Leader: Mr Stephen Burgess and Mr Mal Boyle

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces population health, public health and primary health care principles to the analysis of community based emergency health (CBEH). Population health principles are applied to illness prevention and health promotion. The use of health datasets in population and public health is also discussed. The basis of science, knowledge and evidence is explored along with the principles and use of evidence-based practice in the CBEH setting. Students are encouraged to develop their capacity for enquiry, research, critical thought, critical appraisal and analysis through the semester. Information technology is used to access and interrogate the multitude of health datasets.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

1. describe the various practice settings of Community Based Emergency Health;

2. outline the essential features of the Australian Healthcare System;

3. describe the essential features of population health, contemporary public health, and primary health care, and relate them to community-based emergency health care;

4. explain the concepts of science, knowledge and truth, scientific method, research, and evaluation;

5. demonstrate a knowledge of the core elements of a scholarly approach to investigations;

6. develop the ability to use information technology to access resources relating to community-based emergency health care;

7. demonstrate critical appraisal of the literature related to aspects of emergency care practice;

8. outline the epidemiological approaches to community based emergency health using examples of contemporary emergency health issues;

9. explore the variety of reactions of individuals and communities to health crises;

10. develop an understanding and awareness of inequalities in the community and their impact on health status and for the provision of adequate community-based emergency health services; and

11. outline the principles of evidence-based practice in determining the evidence and transmitting theory to practice in the setting of CBEH.

Assessment

Written exam (2 hour): 40%
Written assignment (1500 words): 30%
Short answer questions: 30%

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Emergency Health(Paramedic)