Welcome to the Community-Based Practice Program
Why a Community-Based Practice Program?
Monash University Graduates
Community-Based Practice Program Goal and Objectives
Program objectives
Program Model
Our Community Partners
Why a Community-Based Practice Program?
Australia is increasingly a nation divided. There is growing poverty, inequality and entrenched disadvantage – each of which combines to undermine social cohesion and community life by decreasing shared values and experiences. The recent Senate Inquiry into Poverty found rates of poverty had increased over the last decade, with estimates showing between 2 million and 3.5 million Australians, or up to 19 per cent of the population, living in poverty. Those groups particularly afflicted included Indigenous people, unemployed households, sole parent families, young people from low-income backgrounds, workers in low-wage employment, and people having to rely on social security payments for long periods such as carers and people with disabilities.
Health and social context are inextricably intertwined. Class, stress, early life experiences, social exclusion, work, unemployment, social support, addiction, food and transport have all been identified as shaping health status (Marmot and Wilkinson 1999).
Social justice strategies aim to build a just and inclusive society that values difference and the right of all people and communities to the social and economic resources they need to control their own lives.
Monash University Graduates
In accordance with the Charter of Medical Professionalism (2002) the Faculty seeks to graduate students who demonstrate:
- concern with issues of equity, quality and humanity in health care;
- an ability to act as an advocate for people who are disadvantaged and dispossessed;
- a commitment to the health of populations as well as individuals;
- awareness of the social, ethical, economic and environmental context of health and illness, psychological well being and delivery of care; and
- the skill to address key questions relevant to the community and to medicine.
While these attributes will be addressed in various teaching and learning activities across the entire curriculum, the Community-Based Practice Program in Year A provides students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, awareness and skills in these areas.
Community-Based Practice Program Goal and Objectives
The overarching goal of the program is to provide students the opportunity to develop an inter-professional perspective on the application of social equity and justice, and model(s) of health interventions in the community.
Program objectives
- Each community placement is designed to allow students to:
- understand the whole person, and in particular the social and economic context of health and illness;
- appreciate the interplay of medical, scientific, social, cultural, political, economic and ethical factors in health promotion;
- develop knowledge of barriers faced by people in accessing services, their relevance to medicine and individuals health;
- develop an understanding of social and public policy and how it impacts on individuals health;
- develop an appreciation of how and why community organisations deliver their services;
- articulate the relationships between data, information, evidence, knowledge and informed care;
- apply critical appraisal skills to clinical and research questions;
- application of a range of knowledge based systems in clinical practice (bibliographic software, decision support systems);
- define, compare and contrast medical, behavioural, and socio-environmental approaches to health promotion;
- understand the application of a range of HP theories of change that are used in the development of HP interventions and what roles doctors can play in this;
- understand and participate in the basic HP process of program development, planning, implementation, and evaluation; and
- systematically apply critical appraisal and knowledge management skills to the evaluation of HP interventions.
Program Model
Community- Based Practice Program Model
The GMBBS is a graduate entry four year program. Each year level has two semesters each lasting 18 weeks. Placements commence in semester 1 of Year A.
As CBPP is an integral component of the GMBBS program every year A student will undertake a community-based placement in 2008.
The dates for CBP placements in 2008 are
- Wednesday 30th April to Wednesday 30th August
Preparation for CBPP Placement
All students undertaking CBPP in 2008 completed an orientation program.
This program was designed to develop a broad understanding of:
- The CBPP Program within the context of the GMBBS and it’s relationship to each component of the curriculum
- The basic structure and function of the welfare system including the roles and relationships between government, welfare organisations and community health services.
- The types of placements offered; the selection, allocation and interview process
- Working within a community-based agency including ethics and law, duty of care, professional boundaries and behaviour
Identification of placement opportunities
During 2007 CBPP staff worked with the community partners to identify placement opportunities. Community-based staff, who will undertake the role of Field Educator, submit a placement proposal which is ratified by CBPP Faculty Staff. Once approved, placement descriptions are uploaded to this site and are accessed by students for selection.
Placement selection and allocation
Students log-in to view placement offers. Each student selects three placement preferences and a preferred practice area (e.g. youth or homelessness services) and submits these to the Placements Coordinator.
A small number of students miss out on their preferred placement, in which case the CBPP Coordinator considers the students preferred practice area and identifies alternative placement options.
Placement Interviews and confirmation
Each student is required to contact their allocated Field Educator to request an interview. The student will attend the agency, meet with staff and discuss the requirements of the placement. This is an opportunity for both student and Field Educator to clarify placement expectations and requirements. If the Field Educator is satisfied that the student is a suitable match, the placement is confirmed with the CBPP Coordinator. Otherwise, an alternate placement is identified.
Placement Structure
Each placement consists of 12 days within a community-based organisation over 16 weeks. The placement commences in Week 13 of the allocated semester. A summary of semester and placement dates can be found by clicking 'Calendar' on the right-hand menu.
Each placement is completed using a one-day per week attachment with a three week mid semester break and weeks 23 and 24 being spit between CBPP and Indigenous studies.
Complementary on-campus Activities
A lecture program has been designed to complement the learning of students in the field. These take place early, mid and late placement.
Our Community Partners
Monash University is fortunate to have developed partnerships with several outstanding welfare, government, community health and educational bodies. These organisations will provide placements for 60 Monash medical students in 2008 and assign experienced staff members to supervise the learning experience.
For a full list of Agencies as of January 2008 please click here
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