Title:	Supply Chain Management in Health care
Keywords:	Resource management Planning and programming Financing
Country:	Switzerland
Institution:	Switzerland - Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Basel
Course coordinator:	Barbara Bürkin
Date start:	2025-09-01
Date end:	2025-09-05
About duration and dates:	Application deadline: 31 March 2025 Prep phase: 04 – 29 August 2025 Hybrid face to face week: 01 – 05 September 2025 Post phase: 08 September – 17 October 2025
Classification:	advanced optional
Mode of delivery:	Blended-learning
Course location: Addition to the mode of delivery: Blended learning format (combining synchronous classroom sessions during the hybrid face-to-face week and asynchronous distance-based, tutor-supported self-directed learning). Students will spend 60 hrs working on assessed tasks and assignments to prepare for the face-to-face sessions, 40 hrs in hybrid face-to-face classroom sessions, 78 hours completing an assessed written assignment and preparing for a written exam, and 2 hours writing the exam. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH – 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
ECTS credit points:	6 ECTS credits
SIT: TOTAL SIT: 180 h - Hybrid and face-to-face hours: 40 h - Self-study hours: 138 h - Written final exam: 2 h
Language:	English
Description: After successfully completing the course, participants will be able to: ▪ Identify and analyse components of the supply chain cycle ▪ Appraise the required integration of health commodities supply management in health systems as a prerequisite for access to and delivery of healthcare ▪ Critically analyse supply chain systems and identify managerial approaches and intervention strategies ▪ Describe the critical role of human resources and quality assurance in the supply cycle ▪ Illustrate the need for good governance to foster transparency and accountability
Assessment Procedures: During the preparation phase, students will complete a graded written assignment before the hybrid face-to-face week of the module. Based on provided documents, they will describe a health-related supply chain and identify the managerial inputs needed (10% of total mark). In addition, they will demonstrate their understanding of the assigned readings by answering 20 multiple choice questions (10% of total mark). During the hybrid face-to-face week, there will be a group assignment in form of a real-world case-study analysis and 15 minutes presentation of the analysis, followed by questions from the facilitators (15 minutes). To analyse the case study, students must apply their new knowledge acquired during the course to identify challenges and to propose and justify possible solutions to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of interventions affecting the supply chain (20% of total mark). In the post phase, students have to analyse a different case study and produce a written report (2000 words maximum, references not included) critically reviewing the case study according to guiding questions (30% of the total mark). In addition, a written online ‘open-book’ exam needs to be conducted during the post phase. There will be a time period of 2 to 3 weeks during which the exam can be done. The exam consists of a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions (hours; 30% of the final mark). A failing grade in one of the different assignments/presentations can be compensated as long as the total mark is 60 out of 100 points or better, with the exception of the final written exam, which must be passed successfully. In the case of a failing grade for one of the distance-based assignments, students will get a new assignment, similar to the original one. A failing grade for the group work assignment would require the students to revise the analysis and presentation slides and then present and respond to facilitator questions during the post-campus phase, via Adobe Connect. A re-sit for the final written exam is possible; dates and location will be discussed on an individual basis.
Content: An effective health system comprises many components, including a well-functioning supply chain; the availability of quality and affordable health commodities at the health facility is a key outcome of the logistics system ensuring that the end user — the patient — receives the health services they need. Significant budgetary resources are allocated for providing public health commodities in developing countries while many supply chains are managed ad-hoc and performance is insufficient. Efforts are needed to strengthen international and in-country supply chains and to establish sustainable and integrated logistics systems that are robust enough to respond to dynamics and challenges in the health sector. Disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the 2021 Suez Canal blockage have made visible the vulnerability of global health supply chains and have challenged the resilience of health systems to sustain health services. These systems are essential to provide equitable and affordable access to appropriately used essential medical products, a pre-requisite to universal health coverage. Global health is in need of a generation of decision-makers who understand the relevance of coherent and integrated pharmaceutical systems. Key to building sustainable supply systems is recognition of and investments in human resources and the necessary management structures required to effectively and efficiently manage these systems. The course covers introductory level supply chain management, presenting basic principles of supply and support structures and functions, with a specific focus on problems related to global health. The course engages participants in the analysis of case studies that describe efforts to improve health commodities supply chains and healthcare delivery in resource‐poor settings. Classroom discussion of these cases will illuminate principles and frameworks for the design and management of efficient and effective supply chains of healthcare commodities. The course will address the basics of the supply cycle as a prerequisite for access to medicines, the use of medicines, quality assurance and accountability, all embedded in a health system perspective. The following topics will be covered: ● Supply chain fundamentals in global health ● Supply chain as a prerequisite to improving access to health commodities and healthcare ● Principles and elements of the supply chain cycle ● Managerial challenges in supply chain activities ● Discussion of case studies including challenges and potential managerial approaches ● Delivery and use of health care commodities ● The role of human resources for managing supply logistics ● Quality assurance, monitoring, accountability and good governance in supply chain management.
