Spring 2026 - HSCI 827 G100
Analysis of Health Care Systems (3)
Class Number: 2128
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Lindsay Hedden
lhedden@sfu.ca
1 778 782-7559
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Analyze factors that determine the organization and performance of health services for individuals and populations.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course is an analysis of the structure and organization of the Canadian health care financing and delivery system in comparison with global health care systems. It includes history, organizational principles, health care resources, costs, access to care, quality, and equity. It also explores contemporary problems in Canadian and global health care systems and a comparison of health system performance. Throughout the course, we will explore current policy debates, including coverage for pharmaceuticals, primary care reform, privatization, and management of wait lists.
The first half of the course includes substantial overlap with HSCI 305. 827 is not recommended for students who have completed this course.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- Analyze contemporary problems in Canadian and global health care systems and policy.
- Explain the role of the health care system in contributing to population and public health.
- Explain how the history and development of health systems shape their organization and performance.
- Analyze how methods of financing and delivery affect the organization and performance of health services for individuals and populations.
- Analyze the roles played by political and economic factors in health systems.
Grading
- Assignment 1 - Background and analysis (group) 25%
- Assignment 2 - Comparative health systems (individual) 15%
- Assignment 3 - Policy options (group) 25%
- Assignment 4 - Briefing note/OpEd 10%
- Group presentation 15%
- Discussion contributions 10%
NOTES:
Instructor may make changes to the syllabus within Faculty/University regulations.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
All readings will be provided through Canvas.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Deber, R. Treating Health Care: How the Canadian System Works and How It Could Work Better. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2017.
https://utorontopress.com/9781487521493/treating-health-care/
ISBN: 1487521499
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.