Sustainability and Healthcare (POPH90304)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
May
sonia.chanchlani@unimelb.edu.au
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: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
Overview
| Availability | May - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Human social, mental and economic health is intimately connected with, both positively and negatively, our footprints on the earth. The healthcare system and associated professions are (i) contributors to the problem of anthropogenic climate change, (ii) are impacted by it and are (iii) part of the solution towards a more sustainable society. This subject recognises the need to urgently formulate adaptation and mitigation strategies, thereby addressing the global climate change emergency, through the lens of sustainable healthcare.
Key themes, with reference to case studies and student tasks, include:
• The existing and anticipated impacts of anthropogenic climate change on patients, practitioners and the healthcare system
• Approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation that incorporate nuanced application of systems thinking and design principles, as well as good governance practices
• Evaluation of the various elements of sustainability practice in different healthcare settings and services, including community, hospital and laboratory contexts, using local, national and international examples and experts
• Consideration of the barriers and facilitators, as well as co-benefits, of system change towards more sustainable healthcare, including the commercial determinants of health
• Analysis and application of the principles of transformation of linear to circular economies, and the role of lifecycle analysis in promoting low carbon, but high value, healthcare
• Linkage of climate change and sustainability with other health equity issues, within
determinants of health framework, of intersectionality, allyship and co-benefits for disadvantaged groups
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate and analyse how climate change impacts patients, populations and healthcare systems, particularly in relation to vulnerable populations, and the compounding consequences for institutions and resourcing
- Demonstrate an understanding of systems thinking and design principles, as well as good governance practices, for climate change adaptation and mitigation in healthcare settings
- Describe examples of sustainability practice in different healthcare settings and services
- Identify the barriers and facilitators, as well as co-benefits, of system change towards more sustainable healthcare, including the influence of the commercial determinants of health
- Apply the principles of systems thinking, circular economies, and lifecycle analysis in a plan for promoting low carbon, high value medicine in a healthcare setting
- Effectively communicate scientific and technical issues pertinent to climate change and healthcare to diverse audiences.
Generic skills
- Application of theory to practical problems
- Evidence-based decision making
- Critical reasoning and thinking
- Communication of a scientific argument to a variety of audiences
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Individually developed Podcast (Approximately 20 minutes). This will be due on the 3rd day of teaching (week 3)
| Second half of the teaching period | 30% |
Group presentation on sustainable healthcare consultancy to a healthcare organisation. Five students per group and assessed as a group.
| End of the teaching period | 20% |
Essay assignment – Develop a plan of transformation of a chosen setting/service to become a sustainable practice
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- May
Coordinator Sonia Chanchlani Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 30 hours comprising online learning modules face-to face seminars and group work 140 hours of independent reading, research and assignment preparation including additional group preparation for group work assignment Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 6 May 2024 to 31 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 10 May 2024 Census date 17 May 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 14 June 2024 Assessment period ends 27 June 2024 May contact information
sonia.chanchlani@unimelb.edu.au
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: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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: 4 March 2025