PAR1032 Paramedicine in the Australian health care system

This unit will deliver a structured introduction to public health and the Australian healthcare system. This introduction will address contemporary public health principles and practices including key concepts such as population health, social determinants of health, and the core roles and functions of public health systems, policies and programs. Students will gain a preliminary knowledge of the organisation, current policies and policy debates, funding arrangements and emerging trends in healthcare practice.

A feature of the unit is an inclusive approach to the understanding of health from a paramedic perspective. This approach will consider aged care, disability, mental health and acute care in addition to established health services. Case studies, relevant to paramedic practice, will be used to consolidate the theoretical material.

Students will develop a reflective understanding of their own experience of health care, and be able to identify their assumptions regarding health and the practice of health care. Overarching themes will include an overview of the health system, specialist sectors and working in the health space.