Course description
Course outline
This course examines how recent reforms and innovations are shaping the future development of health care systems in the British National Health Service and the United States. What factors determine population health? Is health care a right or a commodity? What factors led to the development of a universal health care system in the UK? Do advances in scientific medicine preclude the possibilities for universal access to health care? How can health care systems cope with spiralling costs, the rising incidences of chronic illness and the use of new medical technologies? How have market reforms, bureaucracy and technologies transformed the professional powers of doctors? What is the role of the media in shaping public engagements with science? Is greater consumer choice leading to better health care or new forms of consumer-driven medicalisation? This course provides students with an opportunity to critically engage with the most challenging issues shaping the architecture of contemporary and future health care systems.
Assessments
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% | |
| Essay (2000 words) | Sumsch1 Week 4 | 60.00% |
| Report | Sumsch1 Week 4 | 20.00% |
| Presentation | Sumsch1 Week 4 (15 minutes) | 20.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.