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Evidence based practice uses epidemiological data derived from valid and clinically relevant research. This includes the accuracy of diagnostic tests, the power of prognostic markers and the efficacy and safety of therapeutic, rehabilitative or preventive interventions. This evidence is integrated with relevant contextual evidence such as patient and practitioner values, social, cultural and economic considerations to inform best practice.

Explores global health from a public health perspective, with a strong emphasis on health and its determinants in developing countries. Topics covered include the global burden of risk and disease, global environmental challenges to health, international health governance, international healthcare financing and international health promotion.

A discussion of policy studies frameworks, and how these can be used to analyse policy issues and processes relevant to health and healthcare.

Fundamental economic concepts and their application to healthcare. Provides students with some analytical skills with which to address issues and problems in the funding and organisation of health services.

The principles, structure, financing and organisation of health systems. Current issues and challenges facing health systems from a national and international perspective.

Quality healthcare is examined with an emphasis on strategies that enable individuals, teams, and services within healthcare organisations to implement and sustain performance improvement. Allows students to explore the quality principles to an area of their own choice.

Explores ways in which the environment affects human health. Studies links between industrial and agricultural development, environmental change and public health at local, national and global levels. Topics include the role of policies, legislation and public health actions in reducing environmental health risks.

Examines the values, theories and practice models of health promotion and in particular, an approach to the social determinants of health and health equity that seeks to empower individuals and groups to deal with these issues.

Examines the central role that positive mental health and well-being plays in the health of populations. It focuses on understanding the determinants of mental health and the processes by which these determinants affect mental health. The theory and application of mental health promotion practice, encompassing strategies for action at the societal, community and individual level, are discussed.

Provides an introduction and overview to studies on alcohol and other drugs. Incorporates theory and research developed within public health, mental health, and specialised treatment frameworks. Topics will include: coverage of historical developments, a review of major theoretical issues and an overview of current trends.

Approaches to death by Māori and other cultures. Resource and legal issues in the New Zealand context. Ethical issues: euthanasia versus palliative care, privacy, living wills and end of life medical decision-making; particularly treatment abatement. Duties after death, the nature of teamwork, the multidisciplinary nature of palliative care, the role of volunteers, emotional self care for palliative care providers, and home versus residential care.

Consideration of the principles underlying the modern practice of public health. Students examine the major core concepts in public health, including determinants of health, health equity, environments and health, health promotion and health systems.

Explores the use of community-based nutrition interventions to reduce nutrition-related health inequalities, and focuses on the use of appropriate theories to understand the nutrition issue; the use of data and research in the design of evidence based nutrition interventions; and the design of rigorous evaluation plans to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.

Focuses on teaching the knowledge and practical skills to conduct health services research. The course follows through the typical research process drawing on a range of different methodologies and methods, both quantitative and qualitative, to develop and answer research questions relating to the accessibility, quality and cost of health care and the improvement of health outcomes.

Explores the magnitude and consequences of the problem of, and contributing factors to, interpersonal and family violence. Examines some of the major violence prevention and intervention activities currently undertaken in New Zealand. Considers how effective practices and policies might be disseminated at the individual, community, and national levels. Themes include: the epidemiology of violence, causes of violence, developing and evaluating interventions, and violence as a health issue.

Focuses on the extensive health impacts of addictive consumptions, particularly in relation to the legalised consumptions of tobacco, alcohol and gambling. Outlines applications of public health principles to reducing harm from these consumptions. Critically examines the role of corporate industrial complexes in promoting these consumptions and in preventing policy and legislative reforms.

The theory, research and practice regarding counselling and psycho-therapeutic approaches used in mental health and addiction service contexts. Approaches will be critically examined in terms of history, theory, social context and trends in research. Particular attention will focus on counselling methods currently in use within services.

Develops understanding and competency in assessment and intervention work with clients having co-existing problems, specifically those most affected by alcohol and drug issues. It focuses on comprehensive assessment, effective clinical interventions, drug-specific interventions and culturally-specific approaches working with individuals, whānau, and communities. It will involve regular review of practice using case-based scenarios filmed with feedback from tutors, mentors and peers.

The psychological and social study of patients with cancer or active, progressive disease, unresponsive to curative treatment. Existential philosophy and models of coping with suffering, communication in palliative care, psychiatric disorders in palliative care, and bereavement.

Assessment and management of pain, nausea and vomiting, respiratory symptoms, delirium, and other symptoms commonly encountered in palliative care and at the end of life, together with an overview of palliative care emergencies, the role of radiotherapy in symptom management, and issues around nutrition and hydration at the end of life.

The systematic analysis of the physiological changes in ageing and the relationship of these changes to current beliefs and theories around the ageing process. Current issues around biogerontology are discussed.

An overview of key symptoms commonly encountered in patients with progressive diseases in palliative care and end of life. Addresses assessment and management of these common symptoms using evidenced-based learning.

An overview of the psychological and social study of patients with cancer or active, progressive disease, unresponsive to curative treatment. Covers existential philosophy and models of coping with suffering, spirituality, communication in palliative care, family systems, psychosocial assessments, psychiatric disorders in palliative care and bereavement.

An overview of key principles required to manage alcohol and drug problems within a Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) context. Includes a range of topics including aspects of screening, assessment and brief interventions, harm reduction, an introduction to motivational interviewing, and CBT in addiction treatment.

Introduces the clinical practice of Audiology. Topics include communication skills; ethics; cultural issues; and the clinical practice of audiology, including counselling, understanding the effects of aging, tinnitus and hyperacusis management. Students will obtain the skills and knowledge to take a clinical history and to perform a basic audiometric assessment of adults and children. Particular emphasis is placed on critical evaluation and independent learning. Involves clinical work including a nine week practicum during the summer semester between Part I and Part II.