Environmental Health Services Evaluation

Subject 505-966 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Distance only in 2008

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The subject comprises 12 weekly sessions to be undertaken by distance. Students will be expected to participate in discussions on the electronic forum/email, work through the reading materials and self assessed learning activities provided in the notes.)
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Ctr for Hlth Policy,Programs & Economics
Subject Overview:

This subject is designed for students interested or practising in environmental health. The subject introduces students to the evaluation of environmental health services or programs. Topics covered include: the importance of evaluating environmental health (EH) services, aspects of EH services that can be evaluated, and scoping and planning the evaluation. Stakeholder consultation and the need for culturally appropriate evaluations, in particular, evaluations involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations will be emphasised. Indicator development that includes the use of the DPSEEA environmental health indicator development framework will also be introduced. The subject also introduces the student to the strengths, limitations and common design and logistical issues concerning the evaluation of particular aspects of environmental health programs. A large range of environmental health case-studies and examples will be used to illustrate key evaluation concepts throughout the subject that include food safety, air pollution, aboriginal health, risk communication, and others.

On completion of the course students should be able to:
• demonstrate an understanding of the nature and purposes of evaluation in relation to environmental health services or programs;
• identify a range of approaches used in conducting evaluations of environmental health programs;
• identify important stakeholders and communicate the importance of negotiating the terms and design of an evaluation with these stakeholders;
• scope an evaluation of an environmental health service or program and establish and develop appropriate evaluation questions, criteria for judging particular aspects of the service and choose appropriate methods for collecting data;
• recognise the strengths, limitations and common design and logistical issues concerning the evaluation; and
• demonstrate the application of key evaluation concepts and tools using an environmental health case-study (E.g. aboriginal environmental health, food safety, air pollution).

Assessment: Minor Assignment: 1500 words due end of semester (30%); Major Assignment: 4000 words commencing at start of semester and due at end of semester (60%); and two (1-2 hour) teleconference tutorial discussions (participation or submission during semester (5% each). Students are expected to participate in 1-2 hour weekly electronic forum/email and/or teleconference discussions on the session material and work through the readings and short self appraisal tasks as detailed in the notes.
Prescribed Texts: Drew C.H., van Duivenboden J. & Bonnefoy X., Environmental Health Services in Europe 5: Guidelines for evaluation of environmental health services, WHO Regional Publications, European Series, No.90. 2000.
Recommended Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Level: 500

Links to further information: http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au
Notes:

This is a Group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health

Subject Coordinator: Ms Helen Jordan

Related Course(s): Master of Public Health

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