Primary Health Care and Global Health (POPH90131)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
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About this subject
Contact information
August
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
OR
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: Contact Stop 1
Future Students:
- Further Information: MSPGH Website
- Email: Enquiry Form
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | August |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The 1978 Alma Ata Declaration was a watershed moment in the development of health systems globally, influencing the evolution of primary health care (PHC) and global development practice to the present day. This subject will cover the principles and practice of community-based PHC with particular focus on resource-poor settings, whilst also considering the broader influence of PHC across health systems. Engaging with the history, principles and key elements of PHC, students will examine the various roles of community health groups and workers; PHC approaches to disease control; trends in global development for health; the role of global agencies and local health systems; and the current demographic and epidemiological trends affecting PHC. Drawing on global case studies and experience presented by experts with extensive field experience across Africa, Asia and Oceania, students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of individual and community participation in PHC, as well as integrated, multi-sectoral and equity approaches to health. Students will develop the skills and strategies to critically examine PHC approaches and program design, and the current health and health system trends influencing community-based PHC globally.
This subject is an Australia-based alternative to POPH90137 “Primary Health Care in Jamkhed, India”. Students may not take both subjects.
Intended learning outcomes
- Apply the core principles and elements of successful primary health care in resource-constrained settings to health program design;
- Develop systems-oriented strategies for improving primary health care using at least two frameworks for understanding health systems in resource-constrained settings;
- Describe the important contributions and roles of community health workers in the delivery of primary health care within resource-constrained communities;
- Analyse the role of global aid and development agencies and donors in the planning, delivery and evaluation of primary health care services in resource-constrained settings;
- Critique options for resourcing primary health care, including at least two financing models appropriate to resource-constrained settings;
- Describe the role of community knowledge, attitudes and practices in primary health care, and how these can be assessed and incorporated into programs.
Generic skills
Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Working with others and in teams
- Problem-solving
- Oral communication skills
- Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
- Written communication skills
Last updated: 3 November 2022