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Unit description

Provides students with an overview of the Australian health care system and the factors which influence the way it functions. Historical, socio-political and cultural contexts of health care in Australia will be presented to encourage an awareness of how these factors influence health care delivery, systems, services, and the health care workforce.

Unit content

Health in Australia and internationally

  • Defining health
  • Analysing health care systems
  • Historical context of health and approaches to health care
  • Social determinants of health
  • Health inequalities (in Australia and internationally)
  • Health of Australians and international comparisons

Structure and functions of the Australian health care system

  • Key features of the AHCS
  • Comparisons of health systems around the world
  • Governments, governance, policy and health care in Australia
  • Funding health care in Australia
  • Provision of health care in Australia

Working in the Australian health care system

  • Health care delivery for specific populations and vulnerable groups
  • Health care workforce in Australia
  • Professional organisations and regulation of the Australian health care workforce
  • Contemporary issues and trends in the Australian health care system and health workforce
  • Inter-professional relationships

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1compare and contrast the health of Australians and major elements of the health care system with those of other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations
2explain the various factors which influence the health of Australians and the functions of the Australian health care system
3explain the impact of health care policy, funding and governance on the Australian health care system
4describe the role information technology plays in the Australian health care system
5discuss the impact of current trends in the health care system on the health care workforce.
6identify various factors which influence the health of priority population groups in Australia

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. compare and contrast the health of Australians and major elements of the health care system with those of other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations
  2. explain the various factors which influence the health of Australians and the functions of the Australian health care system
  3. explain the impact of health care policy, funding and governance on the Australian health care system
  4. describe the role information technology plays in the Australian health care system
  5. discuss the impact of current trends in the health care system on the health care workforce.
  6. identify various factors which influence the health of priority population groups in Australia

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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