Critical Analysis Report

Assessment 1: Critical Analysis Report Weight (40%)

Length: 1500 words (± 10% - 150 words)

Feedback Details: Via Grade Mark. It is strongly recommended that you read the detailed feedback provided to avoid errors in further assignments.
Students should pay particular attention to feedback on academic writing style to ensure better marks (such as how to use report format, with numbered sections in the text, how paragraphs need a theme, and how to reference all content correctly in text with minimal use of quotations and use APA in the references section).

Use of grammar and spell check is mandatory. This is because the number one generic competency expected of health graduates across many countries by health managers is communication skills, both written and oral. In addition, integrity and ethical conduct (which includes accurate referencing and acknowledgment of sources) have been found the most important single competency in NSW Health.
 

Marks for content in this assignment require that students engage in critical analysis, without which a mark of credit or higher cannot be awarded as per UWS Assessment Policy. This means that students must learn to weigh up strengths and weaknesses in academic argument, identify shortcomings, limitations and what works well, and question how things are done now. This can be achieved by reading widely and finding current literature from refereed journal articles especially recent international literature.
 

Current means published in the last five years or from 2012 onwards unless the source is considered a seminal source and therefore worthy of inclusion. The use of ten recent readings is a minimal requirement. Good use of appropriate additional good quality references will earn higher marks. The quality of evaluation and ideas to improve upon current practice also identifies students’ ability to critically analyze current literature and practice.
 

Rationale
 

Understanding how current practices can be improved is essential for working in the health field.
 

Task
 

Students are asked to write a critical analysis essay of 1500 words (± 10%) on the following issue:

“The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the consumption of medicines in Australia”
• Australia has one of the highest consumption rates for medicines of all countries. The costs of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia are increasing each year.
• What are the costs of medicine consumption in Australia and why is this the case?
• What types of medicines are consumed (both prescribed and non -prescribed) and what are the problems with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme?
 

Criteria

You will be assessed on the following:
 

• Academic writing skills, use of report format, and APA.
• Reporting and analysis of PBS data, costs, sources of funds and medications used.
• Use of charts and or tables to explain recent information with accurate sourcing.
• Understanding and critical analysis of the issues using evidence from the recent literature.
• Quality of recommendations to reduce costs and lower consumption.
 

Resources
 

AIHW (2015) Health Expenditure 2013-2014. Health and Welfare Expenditure Series no 54. Canberra. Available: www.aihw.gov.au
Duckett, S.J. with Breadon, P., Ginnivan, L. and Venkataraman, P. (2013) Australia’s Bad Drug Deal: High Pharmaceutical Prices, Grattan Institute, Melbourne, ISBN: 978-1-925015-00-3