Units
Disaster Health: Principles, Planning and Practice
Unit code: SWB318
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This interdisciplinary unit introduces students to the principles and practices used in the management of major incidents and disasters, and the processes affecting individuals, groups and communities in the response and recovery phases. It has a particular emphasis on health and welfare responses. The roles, responsibilities and tasks which authorities and others undertake in order to safeguard the community and minimise disruption, dislocation and trauma are examined. Effective response by these systems to major incidents and disasters is examined along with the responsibilities and roles of individuals who must understand organisational planning and preparation, disaster management, and service coordination.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2012 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Despite its sophistication, modern society periodically faces major incidents and disasters which have significant multilevel consequences, including injury, disruption and psychosocial trauma for individuals and communities in crisis. Health and welfare practitioners play a significant role in disaster response and recovery. This unit provides you with an opportunity to examine the multiple issues involved in disaster management and to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to operate effectively in planning, responding and recovery phases.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to develop your knowledge and understanding of the health and welfare principles, processes and practice of major incidence management, and to develop skills to successfully operate within a disaster situation.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Provide evidence of a detailed knowledge and understanding of the principles, processes and practices of major incident and disaster health management and responses. (GVS 1.3, 1.4, 1.7; GVS 2.1)
- Describe organisational and operational arrangements and the roles and responsibilities of various authorities and organisations for disaster health and welfare management. (GVS 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8; GVS 2.3, 2.7)
- Articulate the traumatic impacts of disasters on the psychosocial health and wellbeing of people and to assess the merits of specific crisis and other interventions. (GVS 1.3, 1.11; GVS 3.1, 3.3)
- Demonstrate skills necessary for effective planning, preparation, response and recovery phases of disaster health management within particular disciplinary and organizational contexts. (GVS 3.3; GVS 4.2, 4.3, 4.4).
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards - 3.1, 3.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.6, 4.2, 4.2.2
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers - 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.5, 2.6, 2.9, 2.12, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.10, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, 4.9, 5.4, 6.3, 6.6,
Content
The unit will cover the following areas:
- The nature and definitions of disaster and human crisis.
- The conceptual basis for health and community disaster management.
- Planning and preparation for effective disaster and risk management.
- Incident response and management
- The roles and responsibilities of health practitioners in disaster health management.
- Crisis and other interventions at the macro and micro levels.
- Psychosocial responses to trauma and mental health issues.
- Recovery and restoration processes for community functioning including concepts of social capital, community capacity and resilience.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit will utilise a blended learning environment integrating virtual and campus learning and teaching. You will attend an intensive teaching period for three full days in a week preceding the start of the semester, followed by regular group activities to undertake assessment requirements concerning 'real world' disaster incidents, with a strong emphasis on utilisation of current affairs media relating to a variety of disaster situations. You will engage in online activities between the group activities.
The unit will be supported by a Blackboard site and by online discussion forums. The integration of information, communication and presentation technologies in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment is a key element of the pedagogy.
Assessment
The unit consists of two assessment items.
- The first is a 2000 word assignment comparing two disaster incidents concerning the nature of disasters, disaster preparation and management, and systemic and organisational arrangements and responsibilities - 50%.
- The second assessment item is a group activity based around a case study where students will demonstrate understanding and analytical ability in assessing a disaster situation and developing a response plan to address the relevant issues - 50%.
Assessment name:
Written Assignment
Description:
Students will be required to prepare a written assignment comparing and contrasting disaster management and recovery based on the available literature, research and other sources. The focus will be on the roles and responsibilities of relevant health and welfare agencies and practitioners (total 2000 words).
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Case Study Group Essay
Description:
Students will undertake a group assessment activity, with individual contributions being assessed, and critically analyse a case study of a disaster incident. Students will be progressively provided with an unfolding disaster event with detailed case information and required questions and tasks to complete. The assessment requirements are for each student to contribute a total of 2000 words in covering the following aspects of disaster management: Planning and preparation; Assessment and analysis of the scope and presenting issues; Development of a disaster response plan; and description of a specific crisis intervention to address community trauma. For example if four students are in the group, the total word limit is 8000 words. Due Date: progressively over weeks 8, 10 and 12.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group with Individual Component
Due date:
Progressive
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Resource materials
There are no materials or resources required to be purchased for this unit.
There is no specific set text for this unit. Online podcasts will be provided to students along with other reference material. References to case studies, readings and other materials will be provided for students. Online access will be provided to databases, case documents and research papers as per topic requirements. Some background references include:
Texts:
NB: There is no prescribed text for this program. Students may find the following reference texts useful.
Koenig K., & Schultz, C. (2010). Koenig and Schultz's Disaster medicine. Comprehensive principles and practices. Cambridge Medicine.
Ciottone, G., Anderson, P., auf der Heide, E., et al. (2006). Disaster Medicine. Philadelphia US: Mosby Elsevier.
Hogan, D., & Burnstein, J. (2007). Disaster Medicine. (2nd ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Risk assessment statement
There are no particular risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 13-Jun-2012
