OT4002:03
Contemporary Issues for Health Professionals
Townsville
Prerequisites: OT3005
3 lectures, 20 tutorials, 28 hours workshops. Second semester.
This subject enables small groups of students to be self directed in focussing on contemporary practice issues. The changes and challenges of existing concepts for Occupational Therapy will be explored, along with new skills to equip therapists into the twenty-first century to enable them to work more effectively in the current and future work arena. Topics relevant to the current social, political and economic climate for occupational therapy practice will be explored and may amongst others include, cost containment issues, the multiple determinants of health, inequity of service provision, consumer advocacy, indigenous health, community and rural practice.
Learning Objectives:
- review, consolidate and integrate previously acquired learning into a coherent basis for practice and professional development;
- describe and analyse current trends in health and social policy and their consequences for clients and care providers;
- explore various directions and roles for occupational therapy;
- discuss how occupational therapists might influence the development of social policy for reducing social inequality;
- discuss current issues effecting practice now and in the future with particular emphasis on Indigenous and rural issues for rural and Indigenous health;
- develop skills in self reliance and working co-operatively in small teams.
Assessment by small group assignment (40%); small group presentation (40%); attendance at Contemporary Issues Block (10%); attendance at tutorials (10%). A pass mark must be achieved in each component to obtain an overall pass.