Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

We live in a rapidly changing, increasingly globalised world. We see movement of people for business, tourism, migration and political refuge at historically high levels. Mass internal migration in many countries is creating densely populated, polluted mega-cities. This creates new challenges for public health in controlling infectious diseases, environmental toxins and lifestyle-related problems. Health systems change rapidly too. Global and national health agencies must adapt and re-focus energies to deal with new challenges. Health professionals are moving throughout the world as the market for skilled people becomes more fluid and, in many ways, more exciting than ever before. In this changing world it is essential that public health graduates have a clear understanding of current international health, future challenges and career opportunities.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to provide an advanced-level analysis that explores global health systems and to provide students with skills in how to do in-depth analysis of complex health problems in developing countries.

Objectives

At the completion of the unit you should be able to:

1. Articulate a sound understanding of the history of major international health problems and systems before 1900 and the global organisations for international health developed over the past century;
   
2. Describe recent epidemiological trends in developing and developed countries (emerging and re-emerging diseases and other causes of death and disability);
   
3. Demonstrate an understanding of globalisation and its impact in national health systems;
   
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of multilateral and bilateral public health agencies;
   
5. Describe the philosophies which drive health systems such as health equity and ethics;
   
6. Clearly articulate some examples of successes and failures in practical programs that have been implemented in recent years;
   
7. Apply skills in researching and writing to undertake a situation analysis of an important health problem in an international setting;
   
8. Understand the diversity of career opportunites in international public health.

Content

• historical patterns of disease and development of health systems in rich and poor nations
  
• modern global health systems
  
• globalisation of health financing systems, including foreign aid
  
• organisation of the WHO, AusAID, Asia Development Bank, USAID, UN Health Programs, World Bank and others
  
• roles of non-government agencies including private and corporate philanthropy
  
• roles of international professional and academic associations for public health
  
• critical analysis of evidence regarding the impact of climate change on global health
  
• focus on developing countries: the competing demands between the need for basic service development at the grass roots level and international demands for economic reform
  
• international trends in Mental Health, Infectious Diseases and Chronic Diseases
  
• refugee health; travel and tourism health;
  
• successes and failures of international health development and health promotion activities
  
• career options

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lectures, tutorials and problem-based learning including case-study research.

Assessment

Formative Assessment

The three quizzes listed in Assessment Components will reflect the type of questions that will be in the final examination. As such, these quizzes will provide you with feedback on both your progress re your learning in this unit and the format of the final examination.

During tutorial times you will be taught how to undertake a situation analysis and examples of the type of report and presentation will also be provided thus assisting you with the completion of the assessment Presentation and Report.


Summative Assessment

As detailed in Assessment Components

Assessment name: 3 x Tutorial Quizzes
Description: Tutorial Quizzes x 3
Relates to objectives: 3,4,5,6
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Presentation & Report
Description: Situation Analysis Presentation and Report (20% for Oral presentation and 30% for Written Report)
Relates to objectives: 5,6,7
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 11 & 12

Assessment name: Final Exam
Description: Final Exam
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4,5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Examination Period

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

Recommended readings:

Gunn, SW et al (2005) Understanding the Global Dimensions of Health. New York: Springer.

Haider, M (2005) Global Health Communication. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett.

Karachi, I and Wamala, S (2007) Globalization and Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kemp, C and Rasbridge, L (2004)Refugee and Immigrant Health Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Merson, MH et al (2006) International Public Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems and Policies. 2nd edition. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

World Health Organisation (2002) International Travel and Health. Geneva: WHO

World Health Organisation, Mental Health http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/en/

Saraceno B, et al (2007) Barriers to improvement of mental health services in low-income and middle-income countries, Lancet, 370:1164

Blumenthal, D and Hsiao, W (2005) Privatization and its discontents - The evolving Chinese Health Care System, The New England Journal of Medicine, 353(11): 1165.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary 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: 17-Oct-2012