PUB104 Australian Health Care Systems
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PUB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,040 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,597 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,024 |
| International unit fee | $4,044 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PUB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Hamish Robertson | h5.robertson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The unit is designed to give a broad overview of the systems of health care in Australia and their operation. This knowledge is essential for anyone who is seeking to achieve the best outcomes for patients and the broader community. This unit draws on diverse disciplinary thinking to analyse health care systems and prepare learners for various professional roles including public health, clinical care and health service management.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the context of health and health care in Australia.
- Examine health care services, their organisation, governance and methods of operation.
- Critically discuss issues associated with the management of health resources informed by diverse sources of evidence.
- Analyse strengths and limitations of the contemporary health system as they relate to the system’s sustainability and the promotion of equity.
- Synthesise health care system principles and practice to inform contemporary health systems management.
Content
The unit is divided into four modules. Topics addressed include:
- The context in which health care is provided in Australia including the conceptual basis of health, health status and trends, the role and classification of health systems and factors influencing health system design;
- The organisation and governance of health services including the roles of governments, the legislative framework, systems of governance and the perspectives of stakeholders;
- Health resources including finance, human resources, technology, pharmaceuticals and capital infrastructure;
- Current issues and reform in the health sector including resource allocation and decision-making; health and healthcare inequity experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse, Indigenous and rural and remote populations; and the principles, drivers and barriers of health system reform.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures - delivered on-campus and offered synchronously online. Recordings are available.
- tutorials (separate online and on-campus offerings)
- guest presentations from key industry experts
- self-directed online learning modules, including online readings
- team learning and peer feedback
- embedded Library and Student Success Group support for writing and other academic skills
This unit adopts a blended learning approach that will require you to engage in a range of weekly classes and self-directed learning activities. You are encouraged to share diverse disciplinary thinking with your peers during group work and other learning activities.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive formative feedback from your peers and the unit's teaching team through tutorial discussions centered around the unit's learning outcomes and respective assessment items.
You will receive progressive feedback on each workbook at the end of each module.
Individualised summative feedback will be provided to you after each of the unit's submission deadlines.
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments in this unit.
1. Short Answer Workbook - This will cover learnings about the way the Australian healthcare system is structured and functions.
2. Exam (invigilated) - This will require you to synthesise your learning about the health care system to inform future health system management.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Short Answer Workbook
You will respond to a series of short prompts and case studies taken from real world scenarios, which require you to adopt different roles, such as a health system planner. In these scenarios you will need to analyse the provided information and provide professional recommendations in the form of a brief for diverse audiences such as policy makers, clinicians and community members. The purpose of these activities is to inform future system design to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of the health system.
Workbooks will be assessed in 4 parts, each part containing 2-4 activities, and correspond to the completion of the respective module of the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam (invigilated)
The examination will be comprised of multiple choice and extended response questions, testing your knowledge and understanding of the unit content and your overall achievement of the unit learning outcomes. The timed assessment will take place during the central examination period.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There are no core texts for this unit however it is recommended that you have access to at least ONE of the below recommended texts.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Duckett S., Willcox, S. (2022). The Australian Health Care System (6th ed.). Australia: Oxford University Press.
Palmer, G. R., Short, S.D. (2014). Health Care and Public Policy: An Australian Analysis (5th ed.) Australia: Palgrave MacMillan.
Reynolds, L., Debono, D., & Travaglia, J. (2024). Understanding the Australian Health Care System (5th ed.). Chatswood, N.S.W: Elsevier Australia.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit except for those associated with substantial computer-based work. You should ensure that you take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PU51 Bachelor of Health Information Management
- Critically evaluate and apply theoretical and technical perspectives on health information management (HIM), applicable to professional practice to solve routine and emergent problems. [Knowledge, Practice]
Relates to: Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Initiate effective approaches for engaging in critical thinking, decision making and problem solving that reflect diverse perspectives and culturally safe and responsive practice, encompassing evidence-based HIM solutions. [Practice, Values/Disposition
Relates to: Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Exercise judgement in the context of HIM, informed by sustainable, legal, ethical, and professional perspectives that promote social inclusivity, multidisciplinary collaboration and reflective practice. [Values/Disposition, Knowledge, Practice]
Relates to: Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated)
PU52 Bachelor of Public Health
- Apply public health principles and evidence to improve population health outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO5, Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Critically analyse scholarly literature and effectively conduct research to inform evidence based public health practice.
Relates to: ULO3, Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse individuals, groups and communities, including Indigenous Australians.
Relates to: ULO4, Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated)
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Online
| Unit code: | PUB104 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
The unit is designed to give a broad overview of the systems of health care in Australia and their operation. This knowledge is essential for anyone who is seeking to achieve the best outcomes for patients and the broader community. This unit draws on diverse disciplinary thinking to analyse health care systems and prepare learners for various professional roles including public health, clinical care and health service management.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the context of health and health care in Australia.
- Examine health care services, their organisation, governance and methods of operation.
- Critically discuss issues associated with the management of health resources informed by diverse sources of evidence.
- Analyse strengths and limitations of the contemporary health system as they relate to the system’s sustainability and the promotion of equity.
- Synthesise health care system principles and practice to inform contemporary health systems management.
Content
The unit is divided into four modules. Topics addressed include:
- The context in which health care is provided in Australia including the conceptual basis of health, health status and trends, the role and classification of health systems and factors influencing health system design;
- The organisation and governance of health services including the roles of governments, the legislative framework, systems of governance and the perspectives of stakeholders;
- Health resources including finance, human resources, technology, pharmaceuticals and capital infrastructure;
- Current issues and reform in the health sector including resource allocation and decision-making; health and healthcare inequity experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse, Indigenous and rural and remote populations; and the principles, drivers and barriers of health system reform.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures - delivered on-campus and offered synchronously online. Recordings are available.
- tutorials (separate online and on-campus offerings)
- guest presentations from key industry experts
- self-directed online learning modules, including online readings
- team learning and peer feedback
- embedded Library and Student Success Group support for writing and other academic skills
This unit adopts a blended learning approach that will require you to engage in a range of weekly classes and self-directed learning activities. You are encouraged to share diverse disciplinary thinking with your peers during group work and other learning activities.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive formative feedback from your peers and the unit's teaching team through tutorial discussions centered around the unit's learning outcomes and respective assessment items.
You will receive progressive feedback on each workbook at the end of each module.
Individualised summative feedback will be provided to you after each of the unit's submission deadlines.
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments in this unit.
1. Short Answer Workbook - This will cover learnings about the way the Australian healthcare system is structured and functions.
2. Exam (invigilated) - This will require you to synthesise your learning about the health care system to inform future health system management.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Short Answer Workbook
You will respond to a series of short prompts and case studies taken from real world scenarios, which require you to adopt different roles, such as a health system planner. In these scenarios you will need to analyse the provided information and provide professional recommendations in the form of a brief for diverse audiences such as policy makers, clinicians and community members. The purpose of these activities is to inform future system design to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of the health system.
Workbooks will be assessed in 4 parts, each part containing 2-4 activities, and correspond to the completion of the respective module of the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam (invigilated)
The examination will be comprised of multiple choice and extended response questions, testing your knowledge and understanding of the unit content and your overall achievement of the unit learning outcomes. The timed assessment will take place during the central examination period.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There are no core texts for this unit however it is recommended that you have access to at least ONE of the below recommended texts.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Duckett S., Willcox, S. (2022). The Australian Health Care System (6th ed.). Australia: Oxford University Press.
Palmer, G. R., Short, S.D. (2014). Health Care and Public Policy: An Australian Analysis (5th ed.) Australia: Palgrave MacMillan.
Reynolds, L., Debono, D., & Travaglia, J. (2024). Understanding the Australian Health Care System (5th ed.). Chatswood, N.S.W: Elsevier Australia.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit except for those associated with substantial computer-based work. You should ensure that you take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PU51 Bachelor of Health Information Management
- Critically evaluate and apply theoretical and technical perspectives on health information management (HIM), applicable to professional practice to solve routine and emergent problems. [Knowledge, Practice]
Relates to: Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Initiate effective approaches for engaging in critical thinking, decision making and problem solving that reflect diverse perspectives and culturally safe and responsive practice, encompassing evidence-based HIM solutions. [Practice, Values/Disposition
Relates to: Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Exercise judgement in the context of HIM, informed by sustainable, legal, ethical, and professional perspectives that promote social inclusivity, multidisciplinary collaboration and reflective practice. [Values/Disposition, Knowledge, Practice]
Relates to: Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated)
PU52 Bachelor of Public Health
- Apply public health principles and evidence to improve population health outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO5, Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Critically analyse scholarly literature and effectively conduct research to inform evidence based public health practice.
Relates to: ULO3, Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated) - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse individuals, groups and communities, including Indigenous Australians.
Relates to: ULO4, Short Answer Workbook, Exam (invigilated)