The health promotion curriculum: Evolving and embedding competencies in contemporary courses

Abstract

The emergence of health promotion as a distinct discipline in the 1980s led to the development of competencies underpinning health promotion practice, education and training. Australia has made significant contributions to the health promotion profession and discipline, establishing well-recognised competency frameworks and educating practitioners. In Western Australia, Curtin University's health promotion courses have remained contemporary and closely aligned with national and international developments in health promotion competencies over three decades, due to course reviews and re-developments. In 2016, the Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion) course was the first in Australia to receive accreditation with the IUHPE system, and in 2019, the course underwent substantial review and renewal to better align units with the IUHPE Core Competencies and Professional Standards for Health Promotion. This chapter presents an overview of competency development in Australia and usage in learning and teaching in Western Australia, with a focus on processes involved in developing and delivering contemporary health promotion courses. The experience at Curtin University highlights the importance of close engagement between academic staff, industry stakeholders and students during course reviews to ensure revised units reflect a contemporary approach to health promotion, to equip students to become ethical, knowledgeable and skilled health promotion practitioners.