Unit Code: HSM505

Unit Name: Introduction to Health Care Systems

Description: This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the various health care systems in the Pacific region. This course introduces the history and origins of health care systems in the Pacific. A comprehensive discussion will focus on the different WHO Building Blocks for Health Care Systems. This will occur over six weeks. Students will gain an understanding of the roles that different health professionals play in health care delivery and management. In addition the course outlines some of the current challenges that have an impact on the management of Pacific health care systems. Discussion will center on the major health problems and the leading causes of death amongst Pacific people. The course will also cover how the health status of Pacific people is impacted by global forces. Students will be exposed to some of the key internal and external stakeholders which have important roles to play in the Pacific health care systems. Case studies on some of the Pacific health care organizations structure and operations will further complement the course.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to: 1. Define the terms health care and health care systems as applicable to the Pacific and global settings including history and origins. 2. Describe the WHO Building Blocks for health Care Systems: Leadership and Governance 3. Describe the WHO Building Blocks for health Care Systems: Health Care Financing 4. Describe the WHO Building Blocks for health Care Systems: Health Workforce 5. Describe the WHO Building Blocks for health Care Systems: Medical Products and Technologies 6. Describe the WHO Building Blocks for Health Care Systems: Information and Research 7. Describe the WHO Building Blocks for health Care Systems: Service Delivery 8. Classify the roles of the various health professionals engaged in health care delivery and management in the Pacific and outline traditional and modern medicine practices. 9. Outline the current challenges and major health problems facing management of health care systems and explore the leading causes of death amongst Pacific people. 10. Explain the impact of societal changes on health and health care systems including the impact of global forces and changes on the health care systems in the Pacific region. 11. Demonstrate the role of key internal and external stakeholders in the Pacific health care systems including the structure and operations of the various health care systems in the Pacific region.

Prerequisite: Minimum Entry Requirement

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 2