Handbook

This course introduces students to the principles and practice of health system analysis, the sources and utilisation of information relating to health services, and frameworks for assessing health systems performance. Students examine the constitutional, legal, economic, social, and political environments within which health care systems operate. Different models of health system funding and operation from universal health care to privatised health care are covered using Australia and the United States as major case studies respectively. This course reviews the components of health systems including health services organisation and management, health service financing arrangements and the health workforce, as a basis for understanding the principles and practice of comparative health systems studies.

The following areas will be addressed:

1. What has influenced the development of healthcare systems in different countries throughout the world? 
2. What resources should be allocated to primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare and how much in preventive versus curative healthcare?
3.  How should healthcare be financed?
4.  How should healthcare outcomes be measured against costs?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of different health system models?
6. How should the cost of health care be managed?
7. Models such as managed care, capitated payments of health providers, funding of pharmaceuticals and different models of health insurance will be covered.