SYK2850 Public Health in a Global Perspective Course description

In this course, students will be given an opportunity to specialise in health promotion from a global perspective, both at the society and individual level. This includes challenges relating to the nursing of vulnerable or marginalised groups, and children and adolescents’ formative environments in different cultures. The course discusses health administration in which international guidelines, among other things provided through the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organisation (WHO), play a particularly important role. Conditions with a bearing on illness, health and quality of life in the population at individual, group and society level will also be emphasised. Students take the course while on an exchange organised under the auspices of OsloMet, and you will approach the course’s topics in different ways depending on where you are going on the exchange.

In addition, students will participate in the interdisciplinary course INTER1200 ‘Communication with children and adolescents’, which is held in the beginning of January. The workload corresponds to 1.5 credits. Students who go on an exchange abroad before taking INTER1200 are exempt from the attendance requirement. Relevant topics include knowledge of communication and interaction with children and young people and their parents/guardians. The learning outcomes expected after completion of INTER1200 are marked with *. See INTERACT’s website for a more detailed description of the content of INTER1200. Course description INTER1200:‘Communication with Children, Youth and their Families’ (oslomet.no)

Admission to the programme.

All students at OsloMet who take practical training or write a project assignment or bachelor’s thesis in countries of the global south (Africa, Latin America and Asia) must take a preparatory course before leaving. https://student.oslomet.no/en/feltforberedende-kurs

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of global disease and health challenges and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

• has knowledge of cultural, social and historical perspectives that explain the body and illness and form an understanding of health at the individual and social level

• has an understanding and knowledge of how complementary (alternative) medical knowledge practices affect nursing practice in the country you are staying

• has knowledge of how they can update their own competence in global public health and contribute to professional development

• is familiar with laws and regulations of relevance to the health and social care services of the country you are staying in

• has knowledge about the importance of appreciative communication with children, young people and their parents/guardians*

• can explain children and young people’s right to participation in decisions that concern them*

• can explain the importance of explorative approaches in cooperation with children and young people*

Skills

The student

• can practice nursing in a multicultural and interdisciplinary perspective

• masters communication in a new cultural context

• can describe the epidemiological and demographical foundation for public health work

• can describe the purpose, organisation and coordination of health and social care services in the country you are staying in

• can describe social inequality in relation to health and is familiar with the national and global consequences of inequality 

• can complete a project under supervision and disseminate the results

• can reflect on ethical challenges related to public health work and lifestyle changes

• can describe and discuss the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their significance to public health

• can find, assess and refer to health promotion and prevention strategies, organisations and measures in light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 

• can reflect on the status of relevant indigenous peoples in relation to the organisation of the health and social care services 

• can engage in appreciative communication with parents/guardians*

Competence

The student

• has insight into nursing issues in the area of public health from a global perspective

• has an understanding of the complexity of elements that are important to members of another culture and takes this into consideration in their nursing practice

• can reflect on their own preconceptions and attitudes when encountering new practices and ways of thinking in order for actions to be understood in the context in which they arise

• has an understanding of the importance of international cooperation in research and academic development

• can reflect on their own role in explorative conversations with children, young people and their parent/guardians*

• can understand the importance of interprofessional cooperation with children, young people and their parents/guardians*

Learning outcomes marked with * must be achieved through INTER1200, which is held in January. The students in this course will also take INTER1200. Students who leave before the course begins and therefore cannot participate in INTER1200, must write a reflection note related to the topics marked with *.

The work and teaching methods comprise project-based practical training over a minimum of 12 weeks, supervised by the practical training supervisor(s) in the country where you are staying and the contact lecturer from OsloMet. Furthermore, students will study individually, use digital learning resources and participate in supervision groups and group work in which relevant topics from the learning outcomes will be elucidated. The content of the practical training will vary depending on the activities carried out at the training establishment(s) at all times, and students will therefore be offered varied arenas for clinical training in terms of issues, diagnoses and complexity. Shifts and how the practical training period is organised will vary from country to country, and will be specified in an individual learning agreement to be signed before departure.

INTER1200 ‘Communication with Children, Youth and their Families’ includes two common seminar days, digital learning resources and assignments related to interprofessional group work and self-study.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Attendance: 90% for the practical training. The number of hours will be specified in the individual learning agreement and might vary between practical training establishments.

• Reflection assignments, three individual assignments demonstrating work on the learning outcomes. Scope of 1,000 words (+/- 10 %). Submission by agreement with the supervisor from OsloMet. The assignments will be assessed as approved/not approved, and the student has three attempts to pass.

• INTER1200: see the website for more details about the coursework requirements (Course description INTER1200:‘Communication with Children, Youth and their Families’ (oslomet.no) or approved reflection note

Group home exam.

• Normally written in groups of two to four students, but can also be written individually.

• Together with the local supervisor and supervisor from OsloMet/the Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, a topic is chosen that must be relevant to public health, prevention and health promotion in a global perspective.

• The chosen topic must be discussed, and the student(s) must use the model for evidence-based practice, focusing on context, including social, economic (living conditions), cultural and historical contexts. The assignment must be connected to the country and practical training establishment in question.

The group will formulate a research question. The exam period takes place throughout the course, and the assignment is to be submitted in the final week of the practical training period. Scope: 3,000 words (+/-10%).

Resit exam: A student who fails the ordinary exam can submit a reworked version once as a resit.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A–F.

Two internal examiners will assess the exams. At least 10% of the exam papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all students.