Leader: Dr M Sewell

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This elective covers the history and scope of prevention, the role of the GP: individual vs population, principles of behaviour change, stress management, risk assessment and evaluation of preventive strategies, prevention of cardiovascular disease, prevention of cancer, organising the practice, osteoporosis and prevention in the elderly and community resources and organisations.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Trace the history and scope of preventative medicine and appreciate the important role of public health organisations in provision of health education and health promotion;
2. Identify the differences between the population/public health approach to prevention and the individual/high risk approach, and the potential role for the GP in both these domains;
3. Exercise the skills necessary to evaluate and critically appraise (using an evidence-based model approach where necessary), practice-based and population-based health promotion strategies;
4. Understand the principles of behaviour change and how to apply these in the consulting room;
5. Understand the importance of preventive care in cardiovascular disease;
6. Recognise the importance of practice organisation in facilitating preventive care and the role played by IT in this process; and
7. Apply the knowledge and skills gained in this module to successfully carry out medical audits which may result in implementing changes to the way prevention is practiced.

Assessment

Essay (25%)
Journal (25%)
Clinical Audit (50%)