MPH Public Health - Health Management, Planning and Policy (International)12-month duration

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Public Health)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- Analyse principles, models, and functions of management and leadership including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, monitoring and supervision, and decision making in the context of health and health care system;
- Discuss current issues in health policy and those related to improving quality, access and acceptability of health services;
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the field of health management, planning and policy making in developing health systems with particular reference to public and not-for-profit private sectors;
- Review types of policies, situations and issues in the field of health management, planning and policy making in developing health systems with particular reference to public and not-for-profit private sectors;
- Analyse the effects of factors such as gender, poverty and social inclusion, principles of good governance, and professional ethics in the delivery of healthcare;
- Consider respect and value for the cultural diversity, regional, global and intersectoral cooperation for the development of comprehensive initiatives that result in improved health care and status for populations;
- Design coherent programmes and prepare action plans for implementation of programmes including the management of resources;
- Critically appraise current issues in health policy and those related to improving quality, access, affordability and acceptability of health services;
- Take a proactive role in problem solving, planning and managing tasks and working in a team in an appropriate role;
- Evaluate different approaches in the areas of health financing, financial management, human resource development, monitoring and evaluation, and quality improvement, and their application to the context of developing health systems;
- Critically apply health management, planning and policy theory and principles, including systems thinking to management of resources, strategy development, dealing with emergencies and quality improvement within a local and national context;
- Analyse operational problems and theories as handled in practice by undertaking and assessing specific health programmes in a simulated or real working environment;
- Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and developing professional relationships with members of health team, external partners and relevant organisations;
- Develop and evaluate research proposals which focus on priority problems in health service policy and management;
- Evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the field of health management, planning and policy;
- Critically review literature, formulating a conceptual framework and appropriate methodology for a health system related dissertation topic or research project;
- Critically apply research skills to the field of health management, planning and policy.
- Use epidemiological/statistical and qualitative research skills to analyse health needs and trends;
- Appraise different strategies for control of diseases and other priority health systems and services.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:-
- Formulation of essential skills for postgraduate level study including literature searching, critical reading, group-working, assignment planning, data presentation and IT skills within a structured framework with particular emphasis on the challenges facing those returning to study.
- Obtainment of a capacity to evaluate their own achievement and that of others.
- Employment of self-direction and effective decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
- Increased capacity of independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development.
- Enhanced ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally to an appropriate audience.
- Formulation of the ability to engage critically in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.
- Ability to undertake a higher research degree and/or employment in a higher capacity in professional practice.

Assessment

Achievement for the MPH(I) - HMPP will be assess by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the programme and will include:-
- evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry within the discipline;
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- evaluating and critically appraising received opinion;
- making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.