Healthcare in Context 1

Subject PHTY90093 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 40 hours in total including 20 hours of lectures, tutorials and seminars; and 20 hours of clinical placement.
Total Time Commitment: 70 hours.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N/A Fixed Course

Contact

Physiotherapy
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Level 1, 200 Berkeley St
Carlton Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 8344 6387
F: +61 3 8344 4188
E: physio-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
W: www.physioth.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject is the first in a series of three Healthcare in Context subjects that will be completed over the three year course duration. Students will be introduced to the Australian health care system and to theories and models of health. Specific attention will be paid to the bio-psychosocial model of health, including the relevance of sociology and behavioural sciences as explanatory concepts of health experience and delivery. Concepts such as inter-professional collaborative practice; primary health care; the World Health Organisations (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and Health Promotion will form the theoretical framework underpinning this subject. Students will be encouraged and assisted to access and establish relationships with communities as a way to understand theory in a health related context. Working in small groups, students will be assigned to local, rural, indigenous and refugee communities within Australia.
Objectives:

Element 1: Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

  • Explain the role of the physiotherapists and physiotherapy practice in different models of health with reference to individuals and communities operating in Australia.
  • Differentiate the WHO ICF classification of health and disability from other models of disability and illness.
  • Explain key psychological, social, economic and cultural determinants of health from the perspective of those responsible for health care provision and those making use of health care services.
  • Describe the political and economic context for the delivery of health care in Australia.

Element 2: Evidence in Physiotherapy

  • Explain how patient preference is incorporated into the evidence based practice model when adopted in physiotherapy practice.
  • Apply the WHO ICF model of health and disability when evaluating the impact of acute and chronic conditions at an individual level.

Element 3: Health in Context

  • Work ethically and collaboratively to gather community members’ narratives about health and healthcare services as a way of understanding different perceptions of ‘health’ and ‘wellness’.
  • Identify and contrast how two communities interpret ‘health’ and ‘wellness’ and the social, economic and cultural elements that shape this perception.
Assessment:
  • Written assignment: based on literature review of key psychological, social, economic and cultural determinants of health. 1,000 words due approximately week 8 of semester (30%).
  • Group assignment: based on 1) interview of community members and 2) research (individual assignment) to prepare a Wiki summarising factors that influence a community’s perception of health and wellness. 1,000 words due approximately week 10 of semester (35%).
  • Group assignment: to design an e-poster that highlights the similarities and differences between findings from their own community project and one other community project as outlined in another groups wiki. Six slides due at end of the semester (35%).
    • Prescribed Texts: None.
    Recommended Texts: None.
    Breadth Options:

    This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
    Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
    Generic Skills:

    By the completion of this subject, students will have had the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:

    • Awareness of social and cultural factors that may affect their professional career;
    • An appreciation of the importance of, and skills in developing a team approach in working with colleagues;
    Recognition of diversity in health belief, lifestyles, culture and values.
    Related Course(s): Doctor of Physiotherapy

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