Population health has been defined as an approach to health that aims to improve the health of an entire population. The RACGP (2007) defines Population Health as: The prevention of illness, injury and disability and the reduction in the burden of illness and rehabilitation of those with chronic disease. This recognises the social, cultural and political determinants of health. This is achieved through the organised and systematic responses to improve, protect and restore the health of populations and individuals. This includes both opportunistic and planned interventions in the general practice setting (RACGP, 2007).

The Population Health Skill Set workshop will provide participants with the skills necessary to become involved in practical health planning and promotion for the future.

On completion of the workshop and assessment requirements, participants will be able to:

• Apply the theoretical principles underlying population health practice;
• Identify and define health needs in a community using a needs assessment approach and conduct a literature review of a health issue concerned;
• Develop a plan for a population health project which includes project aims/goals/objectives, strategies, methods, budget and plan the evaluation framework;
• Design a comprehensive evaluation of the population health project which will demonstrate achievement of objectives and success of the project and write an evaluation report.