Indigenous Health Project

Unit Code

00285

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Joint Unit offered by Department of Rural Health (DRH) & the VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit (VHKHR &CDU)
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
University of Melbourne
Australia

web: www.ruralhealth.unimelb.edu.au/ and www.chs.unimelb.edu.au/koori/index.html

Unit Points

Research Points: 50

Coursework Points: 50

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

A/Prof Barry McGrath and Prof Ian Anderson
Department of Rural Health
Graham St (PO Box 6500)
Shepparton
Victoria 3632 Australia

tel: +61 3 5823 4516
fax: +61 3 3 5823 4555
Email: b.mcgrath@unimelb.edu.au or i.anderson@unimelb.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

• To achieve a grounding in theory, evidence and culturally appropriate Koori research protocols & methods
• To pursue independent research in one clinical or health area of particular importance in Indigenous communities
• To enhance understanding of the multiple determinants of Indigenous health, including social, economic and environmental determinants
• To produce a research-based report of relevance and value to the Indigenous and academic communities

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Content

Coursework: 4 subjects, each 12.5 points:

502-XXX Koori Health Policy & Primary Health Care

502-607 Research Methods in Social Health - Modules 5 & 6: Researching with Koori Communities 1 & 2

One elective subject from the following:
131-051 Aboriginal Histories
106-063 Aboriginal Cultural Studies
166-010 Introduction to Indigenous Studies

One of the following research subjects: Qualitative Health Research (qualitative) or Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics (quantitative).

Research: Indigenous Health & well Being: services, access, funding.
Joint supervision by A/Professor Ian Anderson & Dr Lisa Rasmussen from the VHKHR&CDU.

The research project involves residence in Shepparton, where about 6,000 Indigenous people in the Goulburn Murray region are served by an Indigenous health service. The two possible broad areas of research are
a) Indigenous health status and service provision, & b) Indigenous health services: what resources do they need & who should control them?
The project design will be subject to negotiation with students, resources available, and Indigenous community support.

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 50 points
Research Report (up to 7,000 words): 80%
Oral presentation: 10%
Written report for Indigenous community, 1000 words: 10%

Coursework Component: 50 points
502-XXX: written work max. 4,000 words
502-607: written work max. 4,000 words
(Research practice exercises-30%, research proposal-70%)

131-051/106-063/166-010 will be assessed as per subject description
Qualitative Health Research/Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics will be assessed as per subject descriptions.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
3