Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

In this Unit students will develop knowledge and skills for public health and health promotion program design and implementation. These are core competencies for health promotion practice. Students will develop skills in community needs assessment, determining priorities and defining target populations, and selecting an appropriate mix of strategies based on evidence and theory. Strategies that take into account social and health inequalities will be examined. Students will consider key steps in implementation management and methods for building program sustainability. The planning and evaluation cycle will be examined to assist students to develop a comprehensive evaluation plan. Case studies, group work, planning tools and evaluations of health promotion programs will be used to develop practical problem-solving skills.

Objectives

1. describe the steps in planning a preventive health program;
2. identify data sources for needs assessment and community profiles;
3. develop a needs assessment incorporating elements of community profiling as the basis of an evidence-based program plan;
4. use published literature and formative research to identify determinants of population health needs that can be changed by health promotion action;
5. write SMART project goals and objectives that are clearly linked to health determinants;
6. apply a range of theories and evidence to select strategies that will meet project objectives;
7. identify administrative and management issues that need to be addressed for successful program implementation;
8. select approaches that maximise the potential for program sustainability, and.
9. describe the links between project planning and evaluation and the key steps in evaluation planning.

Assessment

Seminar presentation: 10%
Health profile: 30%
Intervention map: 40%
Project implementation plan: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Ben Smith

Contact hours

1 hour lecture, 2 hours of tutorials and self-directed learning plus per week plus one 3-hour site visit per semester.

Prerequisites

HSC2101