Module manager: Sean Sinclair
Email: s.c.sinclair@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 May to 31 July View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module explores issues concerning the fair allocation of resources in health care. The module examines some central views about the just/fair allocation of benefits and burdens in society, and their implications for the just/fair allocation of health care.
The aims of this module are, firstly for you to gain an understanding of some of the philosophical and ethical issues and arguments within healthcare allocation and their implications for health policy. Secondly, you will develop critical awareness of the ethical rationales underlying current approaches to central concepts in healthcare allocation and health policy.
These aims will be achieved through:
- Interactive lectures/ seminars where you will be introduced to core concepts, readings, and arguments
- Independent study where you will be encouraged to read texts critically and reflect on and analyse these arguments and concepts.
- Seminar discussion and group work where you can develop you own arguments on the topics and test these through critical reflection with other learners and academic staff.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically evaluate different theories of justice and equality and their implications for rights of access to health care
2. Critically evaluate different criteria for prioritising patients and types of treatments
3. Develop your own views on the just distribution of healthcare through insightful and sophisticated argument
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
5. Critically analyse source material and demonstrate independence of thought (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Independently search for and utilise appropriate material to support knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready, Digital and Sustainability skill)
7. Apply ethical perspectives to contemporary problems in resource allocation in medicine and health care. (Academic, Work Ready, Sustainability and Enterprise skill)
Examples of possible topics:
- Justice And Equality
- Rawls and welfare liberalism
- Nozick and libertarianism
- Personal responsibility
- Ageism
- Rights To Health Care
- Needs And Luxuries
- Rationing And QALY's
- Public health and what we owe each other
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Private study hours | 134 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
In addition to the formative feedback available to students in student hours and seminar-based activities, each student is invited to complete ONE piece of formative work which will receive written feedback.
Students are given a choice of: essay plan; exposition of an argument; objection and reply.
To ensure that students get the formative feedback that they need, they are asked to read and reflect on (i) the feedback they received in previous summative assessments, (ii) the PRHS marking criteria and (iii) the specific guidance provided on the summative assessment in this module. This requires students to critically engage with previous feedback, current expectations, and play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 26/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team