Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/health-systems

Introduction

### Course Review: Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems on Coursera In today’s rapidly evolving global health landscape, the ability to understand and strengthen health systems is more crucial than ever. Coursera’s course, *Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems for Global Health*, offers an in-depth exploration of health systems based on the World Health Organization's frameworks. This course is particularly significant for students, professionals, and anyone interested in global health, especially with a focus on low and middle-income countries. #### Course Overview The course provides a comprehensive overview of health systems, particularly their structure and roles, emphasizing their adaptability in the face of funding, policy changes, and client expectations. This is essential knowledge for anyone looking to make an impact in global health initiatives. The curriculum is structured into four main modules, each focusing on a fundamental aspect of health systems. #### Syllabus Highlights 1. **Understanding Organizations and How They Change** This module sets the foundation by emphasizing that health systems are essentially human organizations. Learners will delve into how organizations maintain their health through adaptability. The focus here is on diagnosing organizational health and strategizing for necessary adjustments. This understanding is vital for those involved in strengthening health systems as it highlights the dynamic nature of organizations in the health sphere. 2. **Health Systems: Basic Functions and Building Blocks** This part of the course takes a closer look at the six major components of health systems as described by the WHO. It focuses particularly on financing, commodities, and service delivery— key elements for effective health care, especially through Primary Health Care. Notably, this module also addresses a ‘missing’ component: community systems, which are critical for comprehensive health services. 3. **Human Resource Capacity Development: An Essential Health System Function** In this module, the course examines the cornerstone of any health system: human resources. It emphasizes the importance of training and continual professional development in bolstering both organizations and their overarching health systems. As human resources are interlinked with all other components, understanding this relationship is vital for effective policy and program development. 4. **Health Systems Policy Development and Advocacy Approaches** The final module discusses the policies that underpin health system organizations. It highlights the interactions between various stakeholders involved in the policy-making process and emphasizes advocacy strategies aimed at enacting health-positive policies. Understanding the political landscape is indispensable for anyone looking to engage with health systems on a systemic level. #### Who Should Take This Course? This course is ideal for public health students, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and anyone keen on understanding how to strengthen health systems in emerging economies. Whether you are just starting your career or looking to deepen your knowledge, the course is comprehensive enough to cater to various levels of expertise. #### What You Will Gain By the end of the course, participants will have: - A robust understanding of the building blocks of health systems. - Insight into the factors that affect organizational health. - Knowledge on how to advocate for effective health policies. - An appreciation for the importance of human resources in the efficacy of health systems. #### Final Recommendation I highly recommend *Understanding and Strengthening Health Systems* for anyone passionate about making a difference in global health. The structured modules, combined with expert insights and applicable knowledge, equip learners with the tools necessary to address the complexities of health systems. Additionally, the course provides the flexibility of learning at your own pace, making it accessible for those with time constraints. Whether you are aiming to work in international health or simply want to expand your understanding of health systems, this course is an invaluable resource. Join today and take the first step towards making a significant impact in global health!

Syllabus

Understanding Organizations and How They Change

Health Systems are human organizations. Organizations have structure, purpose and membership. To remain “Healthy” an organization must adapt to its environment, whether that be funding and policy changes or expectations of its clients. In this module we will focus on diagnosing factors related to the health of organizations and consider strategies to help organizations adapt.

The World Health Organization has described six major components or building blocks of a health system. In this module we will examine those components and delve more deeply into the aspects of financing, commodities and service delivery, especially through Primary health Care. We examine a ‘missing’ component, community systems.

Human resources are a component or building block that supports  all other components of a health system. This module examines the role of training and continuing professional development in strengthening organizations and systems.

Health and development organizations and systems are created and funded through policy decisions. Within organizations there are policies that procedures that determine the actually functioning or the organization. This module looks at stakeholders in the policy process and helps the learner consider advocacy strategies to influence healthful policy change.