Monash University

Leader(s): Professor Frank Archer

Offered

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

Synopsis

Professionals working in emergency medical services do not operate in isolation but
as an integral part of a co-ordinated health care system. This unit aims therefore to
develop the clinician's understanding of the structure of the system in which they
work, the roles and responsibilities of co-workers, and the importance of adopting
effective communication, and operational strategies. Currently, emergency medical
services are changing rapidly with increasing sophistication and integration. This
unit will explore the international, national and local trends and drivers in this field.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. describe the emerging models of emergency health services;
2. analyse international trends in emergency health services and identify particular

relevance to the Australian context;

3. identify contemporary issues in emergency health services, eg. restructuring and

re-aligning service delivery, out of hours emergency primary health care and
alternative dispositions to the traditional hospital admission; the emergence of
acute care facilities versus hospital emergency departments; and,

4. identify potential new roles in emergency care.

Assessment

Position statements (3,000 word)(45%)
Assignment (2,000-2,500 words)(45%)
Participation in on-line and telephone tutorials (10%)

Contact hours

Off-campus students:
Students are required to spend 12 hours per week on this unit working through the
requirements of their learning contract. Total expected workload for the semester is 156 hours

Prerequisites

Students are expected to meet the entrance requirements for the post-graduate
coursework programs offered through DCEHPP as a prerequisite to enrolling in
this unit.