PUB HLTH 3501OUA - Doing Business in Health

OUA - Trimester 3 - 2024

The healthcare system is complex with a myriad of organisations planning and delivering health care across the health continuum. The complexity is intensified by stakeholder?s expectations that health services meet budget allocations while also delivering safe and quality health care. Health services include pharmacies, allied health services, GP clinics, specialty clinics, imaging and diagnostic services and hospitals. This course gives an overview of the Australian health system and describes how these different providers intersect to deliver primary, secondary and tertiary health care to the community. The different approaches to `doing business? by public and private health care providers is explored and the funding models that affect the health sector are detailed. Various solutions like value-based funding, use of technology, workforce development and training, early intervention models and strengthening regional infrastructure have been proposed to address these challenges. This course will discuss these solutions in addition to students learning about the main drivers of the health `business?. Service quality ? including patient safety and accreditation - is discussed along with elements of human resource management, risk management, and governance that are unique to the health sector. Students will come away with an understanding of the key stakeholders in the health sector and will be equipped to address the problems facing delivery of sustainable and quality health care in Australia.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 3501OUA
    Course Doing Business in Health
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Trimester 3
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s OUA
    Units 3
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Restrictions Available only to University of Adelaide Open Universities Australia students
    Course Staff
    Dr Andrew Gardner
    Email: andrew.gardner@adelaide.edu.au 
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Identify the key players involved in the planning, delivery and maintenance of healthcare in Australia
    2 Identify the significant issues driving the demand for healthcare including demographic, epidemiological and social factors.
    3 Analyse the main problems facing the delivery of safe and sustainable healthcare for the Australian population
    4 Examine various financial, technological, governance, and social propositions to address the challenges facing the Australian healthcare system
    5 Apply a sustainable business framework to address the problems facing a mid-size health service
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 4, 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    3, 4, 5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Online Learning
    This course is only offered online. The primary means of communication outside of formal contact hours will be via MyUni. Announcements and discussion boards will be the main method of communicating with the student cohort. Course material will be supported by online resources via MyUni. Material will be sequentially released in line with the teaching and learning activities in each week.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is delivered online.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This equates to approximately 12 hours per week per course. This time commitment includes doing the relevant readings, preparing for online tutorials, other on-line activities and assessment tasks.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Assessment 1 Report: Comparative Analysis Summative 25% 1, 2
    Assessment 2 Report: Executive Briefing Paper Summative 25% 3, 4
    Assessment 3 Report and Pitch: Business Case Summative 35% 2 - 5
    Assessment 4 Reflection: Briefing Paper Summative 15% 1 - 5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Assessment Detail
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Submission
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.