Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Effective response by the health system to major incidents and disasters requires individuals who can help such organisations prepare, respond and recover. Individuals responsible for leading the planning and preparation of health services for a major incident should have extensive knowledge and understanding of the principles of disaster management, the disaster management arrangements in place internationally, nationally and locally and the principles and practice of disaster planning. They should also possess high level skills necessary to lead health organisations plan and prepare for major incidents and disasters. Upon completion of this unit, you should be better equipped to prepare health services for major incidents. You should also be able to advise on policy and formal disaster plans, and play a major role in their development.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to help you develop an extensive level of knowledge of disaster management prevention, mitigation, planning and preparedness and to develop your ability to manage these functions within health organisations. We seek to foster the development of your comprehension and your analytical skills.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to
1. Demonstrate an extensive understanding of the principles of prevention, mitigation and health planning including risk management in the context of major incidents and disasters.
2. Demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of the health care system's role in planning and preparation for major incidents.
3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the national and jurisdictional preparedness arrangements and the role of health services in those arrangements.
4. Identify the principles and processes required to prepare the health service for a major incident.
5. Demonstrate appropriate skills in major incident and disaster preparation and planning for health services.

Content

This unit will examine a number of topics. These include policy and planning for disasters, risk analysis, preparedness in the Emergency Medical System and the Health System, community resilience, special events and pandemics, remote response, rehabilitation and recovery and exercise designs. These topics are organised into four modules of study although these many issues do not neatly fit into separate areas but rather cross over amongst different aspects.




Module 1: Planning for Disasters
This module examines the context, principles and processes of disaster health planning.



Module 2: Health System Preparedness
This module involves study of preparedness arrangements in the Health System.



Module 3: Special Considerations
This module addresses the special needs for particular events or situations including pandemics.



Module 4: Community Preparedness
This module addresses the readiness of the community; its resilience, responsiveness and adaptability.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in both external and internal mode. It will be delivered through a combination of modalities including:
1. Extensive reading materials including case documents and reports, research papers, model plans, Government documents and Websites.
2. Formal presentations and tutorials conducted in face-to-face mode or via teleconferencing or other on-line modalities
3. A detailed study guide
4. Audiovisual material including case studies
5. Desk-top exercises.

Assessment

There are two assessments to be completed by the end of the study period.You will receive regular case-based practice questions in tutorials and based on study materials. Responses to these will be discussed and reviewed during tutorial times.
Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on all your assessments as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Workbook
Description: Description: At the end of each module, workbook exercises are provided which are designed as a review of the module. The workbook will be completed progressively and the whole workbook submitted at the completion of week 10 of semester.
The objective of the workbook is to help focus your learning by identifying some issues of significance and to provide you with feedback.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Description: You will undertake an examination of a major event. A commentary of the event should be prepared including a description of the event, an analysis of how the management of the event accorded with best practice principles and a discussion on how the lessons learned from the event may be applied in the future.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

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

There are no materials or resources required to be purchased for this unit.
You will be provided with access to all modalities and instructions on the Blackboard unit site. Students can expect to be provided with electronic access to the majority of references.
If you would like to locate the following resources, they may assist in your studies.

• Koenig K and Schultz C. Koenig and Schultz's Disaster medicine. Comprehensive principles and practices. Cambridge Medicine. 2010.


• Ciottone G, Anderson P, auf der Heide E et al. Disaster Medicine. Mosby Elsevier. Philadelphia US 2006.


• Hogan D & Burnstein J. Disaster Medicine 2nd Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2007

Reference journals:

Texts:
There is no set text for this unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit apart from those associated with substantial computer-based work. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH Guidelines to Students. Also ensure that your workstation is adjusted in accordance with these guidelines and that regular rest breaks are taken.

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: 07-Nov-2012