HLTH 4011 - Issues in Health Care

Course Description

This course explores current issues in health care, and the Canadian health care system. Students review issues from a range of perspectives, such as those of an individual, family member, health care professional, lobby group, health care administrator, or politician. Critical thinking skills and knowledge of health determinants in global and Canadian contexts are developed in small groups. Issue analysis touches on legal and ethical frameworks, and students build on their understanding of the code of ethics and the scope of practice for their health care profession.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the history and social values of the Canadian health care system and the federal-provincial partnerships in "Medicare"
• Describe the determinants of health and understand how they contribute to the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• Develop an understanding of the environmental contexts in which issues arise.
• Discuss the ethical and legal issues that can arise in health care.
• Apply principles of scholarship and professionalism in the academic and practice/community setting
• Use critical thinking skills to analyze issues from different personal, organizational, and political perspectives
• Develop personal and professional approaches to advancing advocacy issues for clients, their families, and interest groups.
• Communicate advocacy issues through logically prepared brief reports, professional posters, and other audience-appropriate media

Course topics

• Module 1: Foundations
• Module 2: Health Care System
• Module 3: Issue Analysis
• Module 4: From Knowledge to Action

Required text and materials

There are no required materials for this course.

Optional materials

The following textbook would have been purchased in HLTH 3101. Students who did not take HLTH 3101 and/or don't already own this textbook, may wish to source it on their own for supplementary and optional reading:

1. Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2019). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools (8th edition). The Foundation for Critical Thinking. Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9781538134948

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Project.

Recommended requisite(s)

Familiarity with health care issues in Canada and fourth-year standing are strongly recommended.