Year
2020
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 50-minute lecture weekly
1 x 2-hour tutorial weekly
Prerequisites
1 Admission into BHS-Bachelor of Health Sciences
1a Admission into BBSC-Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)
1b Admission into BPSY-Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
1c Admission into BND-Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics
1d Admission into BCLSBMBS-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
1e Admission into BHSMOT-Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Occupational Therapy
1f Admission into BMS-Bachelor of Medical Science
1g Admission into BHSMPT-Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Physiotherapy
1h Admission into BMSVMOPT-Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry
1i Admission into BCLSMD-Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
1j Admission into BITDHSH-Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Health Systems) (Honours)
1k Admission into BPARA-Bachelor of Paramedic Science
1l Admission into BHN-Bachelor of Human Nutrition
1m Admission into BEXS-Bachelor of Exercise Science
1n Admission into BEXSMCEXP-Bachelor of Exercise Science, Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
1o Admission into BLITTHL-Bachelor of Letters (Health)
1p Admission into BLITTHLG-Bachelor of Letters (Health) (Graduate Entry)
1q Admission into BHSAG-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Ageing)
1r Admission into BHSDH-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Digital Health)
1s Admission into BHSHM-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Health Management)
1t Admission into BHSHP-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Health Promotion)
1u Admission into BHSIN-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Innovation)
1v Admission into BHSPN-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Physiology and Neuroscience)
1w Admission into BHSPS-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology)
1x Admission into BHSTS-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Therapy Studies)
1y Admission into BSW-Bachelor of Social Work
1z Admission into BSWH-Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h or 1i or 1j or 1k or 1l or 1m or 1n or 1o or 1p or 1q or 1r or 1s or 1t or 1u or 1v or 1w or 1x or 1y or 1z))
Enrolment not permitted
1 of HLTH1302, HLTH1306 has been successfully completed
Assessment
Assignments; Library Exercise; Tutorial participation and Presentation.
Topic description
The topic provides an introduction to the work of health care professionals in the Australian context. This is achieved firstly, through an introduction to the Australian health care system and secondly, through an examination of the role and function of multidisciplinary care in health care. The topic provides opportunity for examining the work of various health professionals, such as paramedics, allied health, nurses and doctors, through international comparisons. Key issues in professionalisation and accreditation across the states, in hospitals and community settings, including private and public services in both rural and urban areas of the health sector will be examined. The focus is on providing students with a framework for understanding the Australian health care setting and the way in which the various professions operate within the Australian health care system, including their chosen future profession.
Educational aims
The aims of this topic are to:

  • Familiarise students with the structure and function of the Australian health care system;

  • Explore the divisions of labour in the health care sector, across disciplines, and the impact this has on practice of inter-disciplinary or multi-disciplinary care;

  • Understand the social concepts associated with health care systems;

  • Compare elements of international health care systems;

  • Introduce students to academic skills of searching for peer-reviewed literature and academic literacy; and

  • Encourage students to commence development of their own professional identity as a health professional.
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic, students will be expected to be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of key features of the Australian health care systems;

  • Critically discuss various theoretical and social concepts associated with health care systems;

  • Demonstrate both independent and collaborative skills in efficiently searching for up-to-date health care information on a range of health professions, using peer-reviewed journals and health professional association websites;

  • Analyse Australian health and health care policies and inquiries into the health sector that impact health professional groups;

  • Demonstrate understanding of evidence-based practice; and

  • Demonstrate professionalism in readiness for future practice.