The aim of this course is to undertake an in-depth investigation into an aspect of health systems management of interest to them, for example, a contemporary health and social care issue. This will allow the development of research skills throughout the course and across the programme. The curriculum includes: Developing a good Health Systems research question; Purpose and choice of outcome measurement (structure, processes, or output); Ethics; Developing research tools; Quantitative approaches for conducting health systems research; Basic statistical and descriptive analysis; Qualitative approaches for conducting health systems research and Basic Qualitative analysis and coding
Contemporary Health
This course provides a solid foundation in health systems science, focusing on the complexity of health systems in relation to contemporary health challenges, both globally and within the South African context. Health systems are inherently complex, requiring an adaptive ‘systems thinking’ approach to understand their many moving parts. The course will consider specific components of a health system while also keeping the bigger picture in mind. A unique aspect of this course is its use of different lenses to analyse health system issues. We will continuously shift perspectives to explore contemporary health challenges through various lenses, enriching our understanding of the complexities involved.
This course aims to challenge students to consider the opportunities for innovation and how best to achieve this in a healthcare context, whilst introducing real-life case studies of improvement and innovation in global healthcare settings. The Course Curriculum includes: Innovation in healthcare and its importance; Recognising innovation opportunities through identification and prioritising of solutions for unmet needs; Challenges of change; Skills and tools for advocating viable innovation models; How to design sustainable innovation; Implementing and aligning innovation with its environment; Innovative patient involvement in healthcare improvements, Technology, and digital based innovations; Risk analyses and tender specifications development.
This course applies systems-thinking to health systems, quality improvement, and administration to understand how interdependent work together. This course will allow students to gain an understanding of the components that ensure the system is Healthy, with an emphasis on health systems finance, governance, and health economics in the South African context. The course will use real data and case studies to teach the concepts, frameworks and tools related to finance, but will also examine how changes, inadvertent or deliberate tests of change, can influence the system as a whole. The course will focus on the fundamentals of healthcare finance and how to plan, manage and measure health finance performance.
Health analytics is an interdisciplinary field that combines data analysis, statistics, computer science, and healthcare and health systems science to generate insights and improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. In today's world, healthcare generates vast amounts of data, and health analytics is crucial in helping us make sense of this data to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities to improve patient care, operational efficiency, and overall healthcare outcomes. By harnessing the power of data, health analytics has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach healthcare, from clinical settings to public health initiatives and healthcare management. In this course, we will explore the foundational concepts and techniques of health analytics, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of how data can be used to make informed decisions in healthcare.
This module highlights the critical need for responsible leadership in health systems amidst a global leadership crisis. It introduces the concept of responsible leadership, emphasizing its relevance to healthcare, and fosters leadership competencies aligned with 21st-century health sector challenges. Students explore systems thinking, quality improvement, health policy, finance, and human resources while developing ethical decision-making skills and a personal leadership identity. Designed for aspiring professionals in public, private, or NGO health sectors, the course addresses the growing demand for leaders who balance power with competency and adopt a stakeholder-focused, ethical approach. By reimagining leadership paradigms, this module equips students to navigate the complexities of healthcare and drive meaningful, responsible change in health system governance.
The purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of how to conduct research, building on what they gained through the research methods course.
The research project lays a base for further study at the Master’s and Doctoral levels. However, research is not just important for further studies, we also need to take a methodological approach to understand problems in the workplace in order to make evidence-based decisions for quality improvement and understanding patient and healthcare worker needs, etc. Therefore, the skills gained through this independent research will also help in the workplace. Furthermore, the research project is intended to allow you to further pursue an aspect of Health Systems Science that interests you and thereby become a bit more of an “expert” in that part.
Learning in the Workplace
The Learning in the Workplace course provides students with 260 hours of practical experience in a relevant health organisation throughout the year. It aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, allowing students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. Through hands-on involvement, students develop essential management, technical, and professional skills while gaining insights into the health system and its challenges. The course encourages critical thinking and self-reflection, helping students to identify with their professional roles and grow personally. Additionally, it enhances communication and observational skills, fostering a deeper understanding of workplace culture. Overall, this experience equips students with valuable competencies that support their academic progress and prepare them for future careers in the health sector.