MCM9305 - Preventive care in clinical practice

Leader(s): Dr I Chenoweth

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit explores topics such as the history and scope of preventive care, the role of the GP, practice organization for preventive care, risk assessment and evaluation of preventive strategies, prevention of cardiovascular disease and principles of behaviour change. As prevention is a dynamic and changing area of practice, this unit will emphasise the processes involved in practicing prevention and the implications of these in the general practice setting.

Objectives

One completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Outline the history and scope of preventive medicine.
2. Discuss the role of public health organizations in providing health education and health promotion.
3. Distinguish and assess the differences between the population approach and the individual approach to preventive care.
4. Critically appraise health promotion strategies, both within a general practice, and within a community.
5. Outline the principles of behaviour change and how to apply these in the consulting room.
6. Utilise clinical audit as a tool for assessing, improving and monitoring the provision of preventive care by a general practice.
7. Apply principles of good preventive care in the clinical area of cardiovascular disease.
8. Determine how to organize a general practice so that comprehensive preventive care can be integrated with the practices other, daily activities.

Assessment

Journal activities (25%)
Clinical audit (50%)
Essay (25%)

Prohibitions

DFM3005, MFM1005