James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

TM5534:03

Tropical Paediatrics *

February block mode.

Available to medical practitioners and experienced clinical nurses.

Staff: Assoc. Professor J Whitehall (Coordinator).

This subject considers the health problems of babies and children in the third world (including Australian aborigines) with emphasis on those in tropical environments. It is designed to meet some of the needs of a recent medical graduate or specialist nurse who is not trained in paediatrics but who intends to look after children in a developing country. Therefore, there is emphasis on recognition of disease, triage, resuscitation and early treatment of both medical and surgical problems. For example, an afternoon is spent with mock orthopaedic emergencies, another on resuscitation techniques and management of the newborn, another on manufacture and interpretation of specimens and another on minor surgical techniques and pain relief. The subject provides an update on current management of such tropical diseases as malaria, in a low resource setting. It looks with detail at such common diseases of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as gastro-enteritis, haematuria, rheumatic fever, anaemia and skin disease and vaccinations. Human rights and child health are considered.

Learning Objectives:

1. to understand determinants and patterns of child health in tropical regions;
2. to consider the epidemiology, aetiology, prevention and management of a range of major tropical illnesses affecting children in tropical regions and affecting Aboriginal children;
3. to demonstrate practical techniques of resuscitation, triage, pain relief and initial management of orthopaedic and surgical emergencies and minor surgical techniques;
4. critically analyse human rights issues relating to child health in tropical countries.

Assessment by two examinations (50% each).