585-011 Health and Illness in Society

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Subject Description

On completion of this subject, students should understand the nature of health and illness, normal growth, development and ageing, the major challenges to health during the life cycle in a developmental, social and cultural context; the systems that Australia has developed to deal with health issues and the role and responsibility of the medical practitioner in this system; the basis of emergency medicine to which knowledge will be added as experience is gained through the course; the application of basic medical sciences in practical first aid management. Major topics covered include health and illness, the health care system; doctor-patient relationships, communication and ethical issues, gender and cultural issues in health, illness and the health care system; normal growth, development and ageing: challenges to health from the body's own development and ageing processes and from the external environment; how society has changed in its response to illness; emergency medical practice and first aid; observation of growth and development of a baby during its first year of life (to be continued until Paediatrics in the fifth year of the course).

Assessment

A 3-hour written examination and a practical examination in resuscitation. Students who do not pass the First Aid practical examination will be permitted to proceed with the medical course but will be required to undertake the assessment in second year and, if necessary, third year. The practical examination must be passed before the end of third year. Two reports of up to 500 words each on the clinical visits to the Royal Children's Hospital. Reports are assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students who fail will need to resubmit their report before receiving the final assessment in this subject.

Prescribed Texts

• Australian Resuscitation Council, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. 1992.
• Department of Paediatrics, Child Growth and Development Study. available from University Bookroom.