James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2011

TM5564 - Acute Care in the Resource Poor Environment

Credit points: 03
Year: 2011
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: Sch Public Health,Trop Medicine&Rehabilitation Sc

This subject provides students with an overview of the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the successful provision of acute care in a resource poor environment. The subject would encompass the full spectrum of care provided, from prior program planning and personal preparation through to recognition of problems and alternatives and how difficulties may be avoided, accepted or overcome. The focus for the subject will be on developing a fuller understanding of the difficulties encountered in providing acute care to patients in resource poor environments. It is principally concerned with the provision of care in countries other than Australia, where there are serious limits on the provision of funding for staff, equipment and medicines, such that these limitations directly impact on the provision of care. Comparison will be made with "standard health care" within Australia to provide a frame of reference for students. While the focus is on the international environment other examples used will also include isolated and remote care within Australia and the challenge provided when resources are limited by other means. These examples will include mention of wilderness medicine and those that also encompass actual risk to the care provider such as in extreme physical environments or potentially hostile surrounds. Acute care in major disasters will also be examined as an example of an environment when resources become scarce due to overwhelming demand.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate Qualities


Availabilities

Townsville, Block, Study Period 4
Census Date 17-Mar-2011
Face to face teaching 21-Mar-2011 to 01-Apr-2011
Coordinator: Dr Peter Aitken, Dr David Symmons
Lecturers: Dr Peter Aitken, Dr David Symmons, Professor Richard Speare.
Contact hours:
  • 27 hours lectures
  • 6 hours tutorials
  • 6 hours practicals
  • 15 hours workshops/Seminars
    Assessment:end of semester exam (40% - 70%); presentations (30% - 50%); assignments (30%).
    Special Assessment Requirements:Students must attend at least 80% of the programmed lectures and the attendance at practical sessions and class presentations is compulsory.
    Restrictions: An enrolment quota applies to this offering.

    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.