MPH5311 - Safety and quality in health care - 2018

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - 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

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Tracy Robinson

Coordinator(s)

Dr Tracy Robinson

Not offered in 2018

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in course 4529 or M6021

Synopsis

This unit will explore the historical, political and social factors impacting on quality measurement in health care. It will examine the relationship of industrial and health care quality monitoring, through use of epidemiological and statistical quality measurement principles. Strengths and limitations of current monitoring techniques and different sources of health care quality data will be examined. During the unit, the principles of clinical indicator programs, adverse event monitoring, satisfaction surveys and benchmarking will be utilised including the design, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement programs in clinical settings.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the factors that have led to a greater emphasis on quality measurement and improvement in health care.
  2. Discuss the tools that are used in quality measurement and improvement.
  3. Apply a knowledge of international quality improvement programs.
  4. Contribute to the debate on quality improvement issues - such as public disclosure of quality measures.
  5. Design a quality improvement program that may be implemented in the clinical setting.

Assessment

  • Responses to 6 weekly forum discussion topics (40%) (hurdle)
  • Written assignment (1,800 words) (30%)
  • Written assignment (1,800 words) (30%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 20 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

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