For this coursework, you will need to produce a survey of public healthcare policies in the country of your residence or another country of your choice. The suggested title for the essay should be:

Review of Government’s Engagement in the

Private Health Sector in [Country of Your Choice]

Although the report should focus on one specific country, you may make comparisons with other countries so as to derive a critical analysis. Statistics or other forms of concrete evidence should be presented to support the statements made in your discussions and analysis. The report should follow the normal academic requirements for ethics, plagiarism, and referencing.

The report will need to examine the subject area of government’s engagement in private healthcare sector, according to the principles covered within the units. There is a practical element within the task where you need to devise solutions for certain problems. The research aims are as follows.

Research Aims:

1. Review the government’s participation in the private healthcare sector within the country, such as any policies to encourage the growth of private healthcare, offering government sponsorship, implementing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, etc.
   • Practical Element: Collect evidence to evaluate the major achievements of the government in promoting or incorporating private healthcare services, and investigate future challenges for the country in this area. You may compare the government’s achievements with other countries.
2. Examine the various levels of responsibility and ethical issues where there is a certain level of collaboration between public and private healthcare sources.
   • Practical Element: Present a relevant case study that demonstrates the government’s efforts in any collaborative efforts with private healthcare sector, and identify issues that may arise (or have arisen) in terms of ethics and responsibilities.

Data Collection:

You are encouraged to use secondary data for this research available via existing publications such as academic articles, books, research reports, publications by government and/or health authorities, statistical databases, and any relevant health-related sources pertaining to the subject. Using these sources will be sufficient to allow you to conduct a comprehensive investigation on the subject.

As part of the above, you may present any information or data in tables and use any supporting illustrations – these will not contribute to the overall word count.

It is vital that you reference all sources used in the report using the Harvard format.

We would suggest you avoid collecting primary data that involves human participants as this will require you to apply for ethical approval and is an inherently time-consuming process. Collecting primary data is not a requirement of this module.

Assessed Learning Outcomes:

The module learning outcomes (LOs) are listed below, which is fully assessed by this assignment.

50. Demonstrate a critical awareness and reflect on the purpose of healthcare, in promoting an overall structure and service to combat disease, prolong life and reduce inequalities in healthcare provision
50. Understand critically, and apply, the aspects of health economics, management and the essential elements of change management in healthcare management using a systematic and evidence-based approach, with particular reference to organisations with which you are concerned
50. Understand the international management implications of health policy and reflect on the practical constraints of application of policy, in relation to national policies and to international developments.
50. Develop and apply a critical understanding of the requirement for and use of ethics in healthcare provision, in national and international contexts

The given research aims are design to assess the LOs of the module as follows.

Formative Assessment:

As the formative component of this assessment, you will need to submit an initial research proposal which should cover the following:

• Specify the country of your choice and give brief justifications.
• Outline the main topics that you will investigate for each task.
• Explain your research plan, including expected research methods, sources of information, schedule, etc.

The research proposal represents a formative assessment. No marks will be allocated to this part of the assessment, but you will receive individual feedback which you can take on board towards the production of the final report.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Research Proposal: The recommended length is 500 words to detail the areas specified above.

Final Report: A limit of 3,500 words, excluding tables, illustrations, appendices, and references. You are permitted to exceed this limit by the normal 10% margin.

FEEDBACK:

Research Proposal: No marks will be allocated to the assessment of the research proposal. Students will receive individual written feedback.

Final Report: All students will receive individual written feedback for the assignment, as well as marks awarded based on the criteria specified below.

MARKS AWARDED FOR:

The grading criteria can be viewed at the next page.