Introduction to Health Policy

POPH65052 Introduction to Health Policy 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Jonathan Hammond Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This course unit provides an introduction to health policy, including approaches to understanding policy making and the policy process, implementation, analysis, and evaluation. The unit is of relevance to a range of professions within health and care services, the wider public services, and those interested in public policy at the local, national and international scales. This includes those within the NHS/health care services, local authorities, the voluntary sector, non-government agencies, policy think-tanks, and consultancies in the health policy world. The overarching significance of policy to public health means that this course complements a range of existing course units, including ‘Health Services Management’ and ‘Implementation Sciences.’ It is unique in its exploration of approaches to evaluating policy and offering students an opportunity to design an outline for their own policy evaluation. This unit is relevant internationally, using both core case studies and inviting examples of health policies from students’ own contexts, to apply and consider concepts from the course in relation to different contexts.  This is an interactive online course. Students must work through, and reflect on, the online course material independently. Students are also encouraged to engage with the Blackboard discussion boards to ask questions, give feedback to one another, and check their understanding of key concepts and methods introduced during the course unit.  This unit provides an introduction to conceptualising, analysing and evaluating health policy, drawing on the broader public policy literature. The content complements a number of units on the MPH and MRes. In the unit, we start by examining how to conceptualise (health) policymaking, examine ways of analysing the development and implementation of health policies, and then consider how to evaluate health policy. Students will have the opportunity to design their own outline policy evaluation for the final assignment.This is an interactive online course. Students must work through, and reflect on, the online course material independently. Students are also encouraged to engage with the Blackboard discussion boards to ask questions, give feedback to one another, and check their understanding of key concepts and methods introduced during the course unit.  Critically discuss key theoretical and practical concepts in health policy, from policy conception to implementation and evaluation. Apply public policy concepts to ‘real world’ case studies of health policy, including those relating to students’ local policy contexts or professionalexperiences. Explain effective policy communication, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence. <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Category of outcome</td><td>Upon completion, students should be able to:</td></tr><tr><td>Knowledge and understanding</td><td>Define and critically discuss the concept of health policyExplain how to identify and engage policy makers and influence policy</td></tr><tr><td>Intellectual skills</td><td>Analyse the geographic, economic, social and political contexts of policyCritically engage with theories of the policy making processCritically consider different approaches to policy evaluation</td></tr><tr><td>Practical skills</td><td>Apply policy implementation and policy transfer models and frameworks to case studies</td></tr><tr><td>Transferable skills and personal qualities</td><td>Communicate policy analysis clearly and persuasively</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> Analytical skills Students will be introduced to range of concepts for analysing policy making and use these to reflect on 'real world' policy case studies and apply learning to examples from their own context. Group/team working Students will be encouraged to share and discuss their academic learning, and practical experiences, concerning policy with each other and the tutors. Written communication Students will be required to demonstrate clear and persuasive written communication skills in their consideration and analysis of policy. Other Students will have the opportunity to produce a plan for evaluating a health-related policy initiative, including: purpose, methods, outcome measures and political considerations. · What is policy?· Policy context· How and why policy is made· Policy transfer· Policy implementation models and frameworks· Synthesised implementation models and barriers to implementing policy· Evaluation approaches and design· Why policy interventions work or fail· Engaging policy makers and influencing policy This course unit has a high degree of self-directed learning including exercises and assignments which involve active reflection, reading, peer-led discussions, and applying concepts to ‘real world’ examples of health policy. This includes engaging with core case studies of health policies introduced during the course unit and being encouraged to reflect on and discuss examples from the students’ own context and professional experiences. Each week, the teaching team will record a video call ‘topic conversation’ where they discuss the content of the previous week’s topic, apply it to further real world experiences, and reflect on the ideas covered.  Formative feedback during the unit is given in a variety of ways. This includes written feedback to students that submit a short essay for the mid-term formative feedback opportunity. This essay can then be used to support the final summative assignment. The optional discussion board activities, and forums, provide an opportunity to test learning, ask questions, and receive peer and tutor comments.  All students will be provided with written feedback in relation to the final summative assignment.There will be regular interaction with the tutors through scheduled webinars (which will be recorded and made available) and through the online discussion boards. Students will be encouraged to use self-reflection to think about the ideas discussed, and take part in discussion board activities. Students should work through the unit in a logical sequence. The individual course unit timetables will guide what should be done and when. Participation in the discussion boards is greatly encouraged, and can help enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your assessment.In line with guidance from the Office for Students and Quality Assurance Agency, the programme will be augmented by the Programme Director Seminar Series to deliver study skills, written English, academic writing, research skills, critical thinking and understanding arguments, careers and employability skills, revision/assessment/examination skills including time management. 