Outline

Overview

This unit of study critically analyses the Australian health-care system, with an emphasis on its structure, funding arrangements, and the ways in which it is influenced by contemporary political issues and debates. The unit focuses on issues of access and equity, resource allocation, multidisciplinary teamwork, human rights, health care ethics, and issues associated with care of particular population groups including older people, Indigenous Australians, refugees and other immigrants. The Australian health care system is compared with other national health care systems to help students to critically evaluate the effectiveness of the Australian system in global terms. The unit explores the role of nurses as global citizens and the role of the profession in its global context. The unit also develops student understanding of contemporary ways of working and nursing models of care.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	John Rihari-Thomas, john.rihari-thomas@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	John Rihari-Thomas, john.rihari-thomas@sydney.edu.au
	Jennifer Hardy, jennifer.hardy@sydney.edu.au
	Moira Dunsmore, moira.dunsmore@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Assessment 1: Group Presentation Team presentation of position statement.	20%	Multiple weeks	30 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2: Panel Discussion Critical Responses Critical responses to Panel Discussions- online	35%	Week 05 Due date: 01 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 3 Policy Analysis Application of Bacchi's WPR methodology.	45%	Week 12 Due date: 27 Oct 2024 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The assessment framework in this unit is designed to measure the learning outcomes through students’ ability to interrogate and analyse the literature, reflect on, articulate and showcase current issues in the health care system and construct scholarly pieces of work.

To be eligible to achieve the minimum grade of pass in this unit of study, each student is required to: (a) submit all assessment items (b) actively participate and engage in tutorials and in the online content of the unit (c) meet specific assessment grading criteria (d) achieve an overall minimum grade of 50% (e) comply with any on-campus and off-campus attendance requirements, and (f) comply with assignment submission requirements including presentation and academic honesty

Assessment 1. Group presentations: Students will form groups to present a topic during the tutorial class each week. The presentation is expected to include multi-media and stimulate discussion.
Assessment 2. Quiz : Two panel discussions have been organised to explore i) important issues of access and equity in health care in contemporary Australia; and ii) interprofessional practice issues. Following the panel presentations and discussions, students will have the opportunity to pose questions to the panel, and to engage in discussions about the extent to which health care services are distributed equitably in Australia. Students will provide extended responses to questions about the two panel discussions, and short answer responses to the unit content up to and including week 5.
Assessment 3. Policy analysis

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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	1. Overview and introduction to unit; 2. Politics, policy and health	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	The politics of health	Independent study (1 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to the unit; Exploring contemporary issues in healthcare	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	2. Australian healthcare system; structure and funding.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Health Policy and the Nanny State.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	3. The Australian Health Care System: public and private (NDIS/Aged Care system)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Access and equity in health care: rural and remote health care in Australia	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	4. Panel discussion: Access and equity	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Working in safe health care teams	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	5. Panel discussion: Inter-professional care and integrated care	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	The ethics of health care rationing	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	6. Australia and the global health care system	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Fragile health care systems: the WHO building blocks of a system	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	7. Health care reform: where to now?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Health Minister for the day	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study.

It is expected that all students participate and fully engage in the content of this unit of study by attending lectures, tutorials and laboratories, being prepared for tutorials and laboratories, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and dignified manner.

Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:

font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
double line spacing
margins: 2.5cm each side
use page numbers
refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

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.

Required readings

See Reading list in Canvas

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. critically discuss the ways in which the Australian healthcare system is structured and funded, with a critical awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the system, including its overall effectiveness in terms of patient outcomes and satisfaction
LO2. explore and examine the political nature of healthcare in Australia, and the ways in which this affects the experiences of particular groups of people in need of care
LO3. compare and contrast the Australian healthcare system with other national systems, and to think critically about contemporary debates that focus on healthcare reform, in Australia and elsewhere
LO4. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of international perspectives in relation to nursing and the nursing profession
LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other health professionals and the ways in which nursing and other health professionals work together in inter-professional teams

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
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research 2.4. Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions 3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health 4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people 4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 3.6. Actively engages with the profession 4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral 5.5. Coordinates resources effectively and efficiently for planned actions
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research 3.6. Actively engages with the profession 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 2.4. Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions 2.5. Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity 2.6. Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes 2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care 2.8. Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people 4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral

Responding to student feedback

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

The Unit of Study has been regularly reviewed and updated based on student evaluation and informal feedback. This year a review of assessments has been made to enhance their application to unit

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice.

You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Handbook

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS6029: Australian Health Care - Global Context

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - 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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect