Report
  • Student Portfolio Reflection

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse how legal frameworks, organisational structures and service delivery systems influence the prevention and promotion of health.
  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.
  • Appraise funding and financing structures in national health care systems.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment Plan
  • Written assignment
  • Health Economics Quizzes
  • Powerpoint & Report
  • Student Portfolio Reflection

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Illustrate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of health economics.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Written assignment
  • Health Economics Quizzes
  • Powerpoint & Report
  • Student Portfolio Reflection

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Discuss how key legal institutional structures, political processes and policies impact on the public health system.
  • Apply the principles of economic evaluation to public health allocations to decision-making at the population/community levels.

Assessment tasks

  • Health Economics Quizzes
  • Student Portfolio Reflection

Changes from Previous Offering

Learning outcomes and assessments have been changed to be more succinct, to reflect the (i)weight of the module content as well as the (ii) weekly topics of content as these have developed and (iii) to incorporate in class and online activities.