This module aims to provide a learning experience that enables students to develop knowledge and skills essential to comparative assessment of international health and social care trends, policies and systems. Such skills are required by healthcare managers and are important to keeping up to date with current, effective healthcare management practices. Within the module you will explore contemporary issues in international health and social care policies and systems. To achieve this, each of the three units you study will start by comparing the differences, for example in health trends, between the home countries of the United Kingdom before making comparisons with other countries. Unit 1 focuses on international trends in health and social care needs. You will be able to self-assess your confidence in relation to the analysis of data relating to the trends, differentiate between international and global health and reflect on key health and social indicators. This draws on research based information and current published data. In unit 2 you will be introduced to health and social care policy and critically reflect on the implementation of international health and social policy by national governments. This includes examination of the role of the European Union and World Health Organisation in addressing global health issues. Unit 3 enables you to build on the previous units through comparison of international health and social care systems. Socioeconomic and political drivers to variations in health and social care trends, policies and provision will be addressed by comparing high and low income countries. Global challenges to health and social care systems are also addressed. Your knowledge and understanding of evidence based healthcare management will be developed through the exploration of the module content, online resources and through discussion with other students.Please note internet access is required to enable you to access module materials, participate in online discussions about contemporary issues in healthcare management and communicate with other students.