Healthcare management, 5 Credits

Contents

This is an introductory course to health care management. The course gives an overview of various aspects of management in both healthcare systems and health care organisations. Several topics are discussed: management basics (e.g., management styles, roles of managers and leadership, communication); human resource management and performance management; some aspects of financial management, project management, strategic management and problem-solving; quality management and change management; as well as some business aspects of health care management. All topics are given from international perspective, with direct examples from health care practices in different countries. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate the given material, reflecting upon the health care practice in their own country.

Expected learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to: – understand the principles of effective management; – understand and discuss various aspects of management in health care; – assess organisational needs and analyse organisational problems; – create strategic plans; – understand and explain principles of total quality management, human resource management and performance management; – interpret basic economic information (e.g., data presented in annual accounting books).

Required Knowledge

For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health sciences, environmental health or social sciences. English proficiency equivalent to English A from Swedish Upper secondary education. (IELTS (Academic) with minimum score 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL (Paper based with minimum score 530 and minimum TWE 4). TOEFL (Internet based with minimum score 72 and minimum Written 17)). Basic entrance requirements for higher studies in Swedish language proficiency is also required if the course is taught in Swedish.

Form of instruction

The course comprises two on-campus weeks and off-campus weeks in between. Teaching on the course is concentrated to two on-campus weeks and comprises lectures, seminars, group works and cases. The off-campus weeks are devoted to students’ own work on an extensive course project. Supervision and support are provided during the off-campus weeks. A lot of the course load is based on the individual student work that should be done prior to on-campus lectures and seminars. Students are required to read the course book before the start of the course. The additional literature (articles, cases, etc.) should be read before the relevant on-campus lectures and seminars. Students should expect two intense on-campus weeks with an extensive off-campus home assignment to be completed and presented before the end of the course. The cases, the course project and the course projects seminars are compulsory.

Examination modes

The examination is done in three parts: cases, a course project and a written examination. Analysis of several management cases is an integrated part of the on-campus weeks (grading scale “Fail” and “Pass”). Successful fulfillment of the case analyses is a first requirement for completing the course. A course project is an extensive exercise requiring implementation of knowledge acquired during the course weeks and by own learning. Successful fulfillment of the course project is a second requirement for completing the course. The grading scale for the course project is “Fail” and “Pass”. At the end of the course there is a written exam. The grading scale for the exam is “Fail”, “Pass”, and “Pass with distinction”. In order to be awarded “Pass” for the course, the grade “Pass” is required both for the written exam, the course project and the cases. In order to be awarded “Pass with distinction” for the course, the grade “Pass with distinction” is required for the written exam and the grade “Pass” is required for the course project and the cases. For students who do not receive a passing grade at the first written exam on the course, a re-sit exam is arranged. Correspondingly, an extra seminar is arranged for students who do not receive a passing grade on the course project; and additional assignments are given to students who do not receive a passing grade on the cases. A student who fails two examinations has the right to a change of examiner according to the University’s set of rules. A request to change examiner should be sent to the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.

Other regulations

Start-of-study respite A respite for the start of studies may be granted under special circumstances. Examples of such circumstances are illness, military service, pregnancy, care of children or other nursing responsibilities etc. A negative decision about start-of-study respite may be appealed to Överklagandenämnden för högskolan. Course roll call Attendance is compulsory for the course roll call. A student may be relieved from this obligation only through a decision by the course coordinator and only under special circumstances. Non-attendance without a valid reason may lead to the seat being given to another applicant. A decision about this is made by the course coordinator.

Academic credit transfers are always reviewed individually according to the University’s set of rules and academic credit transfer regulations.