James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

HS1401 - Health and Health Care in Australia

Also available to students in other programs through negotiation with the Head of Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Subject Description

This subject introduces students to the broad concepts surrounding demographic characteristics of the Australian population; location, age, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status and education. Changes in the Australian population over time; births, deaths, migration and changes in the composition of the population will be examined. Throughout this subject, epidemiological patterns of the Australian population; what makes people sick and well will also be explored with a particular focus on rural, remote and tropical Australia. Factors which impact upon the health status of the population and how these factors are measured, comparisons of the health status of Australia with other nations, the structure of the Australian health care system, how decisions are made about health service activity; access, resource allocation, federal/state relations, paying for health will all be explored throughout this subject. Further comparison will be made between rural, remote and metropolitan localities and how these factors influence health service delivery throughout these areas. Methods for accessing health and demographic data will also be introduced as well as the interpretation of this data. This subject will conclude by exploring the future of health care in Australia and how this will impact the practice of health professionals.

Learning Outcomes

• compare the health of Australians across tropical, rural/ remote and metropolitan settings
• describe and compare the demographic characteristics of the Australian population
• describe the epidemiological patterns of the Australian population using statistical agencies and other data sources
• discuss the sociological factors that influence health outcomes in tropical, rural/ remote and metropolitan settings
• discuss the future of health care in Australia and consider the role of health care practitioners
• identify the fundamental aspects of the Australian health care system

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (50%) - Individual
• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Written > Briefing paper - (40%) - Group & Individual

Note that 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.

Special Assessment Requirements

Achieve an accumulative mark of 50% or greater in the combined assessments for this subject.

Availabilities