MMED8204 Health Professions and Society 2A: Socially Responsible Health Practice

2012

4.5

16 x 110-minute lectures per semester
3 x 180-minute seminars 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 BCLSMD-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
1d Admission into MD-Doctor of Medicine
1e Admission into MDC-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
1f Admission into MDJ-Doctor of Medicine
2 MMED8100 - First Year Medicine Aggregate (36 Units)
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f) and 2)

Assignments; Library Exercise Tutorial participation and presentation; Project

This topic is taught in conjunction with MMED8205. This topic deepens the student's knowledge and concepts that underpin socially responsible health professional practice. It critically examines the role of the health professionals in society, especially in relation to knowledge of the ways in which health departments around the world do, and do not, contribute to socially responsible practices. This topic deepens understanding of core concepts of public health, Indigenous health, health psychology and foundations of law and ethics and cultural awareness. Personal development focuses on lifelong learning in relation to research, informatics and critical appraisal skills that respectfully engages communities and a range of professions. During the topic, students will work in groups to consider, plan or conduct research and critical appraisal exercises in collaboration with organisations, community groups and civil society organisations.

The aim of this topic is for students to be able to:

• Integrate health promotion and disease prevention with the management of illness and injury

• Understand that modern medical practice is based upon an integrated body of knowledge including the behavioural and social sciences

• Understand the patient centred model of medical practice

• Advocate for patient care and service as a central focus in medical practice; and understand health professional roles and the responsibilities of doctors within health teams

• Understand health delivery models.

Course learning outcomes addressed in this topic:

In the context of individual health attitudes and perceptions

• an understanding of the integrated body of knowledge derived from the physical, biological, behavioural and social sciences that form the basis of modern medical practice

In the population health context

• an understanding of population health patterns and distribution in Australia and internationally and the methods and process by which population health information is accumulated

• an understanding of the context of causation - determinants of disease, injury, illness and disability

In the socio-cultural context of medical practice

• a sensitivity to the diverse cultures and contexts in the Australian and international health systems and the impact of different cultures and contexts on health outcomes and patient care

In the professional context

• an understanding and an ability to work within the legal and ethical frameworks which determine clinical practice

• the ability to work in teams with medical and health professional colleagues

In the informational context: research, evaluation and measurement

• a demonstration of skills and abilities in self-evaluation, audit, safety and quality monitoring and research

In the health services structural and functional context

• a recognition that medical practice should be undertaken with due regard to available resources and in a manner which encourages patients to assume increasing responsibility for their own health and to participate in decisions about their health care