HS2401:03
Rural and Remote Primary and Public Health Care
Townsville | HECS Band 2 |
13 hours lectures, 26 hours tutorials, approximately 13 hours other. Semester 2.
Available to all students enrolled in the Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy programs. Also available to students in other programs through negotiation with the Head of School.
This subject introduces students to the principles and practices of primary health care and public health in the rural and remote Australian context. The student will gain an understanding of the nature of rural society and how these societies have changed over time, including the influences of economy, environment, geography and cultural diversity. Demography and demographic change and its impact on rural society and life will be discussed and the health status and the factors that influence the health of rural and remote Australians will be presented, including the health of indigenous people.
Students will gain an understanding of policies affecting rural health as well as learning about the role of health professionals in work in rural and remote areas and the issues that they face. Different models of primary health care service planning and delivery will be presented and the role that technology plays in health service delivery will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
- describe the nature of rural and remote Australian society;
- describe the health status of rural and remote Australians;
- describe the factors influencing the health and health care needs of rural and remote Australians;
- describe the priority health issues in rural and remote Australia today;
- identify relevant health policy that affects rural and remote Australians;
- describe the health issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote Australia;
- outline methods of consultation in rural and remote communities including Indigenous communities;
- compare and contrast different models of primary health care service delivery in rural and remote communities;
- describe the interdisciplinary role of health professionals in rural and remote Australia;
- describe issues faced by health professionals in rural and remote Australia including issues of staff recruitment and retention;
- develop a rapid needs appraisal for planning health needs in a rural and remote community;
- describe the role that technology plays in rural and remote health.
Assessment by end-of-semester examination; assignments throughout the semester and an end-of-semester oral presentation.