1. Health Systems and Policy

Description:

This course is the introductory course for the MHM program.  It will provide students with an understanding how the Canadian health care system is organized as well as how services are financed and delivered.  This will be done through an assessment of the Canada Health Act and various pieces of related provincial health care legislation.  Discussions will include an exploration of the for-profit and not-for-profit mix of services within Canada.  In addition, students will be exposed to the principles of evidence-based decision-making and various health policy analysis tools. Current issues and trends in health policy (both within Canada and internationally) will serve as cases to which students apply those tools.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

·         describe how health care is organized, funded and delivered within Canada;

·         demonstrate an understanding of current issues and trends in health policy; and

·         describe and apply health policy analysis tools in examining complex health policy issues.

Delivery Methods:

This course will be offered through a combination of online and on-site delivery.  Topics will initially be explored online through a review of documents, discussions, and course assignments.  Students will then be required to meet on-site for an intensive 3-day period (October 15-17, 2010) of presentations and discussions (session begins on Friday at 10 a.m. and ends 1 p.m. on Sunday).  This is the first of two on-site residency requirements for the program.  Students will be responsible of all costs associated with travel and/or accommodation to attend each of the two on-site residency periods. 

2.      Evaluating  Sources of Evidence for Management and Evaluation

Description:

This course will equip students with an understanding of evaluating sources of evidence to support decision making within a clinical environment.   Students will be exposed to a range of methodological issues, their impact upon research and how information is to be interpreted. 

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

·         understand qualitative and quantitative research methodologies;

·         critically read and evaluate evidence to make practice decisions that lead to best client outcomes

Delivery Methods:

This course is delivered in an online only format.  Topics are explored through a review of documents, course assignments, case studies and online discussions.

3.      Health Management Foundations I

Description:

This course will provide students with exposure to the management principles and practices involved in the delivery of health care products and services in for profit and not for profit environments. The impact of cultural and ethical issues will be considered on workplace structure and the selection and development of marketing and communication strategies. Course content includes:

o       human resources;

o       legal issues;

o       negotiations;

o       organizational behaviour; and

o       marketing principles and theories and their application in health care management.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

• demonstrate how managers can create healthy workplaces;
• understand different approaches to the evaluation of employee performance;
• understand the role and impact of collective agreements on the workplace;
• understand the key concepts of strategic marketing and how to apply them in the health care sector (both for profit and not-for profit)
• have working knowledge of the elements of the marketing mix and how to apply them to health care marketing situations
• be aware of the interrelationship between marketing and other functional areas within healthcare organizations (e.g., operations, human resources, information systems and finance).

    Delivery Methods

    This course is delivered in an online only format.  Topics are explored through a review  of documents, course assignments, cases and online discussions.

4.      Health Management Foundations II

Description:

This objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and practical issues related to accounting and finance and their uses in planning, decision making and control in health care management. Course content includes:

o       basics of managerial finance;

o       basics of managerial accounting;

o       budgeting; and

o       forecasting. 

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

• understand the concepts of risk and required return;
• analyze the set of investment opportunities, identifying those that will create shareholder value
• define the different types of costs including direct costs, indirect costs, variable costs, fixed costs, product costs, and period costs;
• determine the full cost/direct costs of a given object such as a product, a service, and a department;
• conduct detailed variance analysis in evaluating the performance of a business unit in an organization; use relevant cost information in making product/service decisions including pricing, outsourcing, operations planning, and capital investments

Delivery Methods:

This course is delivered in an online only format but may have an on-site period.  Topics are explored through a review of documents, course assignments, and online discussions.

5.      Elective

Description:

The elective course is selected from among a wide range of graduate level business and health profession specific offerings.

Objectives:

This course permits students to explore in greater depth either an area of business interest or a health profession specific topic to assist in meeting their personal learning objectives.  Students may take either an online or onsite course.

Delivery Methods:

The delivery method is dependent upon the course selected.  For students who whish to complete the bulk of the course requirements from a distance, there are several online course options available. 

6.      Scholarly Paper (2 credits equivalent to six units)

The scholarly paper is designed as an opportunity for MHM students to demonstrate, in writing, their ability to integrate ideas that reflect current knowledge in areas of health management, education, research, and/or policy. The scholarly paper is to demonstrate integrative thinking at a general and abstract level. A student will identify a topic, and in consultation with the assigned Scholarly Paper Supervisor, develop proposal that is individualized to the student's area of interest. The student will then develop the paper under the guidance of a Supervisor. The paper must be 20 to 25 pages, excluding references and appendices. The paper does not require the collection or analysis of primary data or the conduct of research with subjects (although this may be an option in some instances). It is a scholarly essay, not a thesis and thus the evaluation of the paper will involve a one-to-one discussion between the student and the Supervisor.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

·         demonstrate their ability to write a coherent research proposal;

·         collect both qualitative and quantitative data;

·        analyze data using a combination of statistical and policy analytical techniques; and;

·         prepare a comprehensive report (of a publishable quality).

Delivery Methods:

This scholarly paper will be developed by the student over an eight to twelve-month period and submitted online.  Depending on the specific project topic, some students may need to conduct fieldwork to collect necessary data (in such cases, appropriate ethics approval may be required).  Ongoing supervisor feedback will be provided both online and by telephone and/or video-conference.  

7.      Leadership in Health Organizations

Description:

This course explores principles, practices, trends and issues of leadership in health care settings. Current theories of leadership with attention to styles, practices, tasks and models will be covered. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on and analyze their own leadership experiences in light of theories studied. Through the interplay of theory and practical application, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the requirements, responsibilities, and consequences of effective leadership. The course encourages professional and personal development through action learning that is relevant and transferable to organizations.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course students will have:

·         better understanding of effective leadership styles and practices

·         perform analysis on personal leadership

·         apply knowledge into workplace

Delivery Methods:

This course will be offered through a combination of online and on-site delivery.  Topics will initially be explored online through a review of documents, discussions, and course assignments.  Students will then be required to meet on-site for an intensive 3-day period of presentations and discussions.  This is the final of two on-site residency requirements for the program.  Students will be responsible of all costs associated with travel and/or accommodation to attend each of the two on-site residency periods.