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
Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Co-requisites
Must be enrolled in M2011
Synopsis
This unit will deliver a structured introduction to public health and the Australian healthcare system. This introduction will address contemporary public health principles and practices including key concepts such as population health, social determinants of health, and the core roles and functions of public health systems, policies and programs. Students will gain a preliminary knowledge of the organisation, current policies and policy debates, funding arrangements and emerging trends in healthcare practice.
A feature of the unit is an inclusive approach to the understanding of health from a paramedic perspective. This approach will consider aged care, disability, mental health and acute care in addition to established health services. Case studies, relevant to paramedic practice, will be used to consolidate the theoretical material.
Students will develop a reflective understanding of their own experience of health care, and be able to identify their assumptions regarding health and the practice of health care. Overarching themes will include an overview of the health system, specialist sectors and working in the health space.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Describe the principles underpinning public health practice.
- Discuss how behavioural, social, cultural, environmental and political determinants contribute to health outcomes.
- Describe the components and organisation of the Australian healthcare system.
- Discriminate between polices which inform, and the arrangements which fund, the Australian healthcare system.
- Distinguish between the current policy debates and service models relevant to the current Australian healthcare system.
- Identify the inter-sectorial and multi-disciplinary components of the Australian healthcare system and compare healthcare practices.
Assessment
NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
- Weekly in-class quizzes (20%)
- Portfolio including a 1,500 word individual report and a group presentation (40%) (hurdle)
- Exam (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
Workload requirements
On-campus: A combination of lectures, tutorials, and online activities (6 hours per week), and self-directed study (6 hours per week).
See also Unit timetable information