Leader: Mrs Mollie Burley

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Mildura First semester 2008 (Off-campus)

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 key stakeholders 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. distinguish between the ideas that underpin the characteristics of health systems and service delivery models;
2. demonstrate understanding of the policy process;
3. describe the rural/regional health policy framework;
4. explain the interrelationships between the health needs of rural communities, health policy and rural health service models;
5. critically analyse health policy decision-making and implementation processes in the context of rural health care; and
6. analyse and explain the relationship between rural health policy and a specific rural health issue.

Assessment

On-line poster presentation and discussion: 50%
Case study: 50%

Prerequisites

SRH3001