The overall module aim is to provide students with a range of ways of thinking about health services and health systems. Drawing on epidemiology, history, medicine, economics and sociology, the module will help students understand how services function, the reasons services have developed in the way they have, the basis of some universal, persistent problems, and possible solutions to such difficulties.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to:

• Describe some of the basic functions of health services and outline the reasons why services have developed in the way they have.
• Explain how the disciplines of epidemiology, history, medicine, sociology and economics each contribute unique insights to understanding how a health service functions.
• Describe and give examples of the inputs, processes and outcomes of health services.
• Critically examine responses to challenges to health services in different countries.
• Analyse key, persistent and widespread problems in providing health services and suggest approaches to resolving these problems.

Session Content

The module is expected to cover the following topics: 

• Inputs to health services.
• Diseases and medical knowledge.
• Health professionals.
• Sources of finance.
• Historical influences.
• Need, demand and use.
• Paying providers.
• Service-user interaction.
• Quality assessment.
• Quality improvement.

Mode of delivery

This module will be delivered by face-to-face (in person) and online teaching modes. Where specific teaching methods are noted in this module specification these will be delivered by face-to-face (seminars and some lectures) and online sessions (some pre-recorded lectures and Q&A sessions). There will be a combination of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning) as well as recorded or self-directed study (asynchronous learning).

Assessment

The assessment for this module has been designed to measure student learning against the module intended learning outcomes (ILOs) as listed above. The grade for summative assessment(s) only will go towards the overall award GPA. 

The summative assessment for this module is by a 1500 word written assignment to be submitted in week 10 of term 1.

Credits

• CATS: 10
• ECTS: 5

Module specification

For full information regarding this module please see the module specification.

Please note: information based on the 2025-26 module specification subject to change for 2026-27 entry.