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92050 Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care

UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health: Nursing, Midwifery and Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Postgraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject covers the essential knowledge of the policy and political environment in which health services operate. Health services managers need to understand the political environment in which decisions are made, how health policies are formulated and enacted and how they are received. The subject covers the theoretical framework for studying policy and politics particularly in relation to government policy, the ways policies are formulated, the balance of power between different stakeholders in the development of health services policies and decisions, how the health and political systems manage issues and the influence of the stakeholders and the media in the management of health services issues.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students will be able to analyse:

  1. emerging health issues that impact on the management of health services
  2. the use of power in decision-making in government and organisations
  3. the behaviour of governments in terms of their political orientation
  4. existing government policies on a range of health areas
  5. the development of particular major health policies using a theoretical framework for policy analysis
  6. the role of the media in the emergence of issues related to health services management
  7. the role of senior management, stakeholders and governments in managing issues and developing policies in relation to emerging issues.

Contribution to graduate profile

The aim of this subject is to enable students to develop knowledge of the policy process of governments and the health industry, and understanding of the concept of power in organisations and skills in the study of politics to apply to the management of health services.

Content

  • Introduction to policy, politics and power
  • Policy development and the media
  • Government process of policy development
  • Power of individuals
  • The policy cycle and an example of policy
  • Power in groups
  • Equity, access and cost — analysis of the difference in political parties
  • Policy development example – the NSW State Health Plan
  • Introduction to the study of politics and media watch example
  • Power in organisations
  • policy development and the political process in the USA