Master of Primary Health Care

The Master of Primary Health Care at University of Melbourne enables students to undertake a major research project on a primary health care topic of their choice. Students will have appropriately experienced supervisor/s and an Advisory Committee who in consultation, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the student.

Students may be required to supplement their research program by attendance at, or enrolment in, additional subjects if considered necessary by supervisors.

All students are required to attend departmental seminars over the period of their candidature. When students have completed their research, they should have developed competency in the conduct of research methodologies in the primary health care setting. Students will produce a 30,000-40,000 word thesis that is examined externally.

Through this course, you will develop:

• an awareness of primary care epistemology and the paradigms that underpin the field, from behavioural science through to clinical science;
• competency in the conduct of research methodologies in the primary health care setting.

In addition, you will acquire an understanding of:

• the political stimuli driving change in primary health care;
• patient perspectives and participation in health care;
• organisational structures in primary care as they pertain to the chosen topic;
• the theoretical basis of the integration of care;
• the influence of IT upon primary health care delivery.

Research Masters degrees at the University of Melbourne are designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research. On completion of the course you should be able to:

• demonstrate advanced learning in research skills and mastery of appropriate techniques, such as the use of archival or primary evidence, analysis of data, judgment of conflicting evidence etc;
• demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of your research;
• present the results of your research in publishable form or work towards incorporating your findings in further research;
• proceed to a research doctorate if the Masters thesis has demonstrated appropriate research potential;
• gain admission to certain types of employment through this specialist qualification;
• apply the research skills acquired to other projects;
• demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, research ethics or code of practice.