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Leadership in Disaster Health Management

Unit code: PUN454
Contact hours:
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs

This unit develops students' capacity to manage a health service so that it is prepared and capable of managing a major incident. It is intended for those who are likely to be responsible for designing response arrangements, instructing others in those arrangements and for managing the health service strategically throughout a major incident.

Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 2 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Effective management of the health aspects of major incidents and disasters requires individuals who have the ability to lead and direct health organisations to prepare, respond and recover from such incidents. Such individuals should have extensive knowledge and understanding of the principles of disaster management, the disaster management arrangements in place internationally, nationally and locally and the practice of disaster management. They should also possess high level skills necessary to lead health organisations before, during and after such events.

Aims

The aim of this unit is for you to develop your ability to lead the preparation, planning, response and recovery phases of disaster management and to ensure health organisations within your control have in place the necessary organisational and other arrangements to minimise the impact of such incidents on the health and wellbeing of the community. This unit is intended for those who are likely to be responsible for designing response arrangements, instructing others in those arrangements and for managing the health service strategically throughout a major incident.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will have:
1. An understanding of the key strategic issues confronting disaster health management and the strategies required to manage those issues.
2. The ability to design and implement disaster health management arrangements within health care organisations and systems.
3. The ability to lead and manage a multidisciplinary team through preparation for and response to disasters.
4. The ability to evaluate preparations, and response and recovery arrangements for disasters.

Content

This unit will examine a number of topics organised within four modules of study.
Module 1: Strategic Issues
This module examines system wide disaster management policy and planning frameworks, the health response management framework, international planning and assistance frameworks, refugee and humanitarian issues, the legal and ethical aspects of disaster management and business continuity and infrastructure protection.
Module 2: Crisis Leadership Skills
This module involves study of disaster human resource management, staff fatigue, safety and support, managing media and communications, cultural and special needs, family and volunteers.
Module 3: Education, Evaluation and Reporting
This module will allow you to develop an in-depth understanding of the reporting requirements of major events, promotion of disaster health education and developing a research program in disaster management.
Module 4: Future Developments
This module will help you plan elements of and strategies for new developments in health disaster response.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

We will use multiple methods to achieve this unit's objectives. Written material in the form of a study guide and associated readings will be reinforced through interactive tutorials, scenarios and case based exercises. There is a focus on the application of principles to real situations.
Students will be provided with reading material which you are encouraged to examine prior to attending the block program. This material includes workbook exercises which are part of the formative assessment for the unit. This unit is also available to individuals wishing to undertake professional development. Participants in such programs may undertake assessment activities to obtain unit credit.
All students will be provided with an extensive array of material including a unit information document, a Study Guide, lecture slides, readings and podcasts. There will also be teleconferences for external students or on an individual or groups basis.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed by the end of the semester.You will receive feedback from tutors and peers. Several aspects of different types of major incidents will be analysed in the context of a major incident report as per the assignment. Practice questions on principles will provide formative assessment in the style of the end of semester exam.
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.
Formative
At the end of each module, workbook exercises will be set which are designed as a review of the module.
The objective of the workbook is to help focus your learning by identifying some issues of significance and to provide you with feedback.

Assessment name: Report
Description: Students will make a brief 10 minute presentation on a major incident. This presentation will be in the form of an executive briefing and include:
a. A description of the event and its impact.
b. An analysis of how the management of the event accorded with best practice principles.
c. A discussion of how the lessons learned from the event may be applied in the future.
The assignment should demonstrate your analytical abilities, an understanding of the basic principles and the ability to address the issues. External students who are unable to attend the block program should prepare this in the form of a set of PowerPoint or equivalent slides (Maximum 10 slides) with attached notes which highlight the key points.

THIS ASSESSMENT CAN BE UNDERTAKEN INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUPS.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Students will undertake a case-based 'take home' exam. The topic for the examination will be placed on the website and emailed to you on the 25th October and students will have three weeks to submit their final report. Submissions should be made through Blackboard.
The response will be in the form of an executive brief intended to outline:
a. The background and context of the topic or incident
b. Its significance to disaster health management
c. The key issues of strategic significance
d. Recommendations for improvement.
Your response will be expected to be strategic in its approach and to demonstrate your understanding of the principles of leadership and strategic lessons to be learned. Your response should be within the limits of 1500-3000 words.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Case Study (Strategic Brief)
Description: Students will examine a particular issue of strategic disaster health management and write a strategic brief on the issue. This brief should consider:
a. What the issue is and its impact on disaster health management.
b. Why this is a significant issue.
c. What are the elements of the issue?
d. What would you recommend should be done to address the issue?
This should incorporate conceptual frameworks and leadership principles and should include such data as is appropriate. It should be focussed at a strategic level; seeking to identify how this issue could be attended to in your community. The brief should be precise and concise within the range of 1500 to 3000 words.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 30%
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. However you may find one of the following to be a useful adjunct to the other information presented to you. There may also be a number of texts in the library you may find useful
NB: You do not need to purchase any text and certainly not all texts unless you find them a useful adjunct to your professional library.


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

  • Ciottone, G, Disaster Medicine, Mosby Elsevier 2006

  • Hogan, D & Burntein J, Disaster Medicine, Second Edition, Lippincott 2007


  • Antosia, R & Cahill, J, Handbook of bioterrorism and Disaster Medicine, Springer NY 2006


Journals
The following journals will help you identify some of the common and current issues.

Websites
These websites will also be helpful sources of information that will assist you with location of information:

You are expected to use the campus libraries but can also access the resources electronically through the blackboard site on the internet.

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Risk assessment statement

Substantial computer-based work will be required. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH Guidelines to Students. You should ensure that your workstations are 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