Methods: During the two distance-based phases, students will engage in self-directed learning to meet learning objectives, using materials and tools provided on the online learning management system (Moodle). ● Preparation phase: consists of 40 hours of independent study (readings, assessed tasks and assignments) to prepare for hybrid face-to-face sessions. ● Post phase: consists of 78 hours of independent study (further research, case study analysis and report writing; and preparing for the written exam). During the two distance-based phases, students will also be asked to initiate and respond to discussion threads posted to the Moodle forum (at their convenience) and will have the opportunity to ask questions to the facilitators via the discussion tool. The hybrid face-to-face week (5 days) consists of interactive lectures (approx. 30 hours), complemented by daily facilitator-supported group work exercises, case study analysis and feedback sessions (approx. 10 – 15 hours). Students will also engage in discussions and presentations around various key concepts and topics during this week. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in tutorials.
Prerequisites: tropEd candidates must show an English language level TOEFL test 550 or 213 computer-based or 79/80 internet-based or IELTS band 6.0 or equivalent, and an intermediate. Students need a reliable internet connection to follow the preparation phase and the post (assignment) phase. Students requesting online participation during the hybrid face-to-face week must have a device with a working camera and a stable internet connection. No specific software licenses are needed.
Attendance: Maximum of 20 - 24 students per course; maximum number of tropEd students: 8; limited number of spaces for online participation in the hybrid face-to-face week.
Selection: For tropEd students: First come, first served principle.
Fees: Students who are enrolled in a tropEd Master programme pay the reduced fee (including exam fee) of CHF 2’450; other students pay CHF 2’850 (CHF 410 per ECTS credit point).
Scholarships: None.
Major changes since initial accreditation: The content was slightly adjusted with new examples from the field, but the structure of the module remains the same. The face-to-face week of synchronous, full time teaching will be offered in hybrid mode for the foreseeable future. Students can request online participation if they can demonstrate need (travel or family restrictions, health concerns). In 2021, Swiss TPH moved to its new headquarters on the outskirts of Basel at short distance from the previous location. The new building offers a modern infrastructure, including seminar rooms specifically designed for hybrid course delivery.
Student evaluation: Students mentioned to know about the group work time slots in advance, and to lower the burden of preparing for the next day’s lessons. In general, the case study learning approach was appreciated.
Lessons learned: During the pure online face-to-face week in 2020 and the hybrid version in 2021, the synchronous teaching time was decreased, therefore students were given homework as a preparation for the next day. In general that worked, but had to be fine-tuned to avoid overload of work. In general, student satisfaction with MBA-IHM hybrid course delivery is high, but it is necessary to ensure a balance between online and in person participants.
tropEd accreditation: Accredited in November 2017 and Septembre 2022. This accreditation is valid until Septembre 2027.
Remarks: This module is offered regularly as a core-module in Swiss TPH’s MBA in International Health Management programme, therefore the number of tropEd students is limited. Throughout the module, an online learning management system (Moodle) will be used to support learning activities in the distance-based phases, during which students will be required to complete assignments, self-assessment quizzes, and upload learning products (short papers, statements, presentations, references and documents related to certain topics) linked to the objectives of this module. Through Moodle, students will also have the opportunity to interact with each other (and the facilitators) at their convenience to discuss these same learning products, using discussion forums and other tools. On request, distance-based, more detailed discussions with facilitators are possible during agreed timeslots. Online participation for the full-time, hybrid face-to-face week is possible but these spaces are limited.
Email Address:	courses@swisstph.ch
Date Of Record Creation:	2017-11-26 03:56:34 (W3C-DTF)
Date Of Record Release:	2017-11-26 09:37:32 (W3C-DTF)
Date Record Checked:	2017-11-26 (W3C-DTF)
Date Last Modified:	2024-07-25 07:41:32 (W3C-DTF)