Health policy

Question 1

What is health policy

Answer 1

decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve
specific health care goals within a society…it defines a vision
for the future …outlines priorities and the expected roles
of different groups; and it builds consensus and informs
people

Question 2

green paper

Answer 2

Discussion document with proposals

Question 3

White paper

Answer 3

Concrete proposals for legislative change
– Government Departments

Question 4

bill

Answer 4

Draft Act is introduced in Parliament by a Minister, a Deputy Minister, or
MEC or deputy MEC
– Debated in relevant Committee e.g. Standing Committee for Health and Public
Hearing
– Deliberation in National Assembly and/or NCOP or Provincial Assembly
– Passed into an Act of Parliament

Question 5

Regulations of the act

Answer 5

specifics of the act

Question 6

examples of clinical policy

Answer 6

PPE policy
– Occupational TB policy
– Mental Health Policy

Question 7

example of administrative policy

Answer 7

– Overtime policy
– Intern working hours policy
– Data Management Policy

Question 8

policy triangle

Answer 8

context
content
process
actors

Question 9

What does the ‘context’ component of the Policy Triangle refer to?

Answer 9

The ‘context’ component refers to the setting or environment in which the policy is developed and implemented. This includes political, economic, social, and cultural factors that can influence the policy process.

Question 10

Who are the ‘actors’ in the Policy Triangle framework?

Answer 10

‘Actors’ refer to the individuals, organizations, and groups who are involved in the policy process. This includes policymakers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, interest groups, and the public.

Question 11

What does ‘content’ mean in the context of the Policy Triangle?

Answer 11

‘Content’ refers to the actual substance of the policy, including its goals, strategies, and the specific measures it proposes. This component focuses on what the policy aims to achieve and how it plans to do so.

Question 12

What is meant by ‘process’ in the Policy Triangle framework?

Answer 12

‘Process’ refers to the way in which policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated. This includes the steps taken, the procedures followed, and the interactions among different actors during the policy development cycle

Question 13

Types of stakeholders

Answer 13

primary
secondary
tertiary
key

Question 14

Primary stakeholders

Answer 14

those ultimately most affected, either positively
or negatively by an organization’s actions

Question 15

Secondary stakeholders

Answer 15

the “intermediaries,” that is, persons or
organizations who are indirectly affected by an organization’s
actions

Question 16

Tertiary stakeholders

Answer 16

those who will be impacted the least

Question 17

Key stakeholders

Answer 17

those with significant influence upon or importance
within an organization; can also belong to the other groups

Question 18

Process- The stages model

Answer 18

• agenda setting
• policy formulation
• policy implementation
  -policy evaluation

Question 19

Policy implementation

Answer 19

.* Most difficult
step
* Often great
policies in
writing, but poor
implementation
* LEADERSHIP

Question 20

Barriers and Facilitators of policy
implementation

Answer 20

1. health professional context
2. patient context
3. political and social context
4. health organizational system context
5. clinical practice guideline context

Question 21

Why is leadership considered essential in health systems according to Frenk J. (2010)

Answer 21

Leadership is essential because it involves developing strategic vision, technical knowledge, political skills, and ethical orientation to lead complex processes of policy formulation and implementation. Without effective leaders, even the best-designed systems will fail.

Question 22

What is one of the fault lines in health sector transformation identified by L. Rispel (2016)?

Answer 22

One of the fault lines is the tolerance of ineptitude and failures in leadership, management, and governance. This indicates a critical need for competent leadership to drive successful health sector transformation.

Question 23

How do first-level leaders who directly supervise clinicians impact the implementation of evidence-based guidelines?

Answer 23

irst-level leaders who have strong expectations, provide support, and offer rewards for the use of organizational commitment can lead to an 11% increase in the implementation of evidence-based guidelines.

Question 24

Approaches to implementation: Top down

Answer 24

– Policy decided at national level & translated into
operating instructions for use by lower level operatives
– Implementation a technical process conducted by
administrative agencies (Command & Control leadership

Question 25

Approaches to implementation: Bottom up

Answer 25

– Implementing actors have own power, & re-make policy
through practice;
– They may undermine or enable achievement of central actors’
goals, and they often generate unexpected consequences

Question 26

What is the top-down approach to implementation?

Answer 26

The top-down approach to implementation involves directives from higher levels of authority or leadership that are then executed at lower levels. It focuses on centralized decision-making, clear guidelines, and a hierarchical chain of command to ensure policies are implemented as intended.

Question 27

What is the bottom-up approach to implementation?

Answer 27

The bottom-up approach to implementation emphasizes input and actions from lower levels of the organization or community. It involves engaging frontline workers, local stakeholders, and communities in the decision-making process, allowing for more flexibility and adaptation to local needs and contexts.

Question 28

How do the top-down and bottom-up approaches differ in terms of decision-making and flexibility?

Answer 28

The top-down approach is characterized by centralized decision-making and a structured, hierarchical implementation process, which can ensure consistency but may lack flexibility. In contrast, the bottom-up approach involves decentralized decision-making with greater input from local levels, which can enhance flexibility and adaptability but may lead to inconsistencies.

Question 29

4 essential PRACTICES for FRONTLINE
leaders

Answer 29

• ethical behaviour
  -collective sense making
• stakeholder analysis
• celebrate small wins