Public Health in Practice

Subject POPH90227 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 29 hours: 1 block of six hours in week 1; eight weekly 2 ½ hour sessions (1 hour seminar and 1 ½ hour PBL); 1 three hour seminar for oral presentations
Total Time Commitment: 120 Hours
Prerequisites: -
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

Contact

Dr Melissa Russell
Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic (MEGA) Epidemiology
Melbourne School of Population Health
Email: melissar@unimelb.edu.au

OR

Academic Programs Office
Melbourne School of Population Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 9339
Fax: +61 3 8344 0824
Email: sph-gradinfo@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject is the compulsory capstone subject within the Master of Public Health. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the pre-requisite subjects to real-world scenarios through a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach. Students will learn how knowledge of the health status of the population and the environmental, biological, behavioural, cultural and social determinants of health are essential to implement interventions to improve and protect health in an effective, efficient and equitable manner. Contemporary population health issues (indigenous health, local and global health, tobacco use, HIV and AIDs) will be explored to critically appraise different population-based preventive strategies such as legislation, promoting healthy lifestyles, vaccination, screening and surveillance.

Also within this subject post graduation career development and career opportunities in public health will be explored.

Objectives: At the completion of the subject, students are expected to be able to:
  • Assess the health status of communities and prioritise the community’s health issues;
  • Identify the determinants of health issues within communities;
  • Assess and compare the evidence for potential health interventions;
  • Select the most appropriate interventions to protect and improve a community’s health (in the context of evidence, value for money and socio-cultural factors and geographic factors);
  • Plan strategies for interventions (e.g. vaccination, screening, education, legislation, policy, community development, appropriate physical interventions to ensure a safe and healthy environment) to protect and improve health;
  • Evaluate intervention processes and outcomes and incorporate evaluation results into an ongoing cycle of assessing health needs and planning interventions
Assessment: An assignment of 1500 words, due week 7 (30%); an oral group presentation of 30 minutes on the last teaching day (15%); PBL participation marked by students and tutor – assessment of other students is due during assessment period (10%); written assignment of 2000 words, due during assessment period (40%); and a critical reflection of achievement of course objectives through classroom and assessment activities (500 words, 5%) due during the assessment period
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:
  • Working with others and in teams
  • Problem-solving
  • Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
  • Initiative, autonomy and organization
  • Oral communication
Related Course(s): Master of Public Health
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Gender && Women's Health
Global Health
Health Economics && Economic Evaluation
Health Program Evaluation
Primary Care
Sexual Health
Social Health

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