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William Brieger, DrPH

Welcome to our course on Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems for Global Health. During the course we will provide you with an overview of the main elements or building blocks of a health system based on the World Health Organization’s guidance. You will have the opportunity to explore four main areas of health systems in global health with particular reference to low and middle income countries. The first area focuses on understanding health service organizations, the challenges. Our second module looks at WHO’s six major building blocks or health systems components with particular reference to primary health care and the need for community participation in planning, delivery and assessment of these systems components. in our third module we examine the specific systems component of human resource development and capacity building. The fourth area consists of health policy making and advocacy with stakeholders. This course is geared toward learners who are already involved in managing health and development programs on the ground in low and middle income countries or who are preparing for such a management role. The main lectures will span a four-week period with approximately 2-4 hours of viewing learning materials per week. We have one peer graded essay wherein you will use skills in ‘organizational’ diagnosis to better understand a challenge in an organization where you are or have worked. There are also quizzes. We hope you will engage with your fellow learners in discussion forums to learn from each other.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Understanding Organizations and How They Change
Health Systems are human organizations. Organizations have structure, purpose and membership. To remain “Healthy” an organization must adapt to its environment, whether that be funding and policy changes or expectations of its clients. In this module we will focus on diagnosing factors related to the health of organizations and consider strategies to help organizations adapt.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines core functions of health systems, such as service delivery and human resources
Explores community participation and policy development in strengthening health systems
Focuses on health systems in low and middle income countries, relevant for development practitioners
Peer-graded essay and quizzes offer opportunities for practical application and feedback
Led by Dr. William Brieger, a respected figure in global health
May require some background in health systems or development for optimal understanding

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Reviews summary

Health systems fundamentals for professionals

According to learners, this course provides a positive and relevant exploration of health systems, particularly emphasizing the WHO building blocks. It is widely seen as highly beneficial for professionals working or aspiring to work in low and middle income countries. Many appreciate the expert instruction and the focus on practical application of concepts. The peer-graded essay is often highlighted as a valuable, albeit sometimes challenging, exercise that helps solidify understanding. While the content is generally well-received, some learners mention that the pace can be fast and the course may require prior knowledge or experience in the field, potentially making it difficult for absolute beginners. Discussion forums receive mixed reviews regarding activity levels.
Knowledgeable instructors share valuable insights.
"The instructors are very knowledgeable and present the material clearly."
"I appreciated the depth and insight provided by the instructors on complex topics."
"Their expertise made the learning experience much richer."
Assignment is valuable for applying organizational diagnosis.
"The peer essay was challenging but helped consolidate understanding through application."
"I found the organizational diagnosis essay prompt very relevant and useful for thinking about my workplace."
"While grading felt inconsistent at times, the process of writing the essay was highly beneficial."
Covers the core WHO building blocks effectively.
"Solid course covering the WHO framework for health systems."
"The lectures provided a very clear explanation of the six major components or building blocks described by the WHO."
"Understanding the WHO's guidance on health systems was a key takeaway for me."
Provides concepts directly applicable in global health roles.
"Excellent overview of health systems building blocks. The focus on LMICs is particularly valuable for my work."
"This course provided me with practical tools and strategies I could apply immediately to my work in health management."
"Perfect course for consolidating knowledge if you already work in global health. Johns Hopkins quality is evident."
"I found the content directly applicable to challenges I face in my current role managing a health program."
Discussion forums could be more active.
"The discussion forums weren't very active, which was a bit disappointing as I hoped for more peer interaction."
"I wished there was more engagement from other learners in the discussions."
May be challenging or fast-paced for beginners.
"The pace is too fast for a beginner like me; it assumes too much prior knowledge in health management."
"I felt this course is better suited for intermediate learners already familiar with global health concepts."
"It was quite intense for a four-week course, requiring significant time commitment to keep up."
"I struggled a bit without a strong background in public health systems."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems with these activities:
Review basic statistics and epidemiology concepts
Reviewing basic statistics and epidemiology concepts will help you to better understand the research discussed in the course
Browse courses on Statistics
Show steps
  • Review your notes from previous statistics and epidemiology courses
  • Take an online refresher course
  • Read a book or article on basic statistics and epidemiology
Compile and review supporting materials
Reviewing notes, assignments, and practice questions will ensure that you have a more solid foundation for the course
Show steps
  • Read the course syllabus and identify key topics
  • Gather notes, assignments, and practice questions from previous courses
  • Organize materials into a logical order
  • Review materials regularly
Read 'Global Health 101' by Richard Skolnik
This book provides a comprehensive overview of global health, including health systems and health policy
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow a copy of the book
  • Read the book
  • Take notes on the key points
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Complete practice questions on health systems
Completing practice questions will help to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need to improve
Browse courses on Health Systems
Show steps
  • Find practice questions in your textbook or online
  • Complete the practice questions
  • Review your answers and identify areas where you need to improve
Follow a tutorial on how to use a specific health system tool
Following a tutorial will help you to learn how to use a specific tool that can support your work in health systems strengthening
Browse courses on Health Systems
Show steps
  • Find a tutorial on how to use a specific health system tool
  • Follow the tutorial
  • Practice using the tool
Attend a workshop on health systems strengthening
Attending a workshop will allow you to learn from experts and network with other professionals
Browse courses on Health Systems
Show steps
  • Research workshops on health systems strengthening
  • Register for a workshop
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively
  • Network with other professionals
Develop a plan for strengthening a health system
Creating a plan will force you to think critically about the material and apply it to a real-world scenario
Browse courses on Health Systems
Show steps
  • Identify a specific health system to focus on
  • Research the health system and identify areas for improvement
  • Develop a plan to address the identified areas for improvement
  • Present your plan to a group of peers for feedback
Write a blog post on a topic related to health systems
Writing a blog post will help you to synthesize your knowledge and share it with others
Browse courses on Health Systems
Show steps
  • Choose a topic to write about
  • Research the topic
  • Write a blog post
  • Publish your blog post

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Health Policy Analyst
A Health Policy Analyst researches the impact of public policy on health outcomes, using data to make recommendations. This course helps build a foundation for Health Policy Analysts by providing an overview of the components of a health system and how all of its parts interact with one another. Additionally, the module on health systems policy development and advocacy approaches provides a solid background in the policymaking process.
Healthcare Administrator
A Healthcare Administrator plans, directs, and coordinates medical and healthcare services. The course can help build a foundation for Healthcare Administrators by providing them with an overview of the structure and function of a health system and how it works. The module on health service organizations and how they change would also be especially beneficial for a Healthcare Administrator.
Public Health Manager
A Public Health Manager plans, organizes, and manages public health programs. This course can help build a foundation for Public Health Managers by providing them with a solid understanding of the core components and functions of a health system. The module on community systems would be particularly beneficial for Public Health Managers who want to understand how to engage with communities in order to improve health outcomes.
Health Program Manager
A Health Program Manager plans, organizes, and manages health programs and initiatives for a variety of organizations. The course can help build a foundation for Health Program Managers by providing them with an overview of the different components of a health system and how they work together. The module on health systems policy development and advocacy approaches would also be especially beneficial for this role.
Health Educator
A Health Educator plans, develops, and implements educational programs to promote healthy behaviors and improve health outcomes. This course may be useful for Health Educators who want to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the health of populations.
Health Economist
A Health Economist analyzes the economic aspects of health and healthcare. This course may be useful for Health Economists who want to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the cost and effectiveness of health systems.
Health Services Researcher
A Health Services Researcher conducts research to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of health services. This course may be useful for Health Services Researchers who want to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the quality of health care.
Health Systems Analyst
A Health Systems Analyst analyzes and evaluates health systems to identify areas for improvement. This course can help build a foundation for Health Systems Analysts by providing them with an overview of the different components of a health system and how they interact with each other.
International Development Specialist
An International Development Specialist plans and implements development programs in low- and middle-income countries. This course may be useful for International Development Specialists who want to gain a better understanding of the health systems in these countries.
Medical Doctor
A Medical Doctor diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries. This course may be useful for Medical Doctors who want to gain a better understanding of the health system and how it can be used to improve patient care.
Nurse
A Nurse provides care to patients in a variety of settings. This course may be useful for Nurses who want to gain a better understanding of the health system and how it can be used to improve patient care.
Pharmacist
A Pharmacist dispenses medications and provides advice on their use. This course may be useful for Pharmacists who want to gain a better understanding of the health system and how it can be used to improve patient care.
Social Worker
A Social Worker helps people to overcome social and economic problems. This course may be useful for Social Workers who want to gain a better understanding of the health system and how it can be used to improve the well-being of their clients.
Health Insurance Specialist
A Health Insurance Specialist helps people to understand and choose health insurance plans. This course may be useful for Health Insurance Specialists who want to gain a better understanding of the health system and how it can be used to help people get the coverage they need.
Health Policy Advisor
A Health Policy Advisor advises governments and other organizations on health policy. This course may be useful for Health Policy Advisors who want to gain a better understanding of the health system and how it can be used to improve the health of the population.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems.
This toolkit provides practical guidance on how to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries. It covers a wide range of topics, including health financing, human resources, service delivery, and governance.
Offers a comprehensive overview of global health, including its history, major challenges, and approaches to addressing them. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the complex issues involved in global health and how health systems operate in different contexts.
This framework provides a comprehensive overview of the key components of health systems. It can be used to assess the performance of health systems and to identify areas for improvement.
This website provides a wealth of resources on health systems strengthening. It includes case studies, toolkits, and other materials that can be used to improve the performance of health systems.
This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the global health workforce crisis. It identifies the challenges facing health systems in recruiting, training, and retaining health workers.
This guide provides practical advice on how to advocate for health policies and programs. It covers a wide range of topics, including developing an advocacy strategy, building coalitions, and communicating with policymakers.
This website provides information about the Rockefeller Foundation's work on health systems strengthening. The Rockefeller Foundation's website includes a wealth of resources on global health, including health systems strengthening.
This website provides information about the Commonwealth Fund, which foundation that supports research on health care and health policy. The Commonwealth Fund's website includes a wealth of resources on health systems strengthening.
This website provides information about the Global Fund, which partnership that invests in programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The Global Fund's website includes a wealth of resources on health systems strengthening.
This website provides information about the Health Policy and Systems Research Network, which global network of researchers who are working to improve the performance of health systems.

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