The health policy and management master’s program established in 2008. The program grants graduate a master’s degree in Health Policy and Management (HPM) based on either thesis or non-thesis options. As an alternative, the student can study towards a higher diploma in HPM. Students in this program are encouraged to conduct research and study independently and interactive teaching and learning methodology are used throughout the program. The masters program in health policy and management has positive impact and contribute to the Palestinian health care institutional building process by training qualified human resources who can take active part in developing and implementing health policies and programs.
- To develop students’ abilities in examining new management theories and tools relevant to healthcare institutions and systems
- To develop students understanding of the health management practices through examining theory in relation to practice.
- To develop students understanding of the health policy development and implementation process within a wider environmental determinants.
- To develop the participants’ capabilities in conducting health services research and using evidence in the decision-making processes.
- To equip the students with knowledge and skills which promote efficient and effective use of the limited resources of the health sector.
At the end of the program, the students will be able:
- Recognize approaches and techniques in health management and economic particularly those relevant to the Palestinian situation.
- Analyze the challenges and gaps facing the Palestinian health organizations and the Palestinian health system.
- Contribute to the development of appropriate policies and strategies for addressing public health problems/ challenges.
- Demonstrate effective performance in conducting the essential leadership and management functions.
- Apply knowledge and skills gained to design and implement effective management systems for health organizations and health system institutions.
- To design, implement, and evaluate programs and policies in public health.
- To conduct scientific research and using appropriate data and methods of analysis.
It is planned to have a group of about 15 students in each intake to the programme in the first year. This number will be reviewed in terms of the demand and need for the graduates in the next 10 years. Students will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Applicants should have a four-year Bachelors degree with at least cumulative average 70% (rated as good) in a relevant area. This may include health, medical, social, economic and business sciences.
- Applicants should have good command of English. Students who don’t have a certificate of good command of English must pass a proficiency test conducted by the University.
- A minimum of two years experience post B.Sc. in a health related field.
- Applicants should have the motivation and potential to play a leadership role in health care settings. A special attention is paid to this particular aspect by interviewing the candidates during the selection process.
The main target candidates for the program are those persons who are already working in the health and health related sectors. After finishing the programme, the graduates are expected to assume managerial responsibilities at middle and senior levels or have key roles in policy programmes planning and implementation in the Palestinian health care system. They can be employed in managerial or supervisory positions at the primary health care centres and clinics, hospitals, and at the central level of the governmental, non-governmental, international and private health institutions. Graduates will also be expected to assume responsibilities in academic and health services research as well as health planning institutions. Given the large number of health institutions besides potential positions in other type of institutions either in the public or private sectors in Palestine, there is a need for hundreds of qualified personnel for these positions in the Palestine.
General objective:
Our mission is to provide quality education and research in the area of health policy and management and consequently to contribute to development of a quality health care services in Palestine.
At the end of this program, the student will be able:
- To demonstrate understanding of health management practices through examining theory in relation to practice.
- To demonstrate understanding of selected contemporary health policy issues.
- To apply the health policy analysis, development, and implementation process within a wider environmental determinants.
- To develop and apply policy and management research tools and methods.
- To demonstrate abilities in promoting efficient and effective use of the limited resources of the health sector.
- To manage, monitor, and assess the effectiveness and quality of the public health program, project, or intervention.
- To implement best practices of management and supervision within a public health agency.
- To apply effective financial management processes and controls in a public agency context.
Requirements:
- A holder of a Baccalaureate degree with an average of not less than 70%
- At least 2 years of working experience in health field.
- Competence in English language
- Passing a personal interview
Graduates Scope of Work:
The main target candidates for the program are those persons who are already working in the health and health related sectors. After finishing the program, the graduates are expected to assume managerial responsibilities at middle and senior levels or have key roles in policy programs planning, development and implementation in the Palestinian health care system. They can be employed in managerial or supervisory positions at the primary health care centers and clinics, hospitals, and at the central level of the governmental, non-governmental and private health institutions. Graduates will also be expected to assume responsibilities in academic and health services research as well as health planning institutions.
Description of the Curriculum:
The program grants the graduating students a master’s degree in Health Policy and Management based on either thesis or non-thesis options. As an alternative, the student can study towards a high diploma in this program.
The student has to complete a total number of 37 credit hours (CH) distributed as following:
- Mandatory courses: 24 CH.
- Elective courses for thesis track: 7 CH & 6 CH thesis.
- Elective courses for non-thesis track: 11 CH & 2 CH Seminar Project.
Quality in healthcare and patient safety track:
General Objective: To provide training in health policy and management focusing on quality management and patient safety practices within the current ever-evolving contexts, that increases participants abilities and skills to deliver quality and safe healthcare, eventuality promoting the performance of the Palestinian health system and the health of the Palestinian population.
The Specific Objectives are:
- Strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in healthcare quality management and patient safety.
- Develop participants’ skills in assessing, designing, implementing and evaluating quality and safety initiatives and programs.
- Develop participants’ abilities in critical appraise of literature that incorporates measurement of variation and to undertake quality and patient safety research projects.
- Provide participants with the principles of utilization management in healthcare.
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the program-track, the students will be able to:
- Recognize concepts and approaches of patient safety, quality of care, quality improvement and quality management.
- Conceptualize, analyze and resolve problems related to quality and safety in healthcare delivery within the Palestinian context and other places
- Identify and apply quality and safety principles and approaches like quality improvement cycle, variations, system thinking, and using data.
- Design and manage quality and safety systems and processes to improve organizational performance.
- Provide leadership and champion role in advocating for quality and safety strategies in public and non-public health services organizations.
- Lead change strategies at health facilities and community programs with the aim of improving quality and safety at health facilities.
- Apply basic principles of utilization management and the use of relevant clinical information to make management decisions.
Graduates Scope of Employment
After finishing the programme, the graduates are expected to assume managerial and quality coordination responsibilities at middle or senior levels in public, private and none-governmental local health organizations and international agencies. All hospitals and primary health centres currently assign coordinators for quality and patient safety. Moreover, the graduates will have key roles in policy programmes planning and implementation in the Palestinian healthcare system. Moreover, the graduates can work as advisors and conduct health researches related to quality and patients safety.
Requirements
Students will be selected based on the following criteria:
- A holder of a Baccalaureate degree with an average of not less than 70% in a relevant area. This may include health, medical, social, economic and business sciences.
- At least 2 years of working experience in health field.
- Competence in English language
- Passing a personal interview
Implementation (advisory) plan
The distribution and sequence of course as well as the course instructors are shown in the following tables:
| Semester 1 | ||
|
Course Number |
Course title |
Credits |
|
8081 501 |
Introduction to public health |
2 |
|
8081 508 |
Bio-statistics & statistical packages |
3 |
|
8087 500 |
Introduction to economics* |
0 |
|
8087505 |
Organization and management of health services |
2 |
|
8081523 |
Epidemiology (Elective) |
2 |
|
Total credits |
7+2 |
|
| Semester 2 | ||||
|
Course Number |
Course title |
Credits |
||
|
8081 561 |
Research methods |
2 |
||
|
8087518 |
Quality and accreditation in healthcare |
3 |
||
|
8087 601 |
Health economics |
2 |
||
|
8087 660 |
Ethical & legal issues in healthcare |
1 |
||
|
8087 503 |
Comparative healthcare systems |
2 |
||
|
Total credits |
10 |
|||
| Semester 3 | ||||
|
Course code |
Course title |
Credits |
||
|
8087 502 |
Health policy |
2 |
||
|
8087517 |
Patient safety & Risk management |
3 |
||
|
8087504 |
Management health information system |
2 |
||
|
8087 660 |
Thesis |
3 |
||
|
|
Total credits (thesis track) |
10 |
||
|
Course code |
Course title |
Credits |
||
|
8087 502 |
Health policy |
2 |
||
|
8087 504 |
Management health information system |
2 |
||
|
8087517 |
Patient safety & Risk management |
3 |
||
|
|
Elective course |
2 |
||
|
|
Elective |
2 |
||
|
|
Total credits (non-thesis) |
11 |
||
| Semester 4 | ||
|
Course code |
Course title |
Credits |
|
8087611 |
Resources Utilization Management (Elective) |
2 |
|
8087 615 |
Residency |
3 |
|
8087 660 |
Thesis |
3 |
|
|
Elective |
2 |
|
Total credits (thesis) |
10 |
|
|
Course code |
Course title |
Credits |
|
8087 615 |
Residency |
3 |
|
|
Seminar project |
2 |
|
8087611 |
Resources Utilization Management (Elective) |
2 |
|
|
Elective course |
2 |
|
|
Total credits (non-thesis) |
9 |
| Course title | Course description | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
| Introduction to Public Health
8081510 |
The course introduces students to the various disciplines of public health. Topics covered by the course include: history of public health, the modern public health, core functions of public health, measurements of health, principles of communicable and non-communicable disease control, introduction to the Palestinian health care system, social determinants of health, mental health, environmental and occupational health, ethics of health, and other hot topics of public health. |
2 |
|
| Epidemiology
8081523 |
This course introduces the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. It is necessary to give the student an understanding of disease present in the community in the past and present, it will allow the student to conceptualize, analyze, and evaluate an epidemiological study relevant to the community. Topics covered: measures of disease frequency & associations, study designs used in epidemiological research, concepts of confounding and bias, screening & diagnostic tests, causation concepts, and health services. |
2 |
|
| Research methodology
8081513 |
The course focuses on practical issues in the conduction of epidemiological, and health services research studies with an emphasis on survey research methods. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of research will be covered. Topics will cover conceptual phase of the research process including research ethics, formulating studies, aims, objectives, quantitative and qualitative research designs, validity and reliability, quantitative and qualitative sampling strategies, hypothesis formulation and testing, measurement types, the implementation phase of the research process, data collection methods and criteria, the analysis & interpretation phase of the research process and dissemination, proposal development phases, and research critique. |
2 |
|
| Biostatistics & Statistical Packages
8081512
|
This course focuses on the statistical description of data and inference with applications to research in public health. Topics covered: descriptive statistics, graphical displays of data, introduction to probability, expectations and variance of random variables, confidence intervals and tests for means, differences of means, proportions, differences of proportions, chi-square tests for categorical variables, hypothesis testing, an introduction to analysis of variance, regression and multiple regression. Statistical software will be used to supplement hand calculation. |
3 |
|
| Health policy
8087502 |
The course focuses on how the public policy concerning medical care and public health is developed and by whom. It explores the theoretical approaches to policy making. The contextual factors (i.e., political, socioeconomic, ideology, culture, and history) and how do they influence the structure of and changes to a national health system are discussed. The formulation and implementation of health policy, the international organizations impact on national health policies. Finally, the design and implementation of health care reform and some country experiences are discussed. |
2 |
|
| Comparative health care systems
8087503 |
The course provides a framework within which health systems can be analyzed and understood including the structure, funding, health care delivery models and factors affecting health systems. The course examines what national health systems are, how they differ, and what measures are being implemented in different countries to improve their performance. It also profoundly analyses the Palestinian health care system and provides an overview of different models of health care systems within international context and compares them. |
2 |
|
| Management health information system
8087504 |
The course is introduces students to health information system, its structure, components, and uses in decision making, policy and planning. It concentrates on health information systems and subsystems, data resources, and common problems related to health information systems. It explores the information needs and the selection of proper indicator and ways to enhance their use in decision-making and planning. It examines routine and non-routine data collection methods and introduces the advantages of available software possibilities to support management activities. |
2 |
|
| Introduction to Economics
8087500 |
This is a remedial and a prerequisite course for the health economics course. The objective is to introduce students without pre-knowledge in economics to the basics of macro and microeconomics including the nature of the economic problems, demand and supply, market, the concepts of General Domestic Product and National Product, National Income, foreign payment balance, and countries financial policies. |
2 |
|
| Organization and management of health services
8087505 |
The course aims at enhancing students’ managerial skills to advance their capacity as decision makers both at the macro and micro levels. It introduces the core themes of organizational behaviour and fundamentals of organizational behaviour e.g. studies on motivation, leadership, power and influence, groups, culture. Then it expands on the management, functions, and managerial roles. The managing of organizational processes includes effective communication, decision-making, management of organizational change and development. |
2 |
|
| Health economic
8087601 |
The course introduces students to the science of health economic, its implications to the health sector and the market approach and the economic characteristics of health care. It explores the relationship between health, economic growth and development. Moreover, it introduces the economic principle of the market failure in health care and issues of moral hazard and adverse selection. Cost analysis concept and the tools used for economic evaluation for health programs are also discussed. It discusses different methods of financing health care financing and to familiarize participants with the Palestinian health care financing. |
2 |
8087500 |
| Managerial financing for health care
8087603 |
The course is introducing students to basic accounting, financial reporting systems, understanding and analyzing financial statements. Topics include financial management of working capital and investment decision models. The course develops basic knowledge of cost accounting principles and the concepts of cost/profit centers, marginal costing and their use in health care. The preparation and control of budgets will be a major part of the course and students will be exposed to the essential ingredients of business planning and the basic elements, skills of contracting and negotiating. |
2 |
8087505 |
| Residency
8087615 |
In this course, the student takes a position in a health care or public health institution. The residency requires students to apply and test the theories, skills and knowledge acquired in the academic setting. Practical application of skills and knowledge is an essential part of professional degree programs, offering learning opportunities not available in classrooms. The residency is a planned and supervised learning experience gained through first-hand observations and operational responsibilities in a health services organization. It is coordinated with the target institutions and mentors within the institutions will guide the students. The students will be supervised and monitored by the course instructor at the School of Public Health. In addition to gaining some breadth of experience within the host organization, students identify and work toward the solution of a specific problem. In the end of the residency period, students will have to provide a report of the residency project according to the guidelines of the course. |
2 |
|
| *Thesis 1 &2
8087660 8087660 |
Thesis 1 aims at providing the students with an opportunity to apply research knowledge in designing a workable research proposal. At the end of thesis 1, students are required to present their research proposal for approval by the faculty before starting in (Thesis 2). Thesis 2 consists of implementing the approved research work plan. Each thesis student will have one supervisor. The supervisor can be one of the program faculty members or another person from inside the university from a relevant field and who have the qualification required by the Deanship of Graduate Studies. |
6 |
|
| **Seminar project
8087663 |
This course is designed to enable students to develop a community project proposal. Students will be guided through development of project: background, objectives, methods and evaluation. |
2 |
|
| **Comprehensive exam – 8086777 |
*Student with thesis track.
** Student with non-thesis track.
Elective courses
| Course title | Course description | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
| Human resources management
8087602 |
This course deals with concepts related to human resources for health with emphasis on issues related to planning for developing and retaining personnel. Issues include planning for human resources at national and local levels, staffing, managing personnel services, and competency specifications for personnel, recruitment and selection, assigning and balancing staff, personnel evaluation and development of human resources. Jobs satisfaction, motivation and effective communication skills in health care organizations are also tackled. |
2 |
8087505 |
| Quality in health care
8087604 |
This course is designed to introduce different concepts and approaches of quality improvement in health care and their application. The course assumes no previous knowledge in total quality management in health care. The course aims at providing knowledge & skills in quality management for senior leadership in health care. |
2 |
8087505 |
| Ethical and legal issues in health care
8087605 |
The course focuses on ethical theory and ethical issues in health care, policy and management as well as the regulatory framework concerning health and health care in the country. Topics will include patient informed consent, privacy, medical malpractice, resources allocation (equity) and control of health hazards. The course will also examine legal environment concerning the establishment and control over health care facilities, licensure of health professionals, drug production and administration. |
1 |
|
| Hospital organization and management
8087606 |
The course aims at examining the organization, the operations and administration structure of hospitals. Different organizational models, roles and responsibilities of the hospital governance, committees and medical staff are examined. Moreover, operations management and evaluation of the performance hospitals and their units, process and capacity analyses are examined. Risk management, malpractice as well as strategic development of hospitals are discussed. Different Palestinian hospitals (public, private, NGO) will be studied and ways of development with regard to the topics will be discussed at class. |
2 |
8087505 |
| Seminar in contemporary issues in Palestinian health policy
8087607 |
This course aims at introducing students to major contemporary health policy issues facing the Palestinian health care system. The course will focus on issues concerning provision of health care. Financing, insurance, user charges and role of private and public sector will be tackled. Some sessions can also be devoted to issues such as medical malpractice, policy issues related to pharmaceuticals sector, health personnel payments and human resources production, health technology, and quality health care. |
2 |
8087502 |
| Evaluation in health care
8087609 |
This course introduces students to evaluation research in health care context. It discusses the design and implementation of health program evaluations. The terminology of evaluation and different evaluation approaches including stakeholder analysis, rapid assessments, participatory evaluations and other methods. Students will also learn how to write an evaluation report and proposals. |
2 |
8087505 |
| Strategic planning in health care
8087610 |
The objective of the course is defining main concepts of corporate strategy and strategic management in theory and practice. It will introduce the tools of strategic analysis of the environment such as PEST and Porter’s analysis, the analysis of the environment such as SWOT, and 7Ss analysis. It will also introduce GAP analysis, strategic option appraisal and the management of change as an inevitable process in most organizations. The course will discuss issues relates to marketing of health care organizations through the understanding of markets, analysis market opportunities and planning the marketing mix. |
2 |
8087505 |
| Social policy
8084646 |
The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the development of social welfare and welfare states, social welfare policy and services, social needs and values. The analysis of social welfare policy and services will be examined with an emphases on issues related to those policies and services that affect health and well-being including education, housing, health care, social security and personal social services (e.g. child, elder and mental care). The course also analyses social policies in Palestine and contrasts them with health policy priorities and developments. |
2 |
8087502 |
| Fundamentals of demography
8081517 |
This course discusses theories of demographic transition theory and their application population changes in developing countries, with specific application to Palestine. The course will also explain the different theories, (social, economic theories) including indicators and measures used in studying population and demographic change used for population projection and estimation. The course will discuss the effect of population growth and demographic changes including migration on the social, economic, environmental and health conditions of people utilizing different development theories and arguments. |
2 |
|
| Qualitative research methods
8081522 |
The course offers theoretical information that are related to the designing of qualitative research methods, including: major concepts and methods, sampling techniques, data collection techniques and data analysis. |
2 |
|
| Evaluation in Health Care
8087609 |
The course introduces students to evaluation research in health care context. It discusses the design and implementation of health program evaluations. The terminology of evaluation and different evaluation approaches including stakeholder analysis, rapid assessments, participatory evaluations and other methods. Students will also learn how to write an evaluation report and proposals. |
2 |
|
Quality in healthcare and patient safety track:
| Course title | Course description | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
| Quality and accreditation in healthcare | The course introduces students’ quality management and improvement concepts that can be directly applied in the healthcare setting. These concepts are Quality management systems (Quality control, Quality assessment, Quality assurance, Total quality management quality improvement and quality of care development (ISO certification, Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCI), WHO patient safety friendly hospital initiative). Moreover, the course covers types, methods/tools used in quality measurement and analysis and interpretation of improvement measures in healthcare.
|
3 |
|
| Patient Safety &Risk management in healthcare | The course describes patient safety and improvement concepts that can be directly applied in the healthcare setting. These concepts are: unsafe care, burden of unsafe care, adverse events and medical errors, safety culture, safety improvement process, patient safety solutions, planning patient safety programs. Moreover, the course introduces students to risk management concept and process. It includes identifying risks, quantifying and prioritizing/ ranking risks, mitigation and reduction strategies, monitoring and assessing risks, and developing risk management plans.
|
3 |
|
| Resources Utilization Management in Healthcare
|
Utilization management (UM) (also called utilization review) monitors appropriateness of care, resource allocation and demonstration of medical necessity using specific criteria. This course aims to introduce participants to concepts and tools of utilization management used to evaluate the medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of the use of healthcare services, procedures, and facilities under the provisions of safe care. The course describes the origins and purpose of UM, including a comparison of concurrent and retrospective review. It discusses UM process which includes reviewing use, delivery and cost effectiveness of healthcare provided. It also provides an overview of UM roles and responsibilities and defines medical staff and other healthcare providers’ responsibility for the process. |
2 |
|