Course Description

This is a time of major change in our health care system. The system must meet the health needs of all Australians at a time when health care costs are rapidly increasing, and our population is ageing. How can we ensure our health care system is efficient, equitable and the expectations of all Australians are met? In this course, students will examine how our health care system currently operates and explore the various strategies that could improve both the quality and effectiveness of the care people receive. This will include studying health care policies and how they directly impact people's lives; following the health care journeys of a variety of Australians to examine how the health care system functions at an individual level and how it interacts with other systems; and how health care systems in other countries work.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate understanding and analyse current public health issues and controversies and critique the different public policy responses to health issues within Australia and internationally.
• Demonstrate understanding of, and describe how, the Australian health care system works."
• Review and critique public health policies and strategies.
• Map patient journeys through different parts of the health system, including acute care, primary care, rural health services and Indigenous health services.
• Develop specific oral and written communications, informed by appropriate evidence, to effectively communicate health care issues and research results to policy makers.

Learning Experience