Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Health Systems
Module code
1808
Module Organiser
Dr Dina Balabanova
Contact email
Dina.Balabanova@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Public Health & Policy
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ).
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Health systems, Governance, Organisation, Financing, Health infrastructure,
Human Resources, Health reform, Goals / MDGs, Public-private, Health Policy,
Non-communicable diseases, Globalisation, Research, International / global
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To demonstrate understanding of the functioning of health systems, drawing
on relevant disciplinary perspectives and enable students to undertake
analysis of health systems in developed and developing countries. This will
involve understanding the core building blocks of health care systems and
modes of operation, the implications of different approaches to system design
for access, quality, and broader outcomes, and highlighting the equity impacts
of different design features.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:




Define the concept of a ‘health system’, and its core objectives, elements
and functions. Understand the debates around boundaries of a health
system, and major theories and research approaches related to the
understanding of health systems;
Drawing on a range of key approaches and models, to analyse health
systems and the role of historical and political factors influencing these;
Assess the role of different health care system configurations to promoting
good health, access to services, equity, and economic and wider social
outcomes;
Critically appraise and apply key concepts and approaches to health
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
Target audience
systems evaluation and performance measurement, the role of policy
actors, and global influences on health systems;
Be able to apply a health systems approach to major health challenges in a
range of different contexts.
It is expected that the module will be of interest to students on the MScs in
Public Health, Health Policy Planning and Financing and Public Health in
Developing Countries.
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):
1.
What is a health system? What are the health systems for?
2.
Health system functions: Financing.
3.
What makes up a health system? Governance function.
4.
Health system functions: Creating resources.
5.
Health system functions: Provision.
6.
Global Health Systems, Local Health Providers and Praxis: the View from
Below.
7.
Universal coverage as a key health system goal.
8.
Pluralistic health systems: what challenges for regulation? The role of the
private/voluntary sector in health systems- models of engagement.
9.
Evaluating health systems and their performance.
10.
Globalization: panacea or poison for public health?
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
A reader specifying essential and further readings, and online resources in the
area of health systems will be provided to students. All readings are available
through the library or the internet.
Teaching and learning
methods
The module includes a combination of lectures, seminars, group activities, and
self-guided learning. Students will be divided into seminar groups covering
high- or low-income settings (and possibly middle-income) according to their
preferences. The seminars will be to a large extent student-led and will focus
on practical case studies chosen to illustrate key policy issues, and will be
supplemented by private study.
Assessment details
The overall mark will consist of 75% for the editorials and 25% given for group
work.
A. Individual assessed written ‘editorial’ of up to 1500 words, excluding
references, figures and tables. It will be written in the style of BMJ or the Lancet
and examples will be provided. The topic can be selected from a list of
questions provided by the course organiser or seminar leaders, or chosen by
the students. The questions will draw on the concepts covered in the lectures
and essential readings. Students who are required to re-sit, or granted a
deferral or new attempt, specifically for the editorials, will be required to revise
and resubmit the same editorial.
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B. The group work mark will consist of: 75% aggregate mark through peer
assessment (using a blind vote), and 25% given by the seminar leader. Students
will be provided with clear criteria for assessment to guide them in preparing
their presentations.
Assessment dates
Assessments will be due on 12 February 2016.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the next assessment date/deadline will be the standard School-recommended
date in mid/late September 2015.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Wednesday lunchtime and Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2014-15, the module will start on Wednesday 13 January 2016 and finish
on Friday 12 February 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot C2.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:

Contact time ≈ 32 hours

Directed self-study ≈ 25 hours

Self-directed learning ≈ 43 hours

Assessment, review and revision ≈ 50 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
None.
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 60-70 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. Other applicants meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a
place in the order applications are received, until any cap on numbers is
reached. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next
time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module.
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Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, early application is recommended. All
applications should be submitted by, at latest, 8 weeks prior to the start of
the module. Formal registration will take place on the morning of the first
day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 16 July 2013 by Dina Balabanova; 20 July 15 minor updates by SDB
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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