SRH4001

Rural health issues 2: Rural health policy and practice ( 6 points, SCA Band 0, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Peter O'Meara

Offered:
Gippsland First semester 2005 (OCL)
MILDURA First semester 2005 (OCL)

Synopsis: This on-line unit introduces students to the conceptual and analytic tools that will enable them to make informed judgements about the types of health services that best meet the needs of rural communities. On completion, students will be able to identify health customers, health service providers, the owners, or power brokers that influence the health agenda and rural environmental issues. The unit will focus on the relationship between the health needs of rural communities, health policy and rural health service models, such as multipurpose services (MPS), health streams, case management, nurse practitioner and primary health care models.

Objectives: On completion of this unit students are expected to be able to: 1. describe the ideological foundations that influence the characteristics of health systems and service delivery models; 2. critically analyse a primary health care model; 3. demonstrate understanding of the policy process; 4. explain the rural/regional health policy framework; 5. discuss the relationship between the health needs of rural communities, health policy and rural health service models; 6. critically analyse health policy decision-making and implementation processes in the context of rural health care; and 7. apply knowledge of rural health policy to examine a specific rural health issue in detail.

Assessment: Poster: 25% + Case study: 50% + On-line discussions: 25%

Prerequisites: SRH3001