Outline

Overview

Population Health provides a broad perspective of the health of Australian contemporary society. This unit of study introduces students to the cultural, socioeconomic, environmental and biological determinants of health and their intersection with the individual. Students will develop their understanding of population health through an exploration of the frameworks of health that address health inequalities between and within population groups. Understanding the patterns and distribution of disease is critical to understanding the relationship between the social determinants of health and population health outcomes and students will critically reflect on population health data to guide evidence-based practice and to identify issues of access, social inclusion and equity within contemporary Australian society. Students will develop their ability to critically assess epidemiological evidence and how this informs nursing practice at a local, national and global level. This unit will introduce the philosophy of Primary Health Care as a framework to guide the promotion of health and prevention of illness, according to the principles of equity, social justice, access and empowerment of individuals and communities. The unit also introduces students to the concept of cultural safety and the evolution of this approach to nursing practice. Throughout this unit there is an emphasis on the interrelationship between the individual and their environment.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	NURS1003
Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Moira Dunsmore, moira.dunsmore@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Heather Shepherd, heather.shepherd@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Josephine Agu, josephine.agu@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Written exam Short answer, long answer and scenario-based	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Readiness assurance tests and application (1ABC) Assessment 1A/B: MCQ Assessment 1C: TeamApplication (submission of podcast)	20%	Please select a valid week from the list below	Varies
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Comparative Health report Written report	35%	Week 07 Due date: 25 Apr 2021 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Readiness assurance tests: 2 quizzes (individual/team) and submission of team application (ppodcast in week 11)
Health report: You are required to write a report
Examination: All lecture and tutorial material and all essential readings for this unit will be examinable.

Each student is required to submit/attend all assessment items in order to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week -01	Introduction: defining health: a population perspective.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week -01	1. Introduction to the unit and defining health	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to demography: defining populations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Determinants of health: Social Determinants of Health	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	2. Poverty and Health: vulnerable populations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Global discourses: A Primary Health Care approach	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	A. Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health History B. Epidemiological data sources	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	3. Spanish Influenza & Covid-19: what have we learnt?	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Measuring health: introduction to Biostatistics in Epidemiology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Epidemiological Study Design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	4. Using epidemiological skills	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Epidemiology: translation to nursing practice	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Understanding health: Health Literacy, Health Promotion & the Ottawa Charter	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	5. Health literacy and health communication: getting the message right.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Health Promotion: Theory and Practice	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Health Promotion in action	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	6. Practical revision for exam & evaluation of unit	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Head of School may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study. Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off-campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Reading list (Canvas) for 2021 reading list

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. critically analyse the intersection of the individual, environmental and social determinants of health through an understanding of key frameworks and models in health.
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of social justice, human rights and cultural safety that address health inequalities between and within populations in relation to nursing practice.
LO3. demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the historical influences of health, and the relationship to contemporary health discourses such as primary health care, primary care, health promotion, the ‘new’ public health and ecological public health.
LO4. analyse the relationship between the environment, sustainability and health and how this relates to strategic frameworks, international goals and legislation.
LO5. demonstrate a beginning understanding of research, particularly epidemiology, and its relevance to nursing practice.
LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the philosophy of Primary Health Care as a framework to guide nursing practice.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research 3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 3.6. Actively engages with the profession 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life 2.5. Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 5.4. Plans and negotiates how practice will be evaluated and the time frame of engagement 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people 7.3. Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Readings and content: We had positive feedback on both content and choice of readings. Concepts such as those taught in this unit require you to read broadly; we have interspersed with podcasts and appropriate videos. Revision and summary slides: this will continue in 2021 with the focus on transitioning to greater independence as a learner. Assessments: The assessment format for 2021 will include more interactive quizzes for marks and the popular health report will use a contemporary and evolving health issue this year. Tutorials: Team-based learning remains popular and facilitated discussion. This year we will focus on preparation before tutorials and how this aids active learning.

Additional information

Faculty of Medicine and Health Handbook

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS1003: Population Health

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect