Health Systems Development: Introduction to Health Systems from Coursera

This specialization is intended for people interested in health systems and how they function. Participants will learn about the global health systems landscape and the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes.

This specialisation is divided into three courses which are offered as massive online open access courses (Courses 1-3), and a fourth course which is offered as part of the Online MPH degree (capstone). The Health Systems Development specialisation is geared toward learners who have no prior knowledge of health systems or those who are starting to explore this area of study. Overall, sessions in this specialisation span 16 week with approximately 96 hours of viewing learning materials per week. Formative assessments in the form of quizzes and activities are incorporated throughout the weeks to help learners gauge their level of depth of understanding and to prepare them for their summative assessments.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore a range of areas within health systems. The first course will introduce the main building blocks of health systems and shed some light on key components of well-functioning health systems including how health system performance is assessed. In course two, students will learn how to conduct a health impact assessment and how to assess the impacts of policies, plans and projects, as well as how that support decision-makers make choices regarding alternatives and improvements to prevent disease or injury and to actively promote health. The third course explores human resources for health and service delivery. In this course, students will learn about and analyse country experiences in transforming health services delivery, and interventions and to address human resources for health challenges at a global level.

By the end of this specialisation, learners should be able to identify key components of, and critically compare, different health systems; analyse country experiences in transforming services; and apply theoretical framework for assessing the health impacts of policies, plans and projects.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Health Systems

This week you will learn about what is meant by health systems through Identifying key components of well-functioning health systems, and the importance of the interplay between the six building blocks listed in the WHO Building Blocks framework . You will also learn about the differences between health system functions, how to distinguish between various health financing models, and the impact of health system organisation on health seeking behaviour.

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the fundamentals of health systems, which is important for understanding how healthcare is delivered around the world

Develops knowledge of health systems governance and priority setting, which are essential for effective healthcare management

Provides practical insights into assessing health system performance, empowering learners to evaluate healthcare outcomes

Emphasizes the importance of universal health coverage, promoting equitable access to healthcare

Introduces the core components of well-functioning health systems, providing a solid foundation for understanding healthcare delivery

Teaches methods for conducting health impact assessments, enabling learners to evaluate the impact of policies on health outcomes

Reviews summary

Clear overview of health systems fundamentals

According to learners, this course provides a solid and clear introduction to health systems, making it ideal for beginners. Students appreciated the concise and engaging lectures, particularly on the WHO Building Blocks framework and Universal Health Coverage. The quizzes were helpful. However, some found the content too basic or superficial, desiring more in-depth case studies or practical applications. It serves as a strong theoretical foundation.

Quizzes and structured content reinforce understanding.

"The quizzes were helpful for checking my understanding throughout the modules."

"The assessments reinforced my learning effectively."

"The structured approach and clear explanations made learning enjoyable."

"I found the readings to be relevant and supplementary to the lectures."

Provides a clear, comprehensive, and engaging overview for beginners.

"Excellent introduction to health systems! The WHO Building Blocks framework was explained very clearly."

"As someone new to the field, this was a perfect starting point."

"The lectures were concise and engaging, presenting complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner."

"I learned so much about different health financing models and their impact on health-seeking behavior."

Pacing can be slow; limited opportunities for interaction.

"The pacing felt a bit slow sometimes, and I wished there were more opportunities for peer interaction."

"The delivery could be more dynamic; I noticed forum discussions were inactive."

Content is largely theoretical, lacking in-depth practical application.

"I found this course to be too basic for my background in public health; it felt like a rehash."

"I wished there was more in-depth case studies or practical exercises in the course."

"The content felt superficial, often like a Wikipedia summary with no real insights."

"It felt a bit surface-level at times, without real-world application examples."

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 Health Systems Development: Introduction to Health Systems with these activities:

Review fundamental concepts of public health

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Refreshing your understanding of public health concepts will provide a strong foundation for your study of health systems.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Review the core principles and theories of public health
Consider how public health principles apply to health systems

Review basic statistics and data analysis techniques

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Refreshing your understanding of statistics and data analysis techniques will enhance your ability to interpret and analyze health system data.

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Review statistical concepts and methods
Practice applying data analysis techniques to health-related data

Compile notes and review past coursework

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Reviewing past coursework and notes can help refresh your understanding of health systems and key concepts.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Gather all notes, assignments, and past coursework
Organize and review the materials
Identify areas where you may need further clarification

Three other activities

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Join a study group or discussion forum

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Engaging in discussions with peers can provide diverse perspectives, clarify concepts, and enhance your understanding.

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Identify or join a study group or discussion forum
Actively participate in discussions
Share your knowledge and ask clarifying questions

Explore external resources and tutorials

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Delving into external resources and tutorials can provide additional insights and enrich your understanding of specific health system topics.

Browse courses on Health Impact Assessment

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Identify relevant external resources and tutorials
Review and analyze the materials
Apply the acquired knowledge to your understanding of health systems

Develop a presentation or infographic

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Creating a presentation or infographic allows you to synthesize and present your understanding of health systems in a structured and visual manner.

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Choose a specific topic or aspect of health systems
Research and gather relevant information
Design and develop your presentation or infographic
Share your presentation or infographic with others

Career center

Learners who complete Health Systems Development: Introduction to Health Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Systems Analyst

As a Health Systems Analyst, you'll study health systems at a granular level. You'll learn about health policies and the impact they have on various aspects of health systems. This will help you to understand the complexities of health systems and how to improve them. You will also develop skills in data analysis, which are essential for evaluating the effectiveness of health policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Systems Analyst

Health Policy Analyst

As a Health Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing and evaluating health policies. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in health systems and health policy analysis. You will learn about the different types of health systems, how they are financed, and how they deliver care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Health Program Manager

As a Health Program Manager, you will be responsible for planning and implementing health programs. This course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to develop and manage effective health programs. You will learn about the different types of health programs, how to design and implement them, and how to evaluate their effectiveness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Program Manager

Healthcare Consultant

As a Healthcare Consultant, you will advise healthcare organizations on how to improve their performance. This course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to understand the healthcare industry and to provide effective consulting services. You will learn about the different types of healthcare organizations, the challenges they face, and the best practices for improving their performance.

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Health Economist

As a Health Economist, you will use economic principles to analyze health care issues. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the economics of health care and to conduct economic analyses of health care policies and programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Economist

Global Health Specialist

As a Global Health Specialist, you will work to improve the health of people in developing countries. This course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to understand the challenges facing global health and to develop and implement effective global health programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Global Health Specialist

Public Health Researcher

As a Public Health Researcher, you will conduct research to improve the health of populations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to design and conduct public health research studies and to analyze and interpret the results of those studies.

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Health Policy Advocate

As a Health Policy Advocate, you will work to influence health policy decisions. This course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to understand the health policy process and to advocate for policies that improve the health of the public.

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Health Administrator

As a Health Administrator, you will manage the day-to-day operations of a health care organization. This course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to understand the health care industry and to manage a health care organization effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Administrator

Health Insurance Analyst

As a Health Insurance Analyst, you will analyze health insurance data to identify trends and patterns. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the health insurance industry and to analyze health insurance data effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Insurance Analyst

Medical Underwriter

As a Medical Underwriter, you will assess the risk of issuing health insurance policies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the health insurance industry and to assess the risk of issuing health insurance policies effectively.

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Actuary

As an Actuary, you will use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess the financial risks of insurance companies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the insurance industry and to assess the financial risks of insurance companies effectively.

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Statistician

As a Statistician, you will collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to collect, analyze, and interpret data effectively.

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Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you will use data to solve problems and make decisions. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to collect, analyze, and interpret data effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst