Overview
In this unit you will be introduced to primary health care as a philosophy, organising framework and way of working with people and communities. You will gain an understanding of the role of the primary health care nurse working in the community. You will examine the role of primary health care in the Australian health care system and be introduced to social determinants of health. The impact of social determinants and health literacy on health outcomes will be investigated. You will have the opportunity to explain the significance of immunisation for the community and your responsibility as a nursing student in relation to immunisation.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Must be enrolled in CL91 Bachelor of Nursing
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE data T2 2023
Harsh assignment marking with hard-to-follow feedback.
The unit coordination will endeavour to provide continuing support to the marking team to facilitate marking consistency and supportive feedback to students.
Feedback from SUTE data T2 2023
I found both lecturers [to be] helpful and showed empathy and understanding while struggling through my unit while being unwell.
Unit coordinators will continue recognising and responding to students who require support or other learning adjustments that promote positive learning outcomes.
Feedback from SUTE data T2 2023
Tutorials [are] not as long each week.
We recognised that a two-hour Zoom session was too long and planned to reduce it to 45 minutes to one hour each week.
Feedback from SUTE data T2 2023
The content of this unit was really fantastic. The lecturers were passionate and excellent. The information provided for how to address our assessments was very supportive.
The unit coordination team should continue providing specific Zoom sessions for all written assessments to guide students.
Feedback from Email
I wanted to extend my abundant gratitude to you [unit coordinator], for your time and support for me in this subject. Your comments in the supplementary assessment have been extremely helpful and guiding, and I am truly grayeful (sic) it was you who market (sic) the assessment. I feel honoured to have experienced a class with you, your passion, knowledge and support has re-shaped my feelings and direction in this nursing path, and in life.
The teaching team will continue providing supportive learning environments to students to achieve the unit learning outcomes.
- Explain the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its influence on primary health care in Australia
- Discuss the relationship between health inequities, health literacy, and health outcomes
- Examine the relationship between social determinants of health and health outcomes
- Explain the importance of immunisation in communities and the role of health care professionals in vaccination programs
- Outline the role of the primary health care nurse within a community.
Content in this unit incorporates a number of professional nursing requirements
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships
Maintains the capability for practice
Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Nursing Code of Conduct
Legal compliance
Person-centred practice
Cultural practice and respectful relationships
Professional behaviour
Teaching, supervising and assessing
Research in health
Health and wellbeing
International Council of Nursing Code of Ethics for Nursing
Nurses and People
Nurses and Practice
Nurses and the Profession
Nurses and co-workers
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Partnering with consumers
Preventing and Controlling healthcare-associated infection
Comprehensive care
Communicating for safety
Patient Safety Competency Framework
Person-centred care
Therapeutic communication
Cultural competence
Teamwork and collaborative practice
Clinical reasoning
Evidence-based practice
Preventing, minimising and responding to adverse events
Infection prevention and control
Medication safety
Aged Care Quality Standards
Consumer dignity and choice
Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
Personal care and clinical care
Services and supports for daily living
Organisation’s service environment
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Case Study - 40% | |||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- CQUniversity Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.a.harris@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Primary Health Care Nursing
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Overview of the Social Determinants of Health
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Equity and Principles of health Literacy
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Primary Health Care Nurses Role and Vaccinations
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Neonates, Children and Young Persons' Health
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Health Promotion
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Assessment 1: Written Assignment Due: Week 6 Wednesday (17 Dec 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Have a Merry Christmas
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
enjoy time away from study, take a break and recharge
Module/Topic
Happy New Year
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
enjoy time with friends and family away from study
Module/Topic
Women's Health
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Men's Health
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Rural and Remote Health
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshop: Thursdays at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment.
Assessment 2: Case Study Due: Week 9 Wednesday (21 Jan 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Older Persons' Health
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Disadvantaged and Marginalised Groups
Chapter
Complete education module presented on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Zoom Lecture: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshops: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Review Previous Learnings
Chapter
review previous learning
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Tutorial/Workshop: Wednesday at 9:30am
Zoom Tutorial/Workshop: Thursday at 9:30am
Virtual Office Hours via Teams: 7:00-8:00am (AEST) Monday, other times by appointment
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
Unit Contacts
Scott Harris - Lead Unit Coordinator
Email: NURS11168@cqu.edu.au / s.a.harris@cqu.edu.au
Phone: 07 4940 3287
Location: Mackay City campus
Availability: Monday to Thursday via appointment
1 Written Assessment
In this written assessment, you will take on the role of a public health advisor preparing a report for a national health policy forum. The assessment is designed to help you explore how global health organisations—particularly the World Health Organization (WHO)—influence primary health care in Australia. You will examine how WHO frameworks intersect with health inequities, health literacy, and the social determinants of health.
You will complete two parts: an analytical report and a policy brief. In Part A, you’ll investigate WHO’s role and its impact on Australian health policy, and explore how health literacy and inequities affect health outcomes. In Part B, you’ll focus on a priority population—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, rural communities, or refugees—and recommend evidence-based strategies to improve their health outcomes. Your recommendations should reflect WHO principles and address both health literacy and social determinants of health.
Instructions:
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity:
1. You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicator:
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections.
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
4. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment
Extensions:
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Further information including task sheet, marking criteria and more is available on your Moodle site.
Week 6 Wednesday (17 Dec 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Submission Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only. Late penalties of 5% per day of the available mark may be applied as per the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Week 8 Monday (12 Jan 2026)
Return to students by 12th January 2026
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Explain the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its influence on primary health care in Australia
- Discuss the relationship between health inequities, health literacy, and health outcomes
- Examine the relationship between social determinants of health and health outcomes
2 Case Study
In this case study assessment, you will explore how health inequities and health literacy affect access to care and health outcomes in rural communities. You’ll examine the importance of immunisation as a public health strategy and reflect on the role of health professionals—particularly primary health care nurses—in supporting vulnerable populations. The scenario focuses on a culturally diverse community facing low vaccination rates and limited access to health services.
The assessment is divided into three parts. In Part A, you’ll analyse how health inequities and low health literacy impact individuals like Maria, a migrant mother navigating the health system. In Part B, you’ll discuss the significance of immunisation and the responsibilities of health professionals in promoting vaccination. Part C asks you to reflect on your role as a primary health care nurse and how you would provide culturally safe, person-centred care to support Maria and her family. You’ll need to use at least 12 contemporary references to support your discussion.
Academic Integrity:
1. You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections.
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
4. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions:
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Instructions:
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Week 9 Wednesday (21 Jan 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only. Late penalties of 5% per day of the available mark may be applied as per the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Monday (16 Feb 2026)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Discuss the relationship between health inequities, health literacy, and health outcomes
- Explain the importance of immunisation in communities and the role of health care professionals in vaccination programs
- Outline the role of the primary health care nurse within a community.
3 Online Quiz(zes)
This online quiz is designed to assess your understanding of key concepts covered throughout Weeks 1–11 of the unit. It focuses on the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in shaping primary health care in Australia, the impact of social determinants on health outcomes, the importance of immunisation in community health, and the responsibilities of primary health care nurses. The quiz will test your ability to apply this knowledge in both theoretical and practical contexts.
The quiz consists of 30 randomly selected multiple-choice and short-answer questions, with each question worth one mark. You will have 45 minutes to complete the quiz in a single attempt. It is open-book, meaning you can refer to your learning materials during the quiz, but you should be well-prepared as time is limited. Once started, the quiz must be completed without logging out or refreshing your browser. Access the quiz via the Assessment tile on the unit Moodle site.
Instructions:
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity:
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Extensions:
Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit
1
Other
Monday (16 Feb 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Quiz opens: 00:01 hour (AEST) Monday 16th February 2026 (Exam week) Quiz closes: 23:59 hour (AEST) Wednesday 18th February 2026 (Exam week)
Results for the quiz will be available immediately after the attempt is complete
Marking Criteria:
· Results will be available immediately after the attempt is complete.
· Assessment re-attempt is not available for this Assessment task.
- Explain the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its influence on primary health care in Australia
- Examine the relationship between social determinants of health and health outcomes
- Explain the importance of immunisation in communities and the role of health care professionals in vaccination programs
- Outline the role of the primary health care nurse within a community.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
