Course Title: The Australian Health Care System

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: The Australian Health Care System

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PUBH1399

City Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2013

PUBH1399

City Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Internet

Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

PUBH1399

City Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Internet

Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019

PUBH1401

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014

Course Coordinator: Dr Robyn Moffitt

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3729

Course Coordinator Email: robyn.moffitt@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 12.07.016B-2


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course will provide you with an overview of the health care system in Australia and how it compares to major health care systems around the world. You will be able to identify the levels of health care from primary care to secondary and tertiary care and the role and responsibility of the States and Commonwealth in the funding and provision of those facilities. The role of the private and public sector in the provision of health care and the contribution of the private sector to the overall national health care strategy will be examined. The governance and provision of health care in a changing context will provide a fertile environment to discuss the provision of health care into the 21st century.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP 154 Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology):

  • PLO 1:  Understand appropriate and relevant fundamental and  applied evidence based knowledge and undertake lifelong learning to improve personal and professional practice 
  • PLO 2: Demonstrate a capacity to employ a variety of approaches and procedures to research to permit judgements and decisions to be supported by appropriate evidence that places practice within a global and local context.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Identify the features of various health care systems from around the world
  2. Conceptually map and evaluate Australia’s healthcare system
  3. Compare and contrast underlying rationales, policies, societal needs and resource demands of the Australian healthcare system
  4. Argue the comparative advantages and disadvantages of current approaches to health care in Australia
  5. Discuss contemporary issues such as the role of public versus private systems, decentralized health care, and the national contribution (Medicare) and identify the contribution of the various health professions including Medicine, Nursing, Complementary Medicine and Mental Health.


Overview of Learning Activities

The course is offered online and includes lecture video recordings and other video-based learning content, learning exercises, and discussion forums. Revision quizzes are provided so that students can review and evaluate their progress and ability to adequately understand the material presented.

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. Readings will be drawn from a variety of journals, government reports and textbooks. You are required to undertake the recommended readings each week and acquire a working knowledge of the essential aspects of the Australian Health Care System. Your reading is guided by a set of learning objectives and is structured so that you may explore aspects that are of interest and relevance to your future career. Finally, you are provided with an opportunity to apply this knowledge to your future profession. You will be encouraged to use online facilities, including links to web material and access to the course discussion board, to develop a deeper understanding of the course material.

 

Teacher Guided Hours: 36 per semester

Learner Directed Hours: 72 per semester


Overview of Learning Resources

The learning resources associated with this course will include targeted readings from primary and secondary resources that cover the essential areas of the Australian Health Care System. Material may be available online via the course myRMIT Studies site and any prescribed readings.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Early Assessment Task: Written assignment

Weighting 15%

This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3, 4 & 5

Assessment Task 2: Weekly multiple choice tests

Weighting 40%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Assessment Task 3: Project

Weighting 45%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5