Course Title: Disability Health Support

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Disability Health Support

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PUBH1337

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010

PUBH1337

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jeff Walkley

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7359

Course Coordinator Email: jeff.walkley@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.3.202

Course Coordinator Availability: Please make an appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Students will have undertaken Aetiology and Physiology of Disability and will have an understanding of some of the causes of disability, and their possible impacts on the human body.


Course Description

‘Good health’ is an aspiration shared by most people. Evidence confirms that people with disability experience a different health status to other groups in society, Supporting people with a disability to achieve health is an important role for professionals with whom they interact. This course enables students to learn about health and acquire knowledge about the diverse range of health care issues affecting people with disability and those who provide support. A key element of this course is the concept of evidenced-based practice as it applies to the support of people with a disability to achieve health. Students will reflect and develop an understanding how health can be defined and used to guide their support of people with a disability. Disability health support will concentrate on the impact that having a physical and sensory disability, such as hearing impairment, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy, has for a person and the affect this has on their overall health. Topics include evidenced-based health practice, evaluating sources of information related to health, diet and nutrition, sexual health, physical activity, sun protection, health issues specific to women, health issues specific to men, introductory health assessment, personal hygiene and prevention of infection.  Government policies, procedures and guidelines including duty of care, documentation and recording, and the safe administration of health interventions and medicines will be overviewed.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the conclusion of this course and after completing all learning activities, students will be expected to be able to:
1. Describe evidenced-based health practice, and use this knowledge in the identification of credible health information sources and practices as related to people with a disability.
2. Describe health, and explain key definitions of health, and relate this information to people with a disability.
3. Recognise the health issues relevant to people with disabilities, and how to access appropriate services.
4. Identify appropriate health supports available to people with a disability.
5. Demonstrate and understanding of the legislative and policy requirements associated with disability health support.



Overview of Learning Activities

Students will be introduced to the course material in a variety of forms. They will be benefit from attending lectures and sessions; participate in course experiences and exercises, and complete assignments. It is anticipated this will encourage discussion and the expansion of knowledge in students as they are presented with the current health care issues that have been identified from a wide range of literature. Independent reading and reflection upon course topics will complement the material covered and assist with class discussions. Students will undertake a series of independent exercises in order develop their understanding of what is required to offer health support for people with a disability.


Overview of Learning Resources

Assigned readings and online resources.

Management Guidelines.  Developmental Disability. 2005, Version 2.  Therapeutic Guidelines: North Melbourne


Overview of Assessment

Assessment consists of three assignments, a reliability of health information report, an evidenced-based health promotion assignment, and a case study.