Health and Medical Care Management, 10 credits

Bachelor's degree or professional qualification worth at least 180 credits in public health science, healthcare or other relevant social sciences subject area. Proficiency in the English language documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL with a total score of at least 79 (internet based), 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), IELTS with a total score of at least 6,0 (no band less than 5,0), or other documentation that certifies English language skills equivalent to English B at Swedish upper secondary school.

Medically guided healthcare management (medical management) is enacted by founding decisions on actions, resources, work and organisation on medical knowledge, i.e. nowledge on how health gains can be best achieved. Central to the approach is to apply evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and organise their implementation as to ensure that right actions are taken by staff with the right competence at the right moment in a safe patient process where non-value adding waits and waste are eliminated.

The aim of the course is to introduce students to how the organisation and management of healthcare can be developed to enable the application of medical management. The WHO building blocks for health systems (service provision, human resource management, health information and communication, medical products and technologies, financing and governance) are used as a framework to describe healthcare management functions.

During the course students are introduced to substance matter knowledge and applications of methods in healthcare improvement as well as medical management research.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
- describe, based on Richard Bohmer's model for the continuum of medical knowledge from experimental to established, how evidence-based medical practice is organised as a sequential and evidence-generating medical practice as an iterative patient process;

- describe and analyse practice cases as to optimal organisation and management approaches to reach best possible health outcomes;

- describe healthcare management functions according to the WHO health system building blocks by analysing challenges for healthcare service provision;

- explain and apply relevant methods for change management as well as management and leadership research.

Skills and abilities

- analyse models of healthcare management;
- initiate, lead and support improvement efforts, including the planning, use of appropriate research and project management methods, clear presentation and discussion of conclusions;
- apply and explain relevant qualitative research methods for studies of management, leadership and change work.

Judgement and approach
- assess health care organisations in relation to relevant scientific, societal and equity aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of the ethical aspects of research and development.

The course is organised as a research project studying a topical challenge in healthcare and how it can be best met by medical management. Student groups carry out sub-projects focusing on each of the WHO health system building blocks. In these sub-projects students will apply the theoretical and methodological knowledge outlined in the syllabus.

Concepts, theories and methods are presented in prerecorded lectures and reference material available on Canvas.

The topics introduced will include:

• The WHO health system building blocks
• Bohmer's healthcare model based on the characteristics of medical knowledge
• Principles of medical managem
• Business model analysis
• Change management and leadership
• Project management
• Quality improvement
• Presentation technique
• Management research
• Qualitative research methods

The course will offer a mix of interactive lectures, seminars, group-work and individual assignments. Web-based learning and interaction will be used. Major parts of the course will be allocated to individual and group work assignments. Students will write diaries with reflections and comments on specific topics brought up during the course. Learning will be facilitated primarily through a group project in a health care setting, during which acquired knowledge and skills are applied.

- Individual written assignment.
- Individual contribution in written report and oral presentation of group work.
- Individual contribution during other compulsory course activities.

Requirements for the grade Pass with distinction (VG) are VG on the written assignment and on at least one of the other assignments, and pass (G) on remaining assignments. Det exakta innehållet i gruppuppgifterna definieras inför varje kurstillfälle.  

Compulsory participation
Participation in seminars and group work and in some lectures is mandatory. The course director assesses if, and in that case how, absence can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course director's instructions, the student's results for the course/respective part will not be registered in LADOK.

The student has the right to write the exam six times. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations he/she is encouraged to visit the study advisor.

The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in will not be counted as an examination.

The course has been cancelled and was offered for the last time in the spring semester of 2023. The course has been replaced with another, and examination will be provided according to the guidelines in the syllabus for 4HM021.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Education.

The course language is English.