Final Project – Professional Paper

Final Project – Professional Paper

* Students will have the option of choosing to do their final paper on a country or special topic of interest.

Guidelines for Professional Paper: Country Paper

The purpose of the paper is to develop a conceptual framework for studying, analyzing and comparing national health care systems.  This will help to sensitize students to some of the historical, geographical, legal, cultural, political, and socio-economic factors that influence health behavior, as well as provide a comparative understanding of the main features of the nation’s health system and services.  In this analysis and evaluation of another nation’s services and systems, the student should be able to examine and transfer models and experiences from one country to another.

The framework for comparing health care services and systems is as follows:

1. Political/Government and Geographic Structure
2. Demographic Structure and Health Status
3. Organized Structure of the Health Care System
4. Financing of Health Care
5. Health Workforce
6. Health Systems Needs and Challenges
7. Management Implications

Become the Minister of Health and Deputy Minister

There is an opening for the position of Minister of Health and Deputy Minister of Health in a country of your choice. You have decided that you have the credentials to be an effective Minister of Health or the Deputy Minister of Health and advance the Health Sector in any of the countries€¦but which one? So here is what you need to do:

1. You probably have information about some of these countries and their health systems already, if not, look up information about each one of the countries. You can find information in the library and on the Internet.  Also you can check the references in your syllabus and the links in the last week’s module.  Post at least one comment in the Discussions tool by next week to share your ideas with your peers and discuss among all members of the class your preferences.
2. Once you have selected a country, everybody needs to write a short executive memorandum (250 words maximum, due week) with:
   • Your name
   • Name of the country you are interested in and in what role (Minister or Deputy Minister) and second option in case your first option is not available.
   • Why are you interested in this particular country?
   • Any background information that would make you a good candidate for Minister of Health of this particular country.
3. Now you have to post your executive memorandum nomination using the “Assignments” tool in this course.  The date on your posting will give you priority on your selection over another candidate with a later date. If somebody else has occupied your first choice, then I will take into consideration your second choice.  If both of them have already been taken then you will be assigned another country.  So post your application early! If you don’t respond by the due date, you will be assigned a country.
4. Papers are normally 20 to 30 pages in length.

Guidelines for Review Format:

1. All papers are to be typed and double spaced. The paper is to be clear and concise; does not contain errors in spelling, punctuation, or syntax.  The paper must be written using the publication style of the American Psychological Association, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition, 2009.  Failure to submit accurate and well written papers will result in a reduced grade.
2. All papers are to be submitted on time to meet specific due dates. (See Course Outline)
3. Criteria used for the evaluation of the paper are attached.
4. Papers are normally 20 to 30 pages in length.

This assignment has multiple due dates throughout the term.

Guidelines for Professional Paper: Specific Topic of Interest Paper

The purpose of the paper is to develop a conceptual framework for studying, analyzing and examining a specific topic of personal interest. Through examination of this topic, students should relate it back to global health and how behavior is affected  by the surrounding environments. Today, the world of healthcare is constantly evolving and with that comes disruptive innovations that shape how healthcare is delivered nationally and internationally. That being said, this paper should relate how disruptive innovations change the face of healthcare and how they have influenced your specific topic. In this analysis and evaluation, the student should be able to examine and identify specific models, data, and information on their chosen topic.