Outline

Overview

Health systems and the delivery of healthcare are complex and multi-faceted, even more so in resource-limited settings. Successful health systems and healthcare delivery require attention to political economy, governance, institutions, and local context. It is also important to be able to identify and prioritise cost-effective interventions, engage communities and equip health workers. This unit will cover health systems and healthcare delivery in low-income countries to equip students with a conceptual understanding and a set of tools to address major public health challenges from a health systems and delivery perspective with an explicit focus on building effective primary health care. With a focus on evidence-based decision making, the unit will provide an understanding of health systems including specific topics such as health workforce, financing, service delivery, information systems and policy, and how these impact health interventions and health status in less developed countries. We will also explore healthcare delivery in a novel integrated course design to highlight the perspectives of both health administrators and policymakers as well as health workers, patients and communities. A case study approach will then provide students with concrete examples of health systems challenges and will strengthen students' ability to view health problems in a holistic, multi-faceted manner. The unit will provide students with the tools needed to make a practical difference in health systems in less developed countries with emphasis on implementation of health projects, knowledge translation and bringing interventions to scale.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	HPOL5001 or MIPH5134 or MIPH5135
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Seye Abimbola, seye.abimbola@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	Online reflections participation and engagement during online reflections	15%	Multiple weeks	8 times, 200 words each
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Exploration of a health system challenge Short essay	30%	Week 07 Due date: 12 Apr 2024 at 23:00	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Systems thinking case study video Case study presentation	15%	Week 11 Due date: 10 May 2024 at 23:00	7 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Health systems proposal Health systems proposal	40%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2024 at 23:00	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

See assessment document on canvas site for more detail

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading as per Coursework Policy 2014, Schedule 1.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% late penalty for every day late

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Complexity and Systems Thinking	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Fundamentals of understanding health systems	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Primary Health Care Case Studies: Nigeria and Australia	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Human Resources for Health	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Comparative health systems analysis	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Health Information Systems	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Financing models for health systems	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Health systems and health literacy	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Health Systems and Technology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Learning Health Systems	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Revision and key concept: Universal Health Coverage	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Health system intervention scale-up case studies: Zambia and Tanzania	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of health systems and their impact on public health in developing countries.
LO2. Identify key issues under each of the main health systems components.
LO3. Apply analytical frameworks for understanding health systems challenges in developing countries.
LO4. Understand a number of different health systems models in use in developing countries and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
LO5. Develop research proposals to address key health system knowledge gaps.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Public Health Dentistry - 1.a. recognising the personal limitations and scope of the specialty and knowing when to refer or seek advice appropriately 1.c. providing patient-centred care, including selecting and prioritising treatment options that are compassionate and respectful of patients’ best interests, dignity and choices and which seek to improve community oral health 1.d. understanding and applying the moral, cultural, ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of specialist dental care to individual patients, to communities and populations 1.h. supporting the professional development and education for all members of the dental and/or health community, and 1.i. demonstrating leadership in the profession. 4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature 4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences 4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease 4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery 4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and 4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings. 5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and 5.2.b. writing reports.
	Public Health Dentistry - 4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease 4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery 4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and 4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings. 5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
	Public Health Dentistry - 2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and 2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas. 3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and 3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories. 4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature 4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences 4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease 4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery 4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and 4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
	Public Health Dentistry - 4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease 4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery 4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and 4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
	Public Health Dentistry - 2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment 2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and 2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas. 3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and 3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories. 4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature 4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences 4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease 4.2.b. the principles of oral health service delivery 4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and 4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings. 5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and 5.2.b. writing reports.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback is used to refine assessments, determine lecturers to retain and restructure the offering

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

GLOH5135: Global Health Systems and Delivery

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect