Part $1$ Core Content

Module $4$ is divided into $4$ weeks, and in each week you were important ideas concerning health policy. Review Session $1$ from Week $1215$ and jot down the key learning points from these sessions:

$1.$ Health Policy and Systems Research

The purpose of this session is to provide an introduction to the concept of policy in health systems sciences and how it is situated within health policy and systems research $($HPSR$).$ Policy is a broad overarching theme that plays an important role in the governance, management and leadership of health systems. Over the next few sessions, the complexities associated with policies are unpacked in relation to its influences, processes and consequences.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

Explain the role of policies in health systems.

Discuss the complexities associated with policy implementation.

Justify the value of health policy and systems research to policy$-$makers.

Reflect back to HSS I, where you extensively learned about the WHOs Building blocks of health systems $,$ in relation to the various policies that support the overall goals and objectives of health systems. Policies must be grounded by empirical research which offers clear guidance in supporting the attainment of these objectives, hence research is an important element to the production of new knowledge in support of the policy$-$making process.

Health policy and systems research has evolved considerably over the past two decades, where its sphere of influence has broadened and become more complex. However, its central focus remains to inform and influence health policies and systems, to pursue health goals, with the objectives of equity and quality improvements $($Peters$,2018).$ Health policy and systems$-$based research, therefore, focus their efforts on a number of factors, including:

Research focused on health services as well as the promotion of health.

Concerns for global and international issues as the promotion of health.

Research on or of policy which addresses the politics of health systems and health systems services.

Promotes work that explicitly seeks to influence policy.

Health systems goals and the values that underpin them are enduring and should continue to be examined through HPSR$.$ Contexts will change, and new challenges will emerge, but research will still be needed to inform how to achieve the multiple health systems goals $$ improving effectiveness, equity and efficiency, expanding health services coverage, and enhancing people$$s financial protection, while minimising costs and improving accountability and trust. HPSR provides the tools for Ministries of Health and other health organisations to become learning organisations, serving to lead and adapt to changes in the health sector.

$2.$ The Policy Process

The purpose of this session is to introduce you to the policy formulation process, which entails a number of interrelated and interdependent elements. One of the main components of health systems sciences is the study of how healthcare is delivered to the population and how quality in healthcare can be improved. Designing and implementing health policy impacts many aspects in the delivery of healthcare service, such as regulating the healthcare industry, reducing barriers to access, addressing health inequalities, and establishing requirements and mandates that can lead to improved healthcare. Improving healthcare and enabling access for all is one of the core mandates of the Sustainable Development Goals, and as such, a number of policies have been created to reach the $2030$ targets.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

Illustrate the policy$-$making process.

Describe each step in the policy process.

Discuss the complexity and interrelationships of the stages of policy$-$making processes.

$3.$ Policy Analysis

The purpose of this session is to describe the concept of policy analysis. You will learn about the policy triangle as a way of understanding the tensions between the actors, context, content, and processes involved in analysing policy.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

Explain the concept of policy analysis.

Describe the policy analysis triangle.

Discuss the interrelationship between actors, context, content, and process within the policy analysis triangle.

Defining the problem: The policy analysts must ask themselves $$What is the problem?

What is the relevance of the problem to society or the population? What will happen if nothing is done? Is the problem well$-$articulated or should the problem be re$-$defined?

Determining the evaluation criteria: What are the goals of the policy, or what should these goals be$?$

What metrics have been used to evaluate the success of a policy? Are these metrics appropriate?

Identifying alternative policies: What other policies have been created to address a similar problem?

Are there other options that are more viable? Which option is the most cost$-$effective, and which is the most feasible