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Unit of study_

NURS1003: Population Health

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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
Tutor(s) Susan Allnutt, jane.allnutt@sydney.edu.au
Kyra Garland, kyra.garland@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Online #earlyfeedbacktask
Short quiz 5 questions for 20 minutes
0% Week 03
Due date: 04 Mar 2024 at 23:59
Short quiz 5 questions for 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Assessment 1A: Part 1: Individual Critical Response
In class: Individual response to critical question
10% Week 03
Due date: 08 Mar 2024 at 23:59
Word count 150-250 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Assignment Assessment 1A: Part 2: Peer critique
Peer critique of student submission
5% Week 04
Due date: 12 Mar 2024 at 23:59
Online via Canvas 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO3
Assignment Assessment 2: Population Health report
Population Health report
40% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assessment 1B: Part 1: Individual Critical Response
In class response to critical question based on readings
10% Week 10
Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59
Word count 1500-250 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3
Assignment group assignment Assessment 3: Team Podcast
Submission of audio and transcript
30% Week 12
Due date: 19 May 2024 at 23:59
12-13 minute podcast
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assessment 1B: Part 2: Peer critique
Peer critique of student submission
5% Week 12
Due date: 13 May 2024 at 23:59
Online via Canvas 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Online early feedback task: short quiz
  • Assessment 1A & 1B: Critical responses and peer critique
  • Assessment 2: (Population Health report) You are required to write a report 
  • Assessment 3: Team Podcast 

Please note: Each student is required to submit 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

*Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks 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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to unit; Defining Health: A population perspective Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
T1: Understanding health: a population perspective Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 2. Introduction to demography: defining populations Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 03 3. Determinants of health: Social Determinants of Health Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
T2. Place as a determinant of health. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 5. Global health challenges Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 05 4. Primary Health Care Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
T3. Critical thinking and writing: how do we do it? Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 6. A. Introduction to Epidemiology B. Epidemiological data sources Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 7. Measuring health: introduction to Biostatistics in Epidemiology Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6
T4: Global lessons from history. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 8. Epidemiological Study Design Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6
T5. Using epidemiological skills: outbreak management Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 09 9. Understanding health: Health Literacy, Health Promotion & the Ottawa Charter Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
T6. Health literacy and health communication: getting the message right. Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 10 10. Health Promotion: Theory and Practice Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 12 11. Health Promotion in action Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
T7. Wrap-up and podcast review. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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.
  • Referencing: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing. 

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 2023 reading list

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality 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
1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions
2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
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
LO2
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
LO3
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
LO4
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
LO5
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
LO6
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 T Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.3 T 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 T Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions
2.2 T Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3 T Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
3.3 T Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others

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

We had positive feedback in previous years, including 2023, 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 2024 with the focus on transitioning to greater independence as a learner. Assessments: The assessment format for 2024 will include contemporary forms of communication and will aim to scaffold your critical thinking and writing. The population health report will use a contemporary and evolving health issue this year to develop your academic writing skills. Tutorials: Team-based learning remains popular and facilitated discussion. This year we will focus on preparation before tutorials and how this aids active learning.

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, of people’s experiences of health and illness and/or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning in this unit of study and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice. You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

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.