Health Systems Development: A Focus on Health Service Delivery and Human Resources for Health 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

Health Service Delivery

This week you will learn about health service delivery, explore how to deconstruct the relationships between health service delivery and other aspects of the health system, as well as distinguish between strengths and limitations for different approaches used to transform health services

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what should give you pause

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Provides an introduction to the main building blocks of health systems and shed light on key components of well-functioning health systems

Emphasizes global health systems, their landscape, and the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes

Suitable for learners with no prior knowledge of health systems or those beginning to explore this field

Offers a solid foundation for understanding how health systems operate

Covers critical topics such as health service delivery, human resources for health, and assessing health impacts of policies

Provides opportunities to analyze country experiences and apply theoretical frameworks in the context of health systems

Reviews summary

Health systems development: a comprehensive foundation

According to learners, this course offers a strong foundation in health systems development, making complex ideas digestible for beginners and professionals. Students frequently highlight the practical relevance of Human Resources for Health (HRH) modules and appreciate the clear and engaging lectures from knowledgeable instructors. While some advanced learners found the content too foundational, recent reviews suggest the course has undergone positive updates, addressing prior concerns about outdated materials and enhancing the overall learning experience, including improvements in video quality and quiz alignment, making it a valuable learning resource.

Assessments are helpful for self-assessment but sometimes lack depth.

"The quizzes helped solidify my understanding, and the structured approach made complex topics accessible."

"I struggled with some of the quizzes not directly aligning with the lecture content, requiring re-watching."

"The quizzes were fair and truly reinforced my learning."

"I found the assessments too simple, and they didn't really test deeper understanding."

Lectures are generally clear but can occasionally be dry.

"I found the lectures clear and engaging, and the case studies were particularly insightful."

"I found some of the lecture delivery a bit dry and theoretical at times."

"The instructor's knowledge is evident, but I wished the presentation style was more dynamic."

"The content is robust, but I personally felt the delivery could be more engaging."

Course materials are actively improved and updated based on feedback.

"I appreciate how recent updates improved some of the older video quality, showing continuous improvement."

"I found the recent updates made a positive difference, addressing some prior criticisms."

"While some older references could be updated, the course is valuable for foundational knowledge."

"It's great that the instructors seem to be actively updating the materials based on feedback."

Strong and highly relevant coverage of human resources for health.

"The content on human resources for health challenges was especially relevant to my work."

"The segment on mitigating global HRH challenges was highly relevant."

"I particularly enjoyed the human resources for health module, which gave me new perspectives."

"The practical approach to HRH challenges was a standout feature for me."

Provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to health systems.

"This specialization provides a fantastic foundation for understanding health systems."

"Truly excellent for a beginner! The structured approach makes complex ideas digestible."

"As someone without a public health background, I found the overview very helpful."

"I gained a good groundwork from the course on health service delivery and HRH."

Course content may be too basic for those with prior experience.

"If you already have experience in health policy, it might feel a bit basic."

"I was looking for more advanced strategies for health system reform, but this was too foundational for my needs."

"The course content was not challenging enough for me as someone with prior experience, feeling very basic."

"I found it a decent primer, but as an advanced learner, it felt too superficial."

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: A Focus on Health Service Delivery and Human Resources for Health with these activities:

Review the book 'Health Systems in Transition' by The World Health Organization

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of health systems and their performance around the world. Reviewing this book will help you build a strong foundation in health systems and prepare you for success in this course.

View Food Systems Profile – Liberia on Amazon

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Read the book from cover to cover.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter.

Watch the video tutorials on the Coursera platform

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The video tutorials on the Coursera platform provide a clear and concise overview of the key concepts in health systems. Watching these tutorials will help you understand the material in this course more easily.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Watch the video tutorials in order.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Complete the quizzes at the end of each video.

Complete the practice questions in the course textbook

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Completing the practice questions in the course textbook will help you to test your understanding of the material and identify areas where you need additional review.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Read the chapter.
Complete the practice questions at the end of the chapter.
Check your answers against the answer key.

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Join a study group with other students in the course

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Joining a study group with other students in the course will help you to learn the material more effectively and prepare for exams.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Find a study group that meets your needs.
Attend study group meetings regularly.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Write a blog post about a health system that you are familiar with

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Writing a blog post about a health system will help you to synthesize your understanding of the material in this course and apply it to a real-world example.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Choose a health system that you are familiar with.
Research the health system and gather data.
Write a blog post that describes the health system, its strengths and weaknesses, and its impact on the population.

Review the book 'The Health System' by Thomas R. Oliver

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the health system in the United States. Reviewing this book will help you understand the complexities of the US health system and how it compares to other health systems around the world.

View Social Work with Young People in Care (Student... on Amazon

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Read the book from cover to cover.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter.

Create a presentation on a health system topic

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Creating a presentation on a health system topic will help you to develop a deep understanding of the topic and communicate your knowledge to others.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Choose a health system topic that you are interested in.
Research the topic and gather data.
Create a presentation that includes an overview of the topic, its strengths and weaknesses, and its impact on the population.

Mentor a new student in the course

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Mentoring a new student in the course will help you to solidify your understanding of the material and develop your leadership skills.

Browse courses on Health Systems

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Identify a new student who needs help.
Meet with the student regularly to answer questions and provide support.
Provide feedback and encouragement to the student.

Career center

Learners who complete Health Systems Development: A Focus on Health Service Delivery and Human Resources for Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Economist

Health Economists apply economic principles to the analysis of health care systems and policies. This course may be useful for Health Economists as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and how to assess the impacts of policies, plans and projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Economist

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research, analyze, and evaluate health policy issues, and develop recommendations for policy changes. This course may be helpful for Health Policy Analysts as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and how to assess the impacts of policies, plans and projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations. This course may be useful for Epidemiologists as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and how to assess the impacts of policies, plans and projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to the analysis of health-related data. This course may be useful for Biostatisticians as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and how to assess the impacts of policies, plans and projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Health Advocacy Manager

Health Advocacy Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve the health of a population or community. This course may be useful for Health Advocacy Managers as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and how to assess the impacts of policies, plans and projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Advocacy Manager

Health Informatics Specialist

Health Informatics Specialists use information technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care delivery. This course may be useful for Health Informatics Specialists as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and how to assess the impacts of policies, plans and projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Informatics Specialist

Chief Medical Officer

Chief Medical Officers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of medical care within an organization. This course may be useful for Chief Medical Officers as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Medical Officer

Health Care Executive

Health Care Executives are responsible for the overall management of a health care organization. This course may be useful for Health Care Executives as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Executive

Health Information Manager

Health Information Managers are responsible for the management and use of health information. This course may be useful for Health Information Managers as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Information Manager

Health Care Consultant

Health Care Consultants provide advice and guidance to health care organizations on how to improve their operations and performance. This course may be of interest to Health Care Consultants as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Consultant

Health Care Administrator

Health Care Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the provision of health care services. This course may be useful for Health Care Administrators as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Administrator

Health Services Manager

Health Services Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the provision of health services. This course may be useful for Health Services Managers as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Services Manager

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses provide nursing care to individuals and communities, and promote health and wellness. This course may be useful for Public Health Nurses as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Physician

Physicians provide medical care to patients. This course may be useful for Physicians as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician

Health Director

Health Directors are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing all phases of public health programs including health-service delivery, as well as developing strategies to improve health services delivery. This course may be useful for Health Directors as it provides an overview of the global health systems landscape, the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes, and the key components of well-functioning health systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Director