PBH1102 - Introduction to communicating health - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

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

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Coordinator(s)

Ms Micaela Drieberg

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

In this unit, students will be introduced to theory and practice to assist with constructing and communicating public health information to various audiences from individuals to larger groups and the general public.

Students will explore message development and delivery, and examine a range of contemporary public health case studies in addition to analysis of recent communication campaigns.

The unit will cover health communication skills with various audiences and include the development of interpersonal skills, visual and written materials.

Health literacy, social marketing, working with the mass media and online health communication will also be explored.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will:

  1. Distinguish different approaches to health communication.
  2. Define theoretical models of communication, social change and marketing in relation to health and their application in approaches to health promotion.
  3. Demonstrate oral and written presentation skills for a range of professional and lay audiences including low literate audiences.
  4. Identify key stages in designing a communication campaign and apply them to a selected health issue.
  5. Examine the role of the media in the construction of health issues.
  6. Evaluate the communication strategies adopted by a range of local and international health communication examples as well as a range of health communication materials (print-based, electronic and web-based).

Assessment

  • Reflective essay (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Individual Health Communication Poster (20%)
  • Written Report (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Team Oral Presentation (10 minutes) (20%)

Hurdle Requirement:

80% attendance at tutorials 80% participation in online tasks.

Workload requirements

1 hour lecture, 2 hour tutorial, 3 hours of directed online student learning activities, plus 6 hours of self-directed study per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Prohibitions