Identify two countries which have different health care financing systems and discuss their impact upon the achievement of equity and efficiency goals. Illustrate your answer with reference to relevant country data and literature.
Requirements
This assessment requires you to write a 3000 word essay. Please ensure you:
address the assessment and not write about something else
write in a essay format
are familiar with the marking criteria
observe the word count and word limit requirements(opens in a new tab)
use Harvard referencing or APA (7th)(opens in a new tab)
use a word processor
use Arial font, size 12 with 1.5 line spacing and page numbers.
Guidance
Ensure your essay:
Outlines the key features of the health care financing systems in the two selected countries.
Critically discusses how their features contribute to efficiency goals, underpinned with reference to relevant literature and research.
Critically discusses how their features contribute to equity goals, underpinned with reference to relevant literature and research.
Critically discusses any potential trade-offs between efficiency and equity goals.
Introduction Concise and clear introduction indicating the context and purpose of essay 10%
Features of the healthcare financing systems in the two countries of choice Defines the healthcare financing system in each country in terms of population coverage, level of centralisation, type of service provision (private versus public), out-of-pocket expenditure, etc. 25%
Concepts of efficiency and equity Defines both concepts and displays understanding of their meaning
15%
Discussion and evaluation of the two healthcare financing systems of choice Critically discusses the two healthcare financing systems as they relate to achieving efficiency and equity, considering the nuances of each specific country. Discussion is supported by relevant literature and research. The existence of a trade-off between equity and efficiency is considered as well.
40%
Conclusion Summarises key arguments and overarching conclusion 10%
Word count
Assessment marks will be reduced by 10% if the word limit for your assignment is exceeded by more than 10%.
References, tables and appendices should not be included when carrying out a word count. With regard to tables and figures, please be judicious in your use of these and ensure they are fully labelled and accompanied by a commentary & analysis about what the table/figure is illustrating rather than being assumed to be self-evident. Ensure that it is fully integrated into the text that precedes them. This allows the reader to understand why you have included the table/figure and helps the reader know what to focus on when looking at the table/figure.
While reference lists are not included in the word count, in-text citations are included.
Additionally, in relation to ‘Empirical – Qualitative Research Studies’ where qualitative data have been collected and analysed, the data emanating from the research and used as ‘quotations’ to substantiate identified themes, will not be included in the word count. However, please ensure that this data is clearly distinguishable (eg in italics) from the accompanying analysis.
Please review the following guidance and information in the Course Handbook(opens in a new tab) before submitting:
Types of Assessment(opens in a new tab)
Referencing & Plagiarism(opens in a new tab) (Academic Honesty, Integrity & Misconduct)
Assessment Marking & Feedback(opens in a new tab)
Please ensure you have read the Module orientation and overview and are aware of the study skills important to undertake this assessment.
Submission
Please ensure you have read the Assessment Submission(opens in a new tab) section of the Course Handbook and the details below before submitting.
In line with the Postgraduate Taught marking criteria, please:
Submit your assessment by uploading a file in a word document format, using the link below. Please note that if you submit in an alternative format (eg pdf, pages etc) your work may not be marked.
Ensure you submit with your candidate number for the current year (eg AE00000). Failure to submit with your current candidate number and with an alternative form of identification (eg previous candidate number – AD00000 or AC00000, student number, K number or name) or no identification may impact on your mark.
Ensure you submit your work with the coversheet, failure to submit without a coversheet may impact on your mark.
Ensure you allow time to deal with potential and unexpected computing issues when completing or submitting assessments.
Feedback
You will receive a provisional mark and feedback at the end of the teaching period.
