Health Behaviour Change (HLTH90001)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
Contact information
Term 1
Overview
| Availability | Term 1 - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This wholly online subject will introduce students to the key theories underlying contemporary approaches to health promotion and health behaviour change in individuals across the health-illness spectrum and at the population level. The subject will enable students to develop skills in the design and evaluation of health behaviour change interventions that are evidence informed and tailored to clinical practice contexts across the lifespan.
The subject is divided into modules to allow flexibility for students to choose areas of health promotion or health behaviour change that best match their disciplinary interests or work context. Similarly, students will be given options for assessment that include the development of multidisciplinary or single discipline rehabilitation that can be used in a clinical context.
All students will complete four modules within this subject.
A Foundational Module will be completed by all students and introduces the key theoretical models underpinning health behaviour change interventions focussed on the promotion of individual or population health. Students will develop an understanding of the integration of these theories into commonly used health behaviour change interventions at a population level and within defined rehabilitation contexts.
Students will then choose two from four modules that best meets their learning interests and/or practice or discipline interests. These modules are:
1. Evidence Based Practice
Students selecting this module will develop the skills to critically review and synthesise the literature supporting health behaviour change interventions in a health condition of their choice. Students will develop a concise summary of the existing evidence, critically evaluate the quality of evidence to support the chosen intervention, and interpret the clinical application of this technique.
2. Integration of Health Behaviour Change in Rehabilitation settings: This module will extend students’ exploration of the application of health behaviour change programs or principles within subacute and community based rehabilitation contexts. Students will explore and consider how interdisciplinary teams can integrate and apply these principles to support client health and adherence to evidence-based treatment recommendations.
3. Motivational Interviewing Skills: This module will develop an understanding of best practice in motivational interviewing. It will allow students to develop and practice skills in the application of motivational interviewing as a method of supporting health behaviour change in clients with health conditions relevant to the students’ interests.
4. Public Health Promotion Interventions
This module will more deeply examine foundational theory focussing on the frameworks, policy and process that influence public health behaviour. Students will identify and analyse a public health promotion program or activity of their choice, relevant to their discipline and employment context.
The final Integration module will be completed by all students and addresses the integration and application of evidence informed rehabilitation practice to specific practice contexts. This module provides students with an opportunity to extend and demonstrate application of skills in developing and justifying an evidence-informed health behaviour change intervention for an individual or group.
Intended learning outcomes
The curriculum is designed around three elements which provide both horizontal and vertical integration throughout the program. These elements are: rehabilitation theory and practice, evidence and innovation and clinical practice in context.
Rehabilitation Theory and Practice;
1. Demonstrate understanding of key theoretical models of behaviour change in the context of health and chronic disease and disability
2. To explore and analyse the application of health behaviour change interventions within current rehabilitation models of care for individuals with acquired disability
3. To identify and interpret current local and global policy and guidelines related to health promotion programs that incorporate health behaviour change
Evidence and Innovation
4. Identify, synthesise and critically appraise current evidence evaluating health behaviour change interventions
5. Select and justify appropriate outcome measures to evaluate the efficacy of health behaviour change interventions for selected cases across a range of health conditions
Clinical Practice in Context
6. Design and justify a health behaviour change intervention that is evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and can meet the needs of a defined individual or group;
7. Apply theoretical frameworks to analyse and critically review a population level health behaviour or health promotion program
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students will have had the opportunity to develop the skills associated with:
- Reflecting on their personal skills, values, biases and limitations and identifying their learning opportunities to build on their knowledge and skills to promote best practice
- Examining issues with multiple disciplinary perspectives
- Working effectively both independently and in groups
- Demonstrating a commitment to civic service in graduates' lives and careers, equipping them to be active, well-informed citizens who make substantial contributions to society
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| REHB90001 | Foundations of Rehabilitation |
Term 3 (Online)
Term 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| REHB90002 | Rehabilitation Activity and Exercise |
Term 1 (Online)
Term 4 (Online)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Graduate level knowledge of the health care system and professional role consistent with a bachelor program in a health care science.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Contribution to online discussions, throughout term (10%)
- Quiz (online quiz on foundations theory) Week 3 (20%)
- Reflective portfolio – 1,000 words, due Week 8 (20%)
- Essay - Development or evaluation of a health change program – 2,000 words, due Week 9 (50%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Term 1 - Online
Coordinator Thorlene Egerton Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Wholly online subject Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 28 January 2019 Pre teaching requirements There is a one week pre-teaching period during which students can choose to: 1. View a video presentation of an overview of the subject, assessment requirements and student participation expectations 2. Engage with discussion board to meet their tutors and colleagues enrolled in the program 3. Become familiar with the library by completing a small task that requires navigation of library resources and 4. Complete one online task, which will familiarise them with online learning requirements. This task can involve a quick quiz, reading a newspaper piece on a contemporary debate or reading a seminar paper on the subject. These activities serve to familiarise the students with the online learning environment and prepare the students for commencing their learning fully informed about the requirements of the subject. Teaching period 4 February 2019 to 31 March 2019 Last self-enrol date 29 January 2019 Census date 22 February 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 15 March 2019 Assessment period ends 7 April 2019 Term 1 contact information
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing EducationPhone: + 61 3 8344 0149 Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT.Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Rehabilitation Science Course Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Science - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022