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 100% Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their final summative assignment (2,500-3,000 words) within 20 working days for final submission.  Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will also be provided during a course unit. PG Dip in Public Health PGDp Pub.Hlth (Public Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp Pub.Hlth (Global Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp Public Health (Imp Sci) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp PH (Environmental Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp PH Occupational Health PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp PH (Communicable Disease) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp PH (Dental PH) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp PH Evidence Based Healthc PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health PGDp PH (Health Sciences) PGDT Taught Component Optional Public Health Prof Dev Public Health Prof Dev PGDT Taught Component Optional Public Health Prof Dev Public Health Prof Dev (ACF) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (60) MRes Primary Care (60) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (60) MRes Public Health (60) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (60) MRes Primary Care (ACF) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (60) MRes Public Health (ACF) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (60) MRes Dental Public Health PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (12) MRes Primary Care (12) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (12) MRes Public Health (12) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (12) MRes Dental Public Health PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PG Cert in Public Health PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PG Cert PH (Global Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PGCert PH (Imp Science) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PGCt PH (Environment & PH) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PGCert Pub Health (Occ Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PGCt PH (Communicable Disease) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PGCert PH (Dental PH) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PGCert Public Health (EBH) PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Cert in Public Health PGCert PH (Health Sciences) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (Public Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (Global Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (GH - ACF) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (PH - ACF) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH Implementation Science PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (Environment and PH) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (Occupational Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (Communicable Disease) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (Dental Public Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (EBH) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH (Health Sciences) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (60) MPH DPH60 - ACF PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (Public Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (Global Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH Implementation Science PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (Environmen & PH) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (Occupational Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (Communicable Disease) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (Dental Public Health) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (EBH) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (12) MPH (Health Sciences) PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Occupational Hygiene MSc Occupational Hygiene PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Occupational Hygiene MSc Occupational Hygiene 2yr PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Occ Med MSc Occ Med PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Occ Med MSc Occupational Med (ACF) PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Occ Med MSc Occupational Medicine 2Yr PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip in Public Health FT PG Dip Public Health (PH) FT PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH (Public Health) (24) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH (Global Health) (24) PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH - Implementation Sci 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH - Environment & PH 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH Occ Health 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH Communicable Disease 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH Dental Public Health 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH Evidence Based Health 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional MPH: the evidence bsd app (PT) MPH Health Sciences 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (PT) MRes Public Health (24) PGDT Dissertation Optional Masters of Research (PT) MRes Primary Care (24) PGDT Taught Component Optional Masters of Research (PT) MRes DPH - 24 PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Occupational Hygiene FT MSc Occupational Hygiene FT PGDT Taught Component Optional N Buse K, Mays N, and Walt G. (2012) Making Health Policy (Understanding Public Health), 2nd Edition. Open University Press. ISBN-10:0335246346.  Lectures 30 Supervised time in studio/wksp 70 0 50 Please make note of the following further detail regarding scheduled activity hours for this unit: <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Webinars and online Topic Conversations</td><td>8 hours</td></tr><tr><td>Assessment working and associated tasks</td><td>50 hours</td></tr><tr><td>Independent study with guided online content</td><td>92 hours</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> If you have any questions about the content of this unit, please contact the course unit lead Dr Jonathan Hammond via email at <a href="mailto:marcello.morciano@manchester.ac.uk">jonathan.hammond@manchester.ac.uk</a>. If you have any other queries, please contact the PGT programme administrators via email at shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk.