95731 Principles of Primary Health Care
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to the principles and philosophy of primary health care. Students examine models of care that are used to prevent and manage illness in Australia and around the world and develop an understanding of the funding of primary health care and the workforce that provides the services. Students explore ways in which primary health care can reduce health inequities in the context of the social determinants of health. Students identify the strengths of primary health care and potential implications for service planning and delivery.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Describe the principles of primary health care. |
|---|---|
| B. | Identify models of primary health care that can reduce health inequity in Australia. |
| C. | Evaluate primary health care models for vulnerable population groups in Australia and around the world. |
| D. | Evaluate the suitability of primary health care services in intervening in the social determinants of health. |
| E. | Determine the components of multidisciplinary primary health care. |
| F. | Identify the funding sources for primary health care in Australia. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Advocate for and engage with individuals and communities to reduce health inequities and promote social justice in a global context. (1.0)
- Demonstrate creative and adaptive thinking within a changeable social, political and technological environment. (2.0)
- Use an assets-based approach to engender effective communication, collaboration and leadership. (3.0)
- Are ethical and responsible professionals who value the diversity of people and communities. (4.0)
- Translate research and evaluation into social and professional practice though critical thinking and knowledge integration. (5.0)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Graduates from this course will have developed foundation level knowledge of primary health care and be able to understand the contribution of a strong primary health care system in reducing health inequalities. Graduates will develop understandings of the role of health care professionals, policy makers and government in the delivery of best practice primary health care.
Teaching and learning strategies
This course seeks to integrate many of the principles of primary health care into the learning process itself – in other words, it is designed to be accessible, participatory, empowering, equitable and integrated. We will employ these PHC principles in conjunction with evidence-based approaches to consider a range of scenarios and dilemmas in small collaborative groups. Students are expected to engage with all online content and attend tutorials, as well as complete all preparatory work each week.
Weekly sessions include:
- Preparatory materials, including reading, listening to podcasts or watching online material, will be given to students before each class. This will be shared with students on Canvas.
- Weekly lectures will be given to introduce the key concepts, history, dilemmas and applications of primary health care in a variety of different global contexts.
- Tutorials to explore, apply and review concepts from the pre-class materials and the lectures, support learning and apply/review content.
Individual written feedback will be provided on Canvas approximately three weeks after the submission date. In the case of group assignments, some direct feedback may be given at the end of the presentation session. Canvas will also provide a venue to discuss course content and assignments at any time.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.
Content (topics)
- Principles of primary health care for example: access, equity, community engagement, multisectorial collaboration, appropriate use of technology
- Intervening in the social determinants of health
- Primary health care services in Australia: models and funding
- Primary health care services across the world: models and funding
- Primary health care workforce
- Health literacy in primary health care
- Designing and implementing primary health care services in vulnerable populations
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes x 4
| Intent: | Quizzes are designed to assess students' understanding of the content delivered in the lectures and tutorials. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, D and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 and 5.0 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Each quiz will have 10 Multiple Choice/Short Answer questions. Each quiz is worth 5% |
Assessment task 2: Critique a primary health care service for a vulnerable population
| Intent: | It is now more than 40 years since the Declaration of Alma Ata. This assignment asks you to consider the relevance of primary health care in a specific vulnerable community in contemporary contexts, either in Australia or in another country. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 4.0 and 5.0 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1500 words (+/- 10 %), excluding references |
Assessment task 3: 'Hella Healthy' PHC Hackathon
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 and 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Short (6min40sec) Pecha Kucha stye presentation (20 slides, 20 sec each slide) per group to be presented in weeks 11 and 12 (if necessary). More information will be provided in tutorials. |
Assessment task 4: Professionalism
| Intent: | This assessment is designed to reaffirm the importance of professionalism among students, and to develop attitudes and practices that will guide them through their professional lives as health workers. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Maximum of 600 words |
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) or Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.
The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.