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HS1401 - Health and Health Care in Australia

Credit points: 03
Year: 2019
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences

Also available to students in other programs through negotiation with the Head of Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences.

This subject introduces students to the broad concepts surrounding demographic characteristics of the Australian population; location, age, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status and education. Changes in the Australian population over time; births, deaths, migration and changes in the composition of the population will be examined. Throughout this subject, epidemiological patterns of the Australian population; what makes people sick and well will also be explored with a particular focus on rural, remote and tropical Australia. Factors which impact upon the health status of the population and how these factors are measured, comparisons of the health status of Australia with other nations, the structure of the Australian health care system, how decisions are made about health service activity; access, resource allocation, federal/state relations, paying for health will all be explored throughout this subject. Further comparison will be made between rural, remote and metropolitan localities and how these factors influence health service delivery throughout these areas. Methods for accessing health and demographic data will also be introduced as well as the interpretation of this data. This subject will conclude by exploring the future of health care in Australia and how this will impact the practice of health professionals.

Learning Outcomes

  • compare the health of Australians across tropical, rural/ remote and metropolitan settings;
  • describe and compare the demographic characteristics of the Australian population;
  • describe the epidemiological patterns of the Australian population using statistical agencies and other data sources;
  • discuss the sociological factors that influence health outcomes in tropical, rural/ remote and metropolitan settings;
  • discuss the future of health care in Australia and consider the role of health care practitioners;
  • identify the fundamental aspects of the Australian health care system.

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 29-Aug-2019
Coordinator: Mr Nathan Dawes, Ms Mary O'Loughlin
Lecturers: Assoc. Professor Sue Devine, Ms Jemma King, Ms Rachel Barber, Mr Nathan Dawes, Dr Helma Antony, Ms Mary O'Loughlin, Mr Jack Seaton.
Contact hours:
  • 11 hours lectures
  • 18 hours tutorials
    Assessment: end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (10%); assignments (40%).
    Special Assessment Requirements: In order to pass this subject students must attempt all assessment items and achieve an overall grade of 50%.

    External, Study Period 2
    Census Date 29-Aug-2019
    Coordinator: Mr Nathan Dawes
    Lecturers: Assoc. Professor Sue Devine, Ms Jemma King, Ms Rachel Barber, Mr Nathan Dawes, <Person not found>, Ms Mary O'Loughlin, Mr Jack Seaton.
    Contact hours:
    • 13 hours - weekly online lectures/tutorials
      Method of Delivery: WWW - LearnJCU and Printed materials
      Assessment: end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (10%); assignments (40%).
      Special Assessment Requirements: In order to pass this subject students must attempt all assessment items and achieve an overall grade of 50%.
      Restrictions: Enrolment in this offering is restricted.

      Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
      Census Date 29-Aug-2019
      Coordinator: Mr Nathan Dawes, Ms Mary O'Loughlin
      Lecturers: Assoc. Professor Sue Devine, Ms Jemma King, Ms Rachel Barber, Mr Nathan Dawes, Dr Helma Antony, Ms Mary O'Loughlin, Mr Jack Seaton.
      Contact hours:
      • 11 hours lectures
      • 18 hours tutorials
        Assessment: end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (10%); assignments (40%).
        Special Assessment Requirements: In order to pass this subject students must attempt all assessment items and achieve an overall grade of 50%.

        Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
        Census Date 29-Aug-2019
        Coordinator: Mr Nathan Dawes, Ms Mary O'Loughlin
        Lecturers: Assoc. Professor Sue Devine, Ms Jemma King, Ms Rachel Barber, Mr Nathan Dawes, Dr Helma Antony, Ms Mary O'Loughlin, Mr Jack Seaton.
        Contact hours:
        • 11 hours lectures
        • 18 hours tutorials
          Assessment: end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (10%); assignments (40%).
          Special Assessment Requirements: In order to pass this subject students must attempt all assessment items and achieve an overall grade of 50%.

          Mackay, Internal, Study Period 2
          Census Date 29-Aug-2019
          Coordinator: Mr Nathan Dawes, Ms Mary O'Loughlin
          Lecturers: Assoc. Professor Sue Devine, Ms Jemma King, Ms Rachel Barber, Mr Nathan Dawes, Dr Helma Antony, Ms Mary O'Loughlin, Mr Jack Seaton.
          Contact hours:
          • 11 hours lectures
          • 18 hours tutorials
            Assessment: end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (10%); assignments (40%).
            Special Assessment Requirements: In order to pass this subject students must attempt all assessment items and achieve an overall grade of 50%.

            Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.