MMED8106 Health Professions and Society1B: Introductory Professional Practice: Evidence and Engagement

2012

4.5

4 x 180-minute lecture-2s per semester
7 x 120-minute lecture-1s per semester
1 x 60-minute tutorial-1 per semester
4 x 120-minute tutorial-2s per semester
1 x 8-hour independent study weekly
1 x 50-minute on-line lecture per semester

1 Admission into BMBSG-Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Graduate Entry)
1a Admission into BCLSBMBS-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
1b Admission into BMBS-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
1c Admission into MD-Doctor of Medicine
1d Admission into BCLSMD-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
1e Admission into MDC-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
1f Admission into MDJ-Doctor of Medicine
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f))

Assignment(s); Fieldwork; Project work; Tutorial participation and presentation: Examination.

MMED8106 builds on the teaching from MMED8105 (semester 1) by introducing new concepts which underpin evidence and engagement within health professional practice. Key themes explored during this time include: Public Health, Statistics and Epidemiology. These components will explore epidemiology study and design, measures of association within epidemiology and statistics as well as primary determinants of health and illness within communities. Personal development sessions cover a variety of areas including critical appraisal proficiency, essential result interpretation skills as well as professional presentation sessions.

The aims of this topic are to provide:

• A practical understanding of the primary determinants of health and illness in individuals, communities and populations with development of skills to assess public health problems and resolve these with communities

• Application of skills and abilities in accessing and interpreting evidence to inform clinical practice

• The skills to participate in a structured and collaborative inquiry process with a commitment in pursuing better health outcomes.

Learning outcomes for each component in this topic:

Epidemiology

• A basic knowledge of epidemiological study designs

• Knowledge of bias, confounding and other sources of error in epidemiological studies

• A basic knowledge of measures of association in epidemiological studies

• An understanding of the statistical aspects of screening for disease in populations

• The knowledge necessary to be able to locate, read and critically appraise epidemiological research as presented in medical journals.

Public Health

• To understand how community health can be promoted through the integration of preventative and curative practice and through social or legislative changes.

• To understand the behavioural science under-pinnings of health promotion and prevention.

• To understand the economics of health care.

• To recognise the role of poverty in ill health.

• To recognise the need to balance individual and group responsibilities in health prevention and promotion.

• To be able to identify and solve problems in community health through knowledge of community and other resources.

Statistics

• Use concepts and have skills in interpreting and evaluating statistical information that will benefit professional health practice.

• Understand the correct use of study design and statistical processes in research and evaluation.

• Critically interpret statistical results, and relate their findings to relevant theory/literature in professional health practice.