Organization of Palliative Care and the Health System

Code:

MCP_05

Acronym:

SSOCP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree Course in Palliative Care

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCP	35	Palliative Care_09	1	-	5	45	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

 The learning objectives of this curricular unit are to assure that the student acquires adequate knowledge in health care management and health care economics namely with regard hospital administration and Palliative Care.

Learning outcomes and competences

With the attendance of this curricular it is intended that the student applies in the daily setting and in the decision-making process the necessary tools for an efficient use of healthcare resources in accordance with the opportunity cost criteria. Moreover, it is intended that the medical education includes the basic principles of hospital management that are a determinant for good clinical practice, namely with regard Palliative Care.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- Theories of justice.

2- The right to health protection as a social right in plural and secular societies.

3- Health and other social benefits. The principle of “democratic accountability”. Macro e micro priority-setting in healthcare. 

4- Inter-sectorial public health and social determinants of health. Importance of the Economic and Social Gradient the citizens.

5- Financial-related and unrelated barriers to the equitable access to reasonable health care. The universality of healthcare access.

6- Access to benefits and segmentation of the health systems. NHS and health sub-systems.

7- Equitable financing.

8- Efficiency and efficacy in health production. The role of Evidence-Based Medicine. Quality in health as an ethical requirement. Accreditation and certification of health units.

9- Administrative effectiveness.

10- Organization of Palliative Care Services in the National Health Service.

11- The National Program of Palliative Care.

Mandatory literature

Nunes, R., & Rego, G.; Prioridades na Saúde. Lisboa, Lisboa: McGraw-Hill , 2002
Buchbinder, S.B., & Shanks, N.H.; Introduction to Health Care Managment., Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2007
Rego, G. ; Gestão Empresarial dos Serviços Públicos, Uma Aplicação ao Setor da Saúde., Porto: Vida Económica, 2008
Nunes, R.; Regulação da Saúde, Porto: Vida Económica, 2014
Feldstein, P.J. ; Health Policy Issues, An Economic Perspective (6th edition), Chicago: Health Administration Press, 2015

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies have different strategies: a) Theoretical Lectures: about different themes related to the Curricular Unit; b) Seminars: Prepared and guided discussion of specific themes, defined in advance, with the participation of professors and students; c) Group Work: Pedagogical activity of analysis and problem solving, orientated by the professors and actively prepared by the students; and d) Presentation of Case-Problems by the students.

The Continuous Assessment is performed by the responsible professor for the group of students who attend the Curricular Unit. An assessment of the whole pedagogical process and of the evolution of each student's capacities is at stake: Evolution in the communication skills, evolution of the human relation, of the regular attendance in the Curricular Unit, of the interest and participation in the pedagogic process, and, finally, of the theoretical and practical knowledge. It is possible to make use of audio-visual techniques.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

The teaching methodologies adopted are in accordance with the international guidelines in the area of health care management. In this way coherence with the curricular unit’s intended learning outcomes is guaranteed since these methodologies are deemed essential for any student to acquire the competence and skills necessary for an adequate capacitation in this area.

The Final Assessment of the curricular unit is made by the Continuous Assessment (50%) and a Final Examination that evaluates the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge (50%).