Health policy Essay
The final paper will be expected to be 2000 words and should demonstrate the ability to apply the material learned in this course plus the use of relevant secondary literature to analyze a topic related to health policy. Marks will be deducted if the paper is either shorter than 1850 words or longer than 2150 words. The word count is only for the text. It does include in text citations but it does not include the reference list. For each 50 words or part thereof outside this limit 5 marks (out of 100) will be deducted, e.g., if the essay is 2190 words 5 marks will be deducted, if the essay is 2230 words 10 marks will be deducted.
If you want to submit a copy of your essay in advance I will read it and give you detailed comments. You can then use those comments to make changes to your essay. However, in this case I will not give you comments on the final essay. You will only get the grade.
Essay structure:
Analytic papers are not just a description of what is in a policy. They are an analysis of the reasons why a policy exists and its strengths and weaknesses.
HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW TO STRUCTURE AN ESSAY:
• The essay has to deal with a current health policy question or a health policy issue and it has to be a Canadian question or issue.
• A health policy question could be something like what is the best way of ensuring that people are able to receive the medications that they need. A health policy issue could look at the same question from a different perspective, e.g., why are provincial drug plans structured differently from province to province.
• Structure for a health policy question essay:
o Start off by stating what is the question that the essay will address, e.g., “This essay will look at whether Canada should have a national pharmacare plan.”
o The essay would then describe the policy or policies that have been developed about pharmacare, e.g., should everyone be covered for all drug costs by a national plan, what should we do about very expensive drugs, should such a plan pay for all drugs or just those that are life saving.
o Next would be a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals or policies.
o Finally, in the conclusion you should give your assessment about whether or not the policy that has been developed has been successful, a failure, partly successful, etc. and why you have come to that conclusion or whether or not the proposals are likely to be successful, etc. and why you have come to that conclusion.
If you use too many direct quotes, even if these quotes are properly attributed (see ACADEMIC HONESTY below) it will be hard to evaluate your writing style and whether or not you understand the material you are quoting. Too many direct quotes will therefore lead to a lower mark on your essay. In a 5 page essay there should not be more than a total of about one-half page of direct quotes.
Your essay MUST contain a minimum of 5 academic references. Newspaper and magazine articles may also be used but they are not considered academic material. Wikipedia is not considered an academic source.
Formatting requirements:
• Use subheadings
• All papers must be submitted to TURNITIN. Instructions on how to do this will be given during the class
• Title page with the following 1) title of the paper; 2) your name; 3) my name; 4) course title; 5) date of submission; 6) word count
• Printed on 8.5 x 11 inch paper
• 12 point font
• Double spaced
• 1 inch margins
• Spell-checked
PAPERS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO THESE GUIDELINES WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOSE 5 MARKS
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