HS2401 - Rural and Remote Primary and Public Health Care

Credit points:	03
Year:	2005
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:

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 Outcomes

• 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 issues faced by health professionals in rural and remote Australia including issues of staff recruitment and retention;
• describe the factors influencing the health and health care needs of rural and remote Australians;
• describe the health issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote Australia;
• describe the health status of rural and remote Australians;
• describe the interdisciplinary role of health professionals in rural and remote Australia;
• describe the nature of rural and remote Australian society;
• describe the priority health issues in rural and remote Australia today;
• describe the role that technology plays in rural and remote health;
• develop a rapid needs appraisal for planning health needs in a rural and remote community;
• identify relevant health policy that affects rural and remote Australians.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to calculate, produce, interpret and communicate numerical information;
• The ability to select and use appropriate IT tools;
• The ability to access and employ online technologies effectively;
• The ability to use and interpret different media;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Prerequisites:

HS1401

Availabilities
, , Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2005
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Sue Devine.
Contact hours:	13 hours 26 hours
Assessment:	(40%); (15%); (45%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.