BEH3022

Contemporary challenges in CBEH ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: TBA

Offered:
Peninsula Second semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: The unit will explore contemporary challenges in community-based emergency health including the role of the paramedic in health promotion, system integration, change, ageing, funding, and politics, in the setting of the national health, emergency health research priorities. Alternative methods of delivering community-based health and emerging opportunities for paramedics will be explored. Contemporary issues, with national and international perspectives of emergency preparedness, mass gatherings, chemical/nuclear/biological/radiation incidents, mass casualty events, disasters and emergency health in the international setting will also be covered.

Objectives: By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to: 1. identify and discuss contemporary challenges in community-based emergency health using local, national and international literature; 2. apply the key principles of health promotion, prevention, system integration and coordination in the setting of a selected community-based emergency health topic; 3. outline the principle features of the Australian Healthcare system and the impact of politics, funding, and changing demography; 4. identify the national health and emergency health research priorities and their implications for community-based emergency health; 5. identify alternative methods of delivering community-based emergency health and discuss emerging opportunities for paramedics; 6. identify the range of definitions of 'disaster' and the legislative framework that supports the Federal and State approaches to disaster planning and management; 7. describe the principles of prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and their application to disaster planning, hazard analysis and mitigation, including mass gatherings, mass casualty situations, and chemical/nuclear/biological/radiation incidents; 8. describe the approach to disaster planning at local levels that include the role of first aid and volunteers and the specific response and role of ambulance services at the scene; 9. outline the common patterns of injury likely to arise from natural, technological, and transport disasters in terrorist events; 10. describe the principles of the medical response to disasters and reverse triage; 11. describe the broader requirements of disaster management, in particular the management of public and mental health issues and logistic management; and 12. identify complex humanitarian emergencies and describe the role of paramedics in emergency health in the international setting.

Assessment: 2000 word written assignment: (50%) + Examination: (50%)

Prerequisites: BEH2021 and BEH2051