Table 1

Graduate Attributes for Honours Students Graduating with Competency in Health Policy.


Knowledge of policy environments, including:
     ◸ understanding of the Australian health system, including knowledge of both Federal and State/Territory systems
     ◸ a basic understanding of comparative international health policy
Knowledge of information and evidence, including:
     ◸ the ability to identify and effectively use appropriate research to understand and analyse health policy
     ◸ skills in evidence acquisition and analysis
     ◸ a basic and technical knowledge in health services evaluation
     ◸ a capacity to integrate qualitative and quantitative skills and information
     ◸ knowledge and understanding of the social and political determinants of health and health policy
     ◸ an understanding of the basic principles of health economics
Knowledge of policy process, including:
     ◸ knowledge of both micro and macro level views of policy
     ◸ knowledge of the legal, value, political and ethical influences on policy
     ◸ awareness of the role of leadership in policy development and implementation
Knowledge of the didactic analysis of policy, including:
     ◸ the ability to examine the congruence between values and intentions and actual policy
     ◸ the ability to understand and analyse aspirational policy and the importance of constructive new ideas
     ◸ practical knowledge of examples of policy failures and "real" policy
Skills for effective engagement of policy stakeholders, including:
     ◸ knowledge and skills in advocacy and consultation
     ◸ the ability to appreciate the value and ethical aspects that influence stakeholder views and positions
     ◸ knowledge of the breadth of policy stakeholders and the diversity of their interests and influence

Smith-Merry et al. Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2007 4:19   doi:10.1186/1743-8462-4-19