Environmental Health Services Evaluation

Subject 505-966 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 2-hour lecture per week (Classroom)
Total Time Commitment: Classroom: In addition to the stated contact hours, students are expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours per week on this subject.
Distance: Approximately 120 hours studying course materials, including on-line learning activities, nominated readings and textbooks, and tutorials with forum and asynchronous tutor contact.
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

Contact

Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics

School of Population Health

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.
Objectives: 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 submission of two exercises due week 4 & 8 of semester (5% each).
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:

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

This is a Group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health
Related Course(s): Master of Public Health

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