Hardware, Software & Warmware: Computers in Clinical Practice

Unit Code

00294

Department/Institution Offering Unit

School of Rural Health
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
PO Box 6500
Shepparton
Victoria 3632 Australia

web: www.ruralhealth.unimelb.edu.au

Unit Points

Research Points: 87.5

Coursework Points: 12.5

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Professor Teng Liaw
School of Rural Health
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Shepparton
Victoria 3630 Australia

tel: +61 3 5823 4500
fax: +61 3 5823 4555
email: t.liaw@unimelb.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

This subject is designed to provide students with:

• an introduction to the use of information and communication technologies (I&CT) in contemporary health care (eHealth)
• opportunities to explore the use of I&CT from clinician, patient and consumer perpectives with a focus on the patient-clinician-computer relationship within the clinical consultation
• skills to critically reflect on current approaches to development, application, evaluation and research in the field
• independent skills in defining needs and issues in the use of I&CT in health care, including locating and critically appraising relevant information
• enhanced problem-solving approaches to contemporary I&CT concerns in clinical practice and decision-making

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Content

Coursework: Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR Qualitative Health Research.
These courses must be approved by your supervisor. If another course is particularly relevant to a student's thesis, permission may be granted for enrolment in that subject.

Research: An original supervised research project. Training in quantitative and qualitative methods will be available through coursework and with the guidance of the supervisor. The general area of research covers the application of I&CT in decision support for the clinician in a range of health care areas such as the management of chronic diseases, health promotion, quality use of medicines, health needs assessment, patient education and satisfaction, and enhancing shared care. The impacts of networks and online information systems on the patient-clinician relationship, communications and decision-making will be a particular focus.

Sample Research Topics:

1. Therapeutic decision support systems e.g. in managing patients on anticoagulants, antibiotics, etc
2. I&CT in the diagnosis and management of chronic diseases
3. I&CT in health promotion and health promotion strategies
4. I&CT in patient education and satisfaction
5. Online knowledge bases and clinical guidelines
6. The patient-clinician-computer triadic relationship

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 87.5 points
Research Report (up to 9,000 words): 90%
Oral presentation (30 minutes): 10%
Students will be expected to attend group sessions with other students enrolled in the Unit throughout Semesters 6 and 7.

Coursework Component: 12.5 points
Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics or Qualitative Health Research will be assessed as per subject descriptions.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
10