Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Health System Design
Course Code
VVDG_006
Branch of Science
Health care sciences and services; Health sciences
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Digital Health; Health Management; Public Health; Rehabilitation
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Daiga Behmane
Structure Unit Manager
Daiga Behmane
Structural Unit
Health Management Teaching Group
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the study course is to ensure theoretical and practical knowledge of the construction of modern healthcare systems – their objectives, tasks and basic building principles, as well as key current approaches in the planning, management and provision of healthcare services. The study course is focused on health policy and health systems problems analysis and performance asessment.
Preliminary Knowledge
No specific prior knowledge is required. General academic skills are required to complete the course: the ability to work with scientific literature, including in English, critical and analytical thinking, digital skills for working in an e-study environment and preparing presentations, as well as the ability to independently plan study work.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.• Know the goals, elements, types, and associated organization models of healthcare systems • Understand the principles of health system governance • Understand the classification systems to used in healthcare
Skills
1.• Describe the health system using the concept of system theory • Understand the health system operating orinciples • Perform comparative analysis of health systems
Competences
1.• Analyse health system problems and develop appropriate health policy recommendations • Perform performance assessment of health systems
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
Independent learning of literature according to learning outcomes of each topic |
||
|
2.
Self-assessment tests |
20.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Student completes self-examination test after learning each topic (7 topics), which is a prerequisite for learning the next topic |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Group work 1: System stakeholder analysis |
10.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Students perform case analysis and produce a brief description of the group’s work |
||
|
2.
Group work 2: System performance assessment |
10.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Students perform case analysis and produce a brief description of the group’s work |
||
|
3.
Group work 3: Health system performance analysis |
10.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Students perform case analysis and produce a brief description of the group’s work |
||
|
4.
Multiple choice test |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Time-limited multiple choice test for all course topics and recommended literature |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Healthcare system from the perspective of System's theory
Description
Issues covered: System theory; Approach to system's thinking; Characteristics of the health system, Aims and interests of health system participants |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The aim, objectives and elements of the health system
Description
Issues covered: nature, values and principles of EU health policy, conceptual framework, objectives and results, evaluation of system performance |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Healthcare system from the perspective of System's theory
Description
Issues covered: System theory; Approach to system's thinking; Characteristics of the health system, Aims and interests of health system participants |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Types of health care systems and their characteristics
Description
Issues covered: Types of health systems (OECD) and their characteristics |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Types of health care systems and their characteristics
Description
Issues covered: Types of health systems (OECD) and their characteristics |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health systems governance, regulation and the role of the state
Description
Issues covered: Principles of Health system Management (TAPIC Framework), Health system Regulation, State role |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health systems governance, regulation and the role of the state
Description
Issues covered: Principles of Health system Management (TAPIC Framework), Health system Regulation, State role |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health information classification systems
Description
Issues discussed: Nature of classification, information classification systems: ICD, ICF, ATC/DDD |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health information classification systems
Description
Issues discussed: Nature of classification, information classification systems: ICD, ICF, ATC/DDD |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health care reforms and problem analysis
Description
Issues discussed: Objectives and characteristics of reforms, Steps in the reform process, Construction of the problem tree |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health care reforms and problem analysis
Description
Issues discussed: Objectives and characteristics of reforms, Steps in the reform process, Construction of the problem tree |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Conceptual approaches of the healthcare organisation
Description
Issues acovered: Integrated care, Patient-centered care, Value-based healthcare |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Conceptual approaches of the healthcare organisation
Description
Issues acovered: Integrated care, Patient-centered care, Value-based healthcare |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health care reforms and problem analysis
Description
Issues discussed: Objectives and characteristics of reforms, Steps in the reform process, Construction of the problem tree |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
28 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Latvija: Valsts veselības profils 2025
2.
Behmane, et al. (2019). Latvia: Health System Review 2019, Health Systems in Transition. vol.21, no 4, 2019, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, WHOSuitable for English stream
3.
Savigny D. (2009). Systems thinking for health systems strengthening. WHO. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
4.
Behmane, Dūdele. (2022). Vērtībās balstītas veselības aprūpes koncepcija, Amerikas Tirdzniecības palāta Latvijā
5.
WHO (2010). Monitoring the building blocks of health systems: a handbook of indicators and their measurement strategies. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
6.
Figueras J., McKee M. (2012). Health Systems, health, wealth and Societal Well-being. European ObservatorySuitable for English stream
7.
Scott L., et al. (2016). Strengthening Health System Governance Better policies, stronger performance. Euroobservatory, WHOSuitable for English stream
8.
Roberts J. (2008). Getting Health Reform Right.: A guide to improving performance and equity. Oxford university press. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Larsson S. et.al. (2023). The Patient Priority. Boston Consulting GroupSuitable for English stream
2.
Tsiachristas A., et al. (2013). Exploring payment schemes used to promote integrated chronic care in Europe. Health Policy, Vol. 113, Issue 3, p296–304Suitable for English stream
3.
Heinemann S., et al. (2013). Managed competition in the Netherlands—A qualitative study. Health Policy, Vol. 109, Issue 2, p113–121;Suitable for English stream
4.
Health system performance studiesSuitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
WHOSuitable for English stream
2.
Health Policy JournalSuitable for English stream
3.
Health Policy and PlanningSuitable for English stream