PUB208 Understanding Health Information


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:PUB208
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Maryann Wood | mt.wood@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit gives an introductory overview to public health professionals of the uses and applications of health information in the health industry. Understanding the diversity of health information resources available will build health information literacy to assist public health professionals in recognising the potential of health information as a valuable resource. The unit provides context to the quality of health information by providing an understanding of the data quality frameworks, data organisation, data standards and management principles relevant to systems within the health industry.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Distinguish health data from health information and health-related knowledge.
  2. Describe the sources of health information and the application at management, program and strategic level.
  3. Reflect on the ways administrative data can be used to inform public health decision making.
  4. Evaluate data quality and identify issues of security, confidentiality, privacy and ethics.
  5. Critically reflect on the process of teamwork and collaboration for the development of professional plans for administrative data collection.

Content

The unit will cover the following:

  • The global context of health information
  • Health information systems resources
  • Indicators
  • Sources of information
  • Data management
  • Data quality
  • Dissemination and use
  • Digital health
  • Considerations for collecting data from diverse groups
  • Ways to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are represented in data collection
  • Working in teams to develop professional plans
  • Reflective practice in public health

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)
  • self-directed online learning modules, including online readings
  • real world examples of data collections
  • guest speaker presentations
  • team learning
  • reflective practice
  • language and learning support sessions

In order to maximise your learning experience in this unit, preparation in advance of tutorial sessions and active participation is expected of you.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will gain peer and academic feedback on the activities conducted in tutorials. You will also receive written feedback from the teaching staff on your first assessment, which will prepare you for your final assessment.

Assessment

Overview

There are two assessments to be completed throughout the semester.

1. Reflective Journal - This will connect to the guest speakers and learning activities in the unit about existing connections in established agencies, and provide an opportunity to reflect on how that data can be used by public health professionals.

2. Administrative Data Collection Plan - This will develop your skills in designing administrative data collections that incorporate all aspects of the data cycle. You will also develop your teamwork skills and have an opportunity to reflect on this experience.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Reflective Journal

During the semester guest speakers from two health and statistical agencies will provide presentations where you will have the opportunity to review the way health information is managed and used. You will hear about issues such as data quality, standards, security, ethics, privacy and confidentiality. The considerations of collecting data from diverse population groups and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are represented are also discussed. This assessment requires you to complete a critical analytical reflection of the learnings from the presentations and the application to you as public health professionals.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 50
Length: 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Administrative Data Collection Plan

Your team will take on the role of public health professionals to develop an administrative data collection plan. The plan will be used to seek approval within your health organisation for the data collection. Your plan will need to identify the sources of data and the purpose of the collection. The plan will also need to include considerations for ensuring data quality, privacy, security, confidentiality considerations, and data storage and management.

You will need to reflect individually on the process of working in a team to develop the plan.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 50
Length: 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 4, 5

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



Resource Materials

Other

There is no prescribed text for this unit as a comprehensive study guide and reference list is provided.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit apart from those associated with substantial computer work.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

PU52 Bachelor of Public Health

  1. Apply public health principles and evidence to improve population health outcomes.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Reflective Journal
  2. Critically analyse scholarly literature and effectively conduct research to inform evidence based public health practice.
    Relates to: ULO4, Administrative Data Collection Plan
  3. Collaborate and negotiate with key stakeholders to advocate for the health and wellbeing of communities and populations.
    Relates to: ULO5, Administrative Data Collection Plan