Module Overview

An understanding of strategy and the ability to think strategically is, perhaps more than ever, a critical aspect of healthcare leadership in education, systems, and organisations as we seek to address ever more complex challenges of quality, safety, and access in healthcare. 

For many years the reserve of commercial enterprise, the principles and practice of systems and organisation strategy are becoming more commonplace in the design and delivery of healthcare education and services. This is reflected in the academic study of strategy and its application in healthcare - so you have chosen an important contemporary module of study.
The aim of this module is to explore and critically analyse the relevant literature on strategy in healthcare. This module introduces you to important principles of, and approaches to, education, system and organisation strategy and strategic leadership. We aim to ensure these can be applied in your professional lives, either within the context of clinical education or the broader system and organisational leadership context.  Important concepts of strategy will be examined in depth and you will consider a range of fundamental perspectives on strategy.

The module is designed to support healthcare professionals from all backgrounds and in all clinical, professional, and educational roles. However, it will be of most relevance to you if you currently hold, or wish to hold, educational, clinical, or professional leadership responsibilities.

Aims

This module will enable you to develop an understanding of key issues in strategy and strategic leadership. In particular it will focus on:

Classical and contemporary views and concepts of strategy 
	Different approaches to strategy design, development, and implementation. 
	Acting strategically as a leader.
	How each of the above relate to strategic leadership in education, system and organisational settings.
Module Learning Outcomes

In this module you will develop knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable you to:

Demonstrate a sound knowledge base in education, system and organisational strategy. 
	Compare and contrast various academic concepts of strategy. 
	Critically analyse a range of academic and industry methodological approaches to developing strategy. 
	Critically examine and synthesise the current academic literature on education, system and organisational strategy.
	Articulate key theoretical issues underpinning organisational strategy. 
	Critically reflect on how current concepts of educational, system and organisational strategy have been applied in your own educational or clinical practice. 
 

Mode of Delivery

This online module will be delivered through UCL’s Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). This approach combines educational methods that encourage discussion, debate, self-directed learning, reflection on personal experience, critical thinking and access to extensive online resources. This will enable students to engage in collaborative learning and to be in regular contact with module tutors for a high level of academic support.

 

Formative Assessment

This course will be facilitated by UCL teaching staff with regular opportunities to provide support and feedback on teaching delivery.  In particular, students will receive feedback on the weekly learning activities from peers and tutors.

Summative Assessment:

Participants will also complete a 2000 word assignment that is based on one of the areas highlighted in the module that has significance in their own practice as a leader in health professions education.