ERGOB1060 Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Health Care Course description

The programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Candidates who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master of Health Sciences (Norwegian: Master i helsevitenskap) in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master's Degrees. A specialisation in one of the following 15 specialisations forms part of the master’s degree programme:

Specialisations for applicants with backgrounds in health or social care:

• Health Sciences
• Empowerment and Health Promotion
• Mental Health Care and Addiction
• Rehabilitation and Habilitation

Specialisations for applicants who are authorised health personnel in the specified professional fields:

• Nutrition for Health Personnel
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents
• Physiotherapy for the Older Adult
• Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Health
• Psychomotor Physiotherapy
• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Public Health Nursing
• Cancer Nursing
• Nursing – Clinical Research and Professional Development

Specialisations for applicants from the professional field of nutrition:

• Public Health Nutrition

The specialisation will also be stated on the diploma alongside the name of the degree: Master of Health Sciences.

The master’s degree programme has a scope of 120 ECTS credits. Some of the specialisations are taken full-time over two years, while others are taken part-time over three or four years.

The programme comprises compulsory common courses, compulsory specialisation courses and elective courses, in addition to the master’s thesis. A more detailed overview of the programme’s structure for each specialisation is given under the section Content and structure.

According to the UN Agenda 2030, a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development is that everyone is able to live healthy lives. The Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences is primarily aimed at the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, Good Health and Well-being, while SDGs 4, 5 and 10 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, and achieving gender equality and reducing inequality, are also relevant. The 17 SDGs must be seen as a whole, however, where each goal is seen in conjunction with the others. The purpose of the programme is therefore to educate candidates who are qualified to help to ensure good health and promote quality of life for everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, education, sexuality and functional ability, while also attempting to address considerations relating to sustainability, including life-long learning.

The students taking the programme can choose a specialisation in health promotion, illness prevention, treatment, palliative care and (re)habilitation work. The programme teaches the students to handle professional problems at the individual, group and system level in close cooperation with other professions, patients, users, next of kin and other services. The candidates should also be able to contribute to safe, effective, holistic and integrated services with good use of resources, and to innovation, improvement work and systematic user involvement.

Relevance to working life

Possible fields of work and careers after completing the programme include:

• research and development in the health sciences
• teaching, development and advisory functions in the guidance, administration and dissemination of knowledge in the health professions
• clinical work that is based on specialised expertise
• health and social care management positions

Relevance to further education

Students taking the Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences who choose to write a master’s thesis worth 50 ECTS credits can apply for admission to the research programme for health sciences while taking the master’s programme. This is taken in parallel to and as an extension of the master’s programme. The research programme develops researcher expertise over and above that provided during the master’s programme and results in a research work that can later form part of a PhD-level work.

Candidates with a Master's Degree in Health Sciences are qualified to apply for admission to PhD programmes, including the PhD Programme in Health Sciences at OsloMet.

Specialisations

The Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences has a number of specialisations that candidates can choose. Applicants must choose and apply directly for the specialisation they wish to take when applying for the master’s programme. The specialisations are subject to different admission requirements. However, the students will take a significant part of the programme together with students from the other specialisations, partly through compulsory common courses and partly through elective courses across the specialisations. More information about this is found in the section Content and structure.

MAPSYH: Mental Health and Addiction

The Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction qualifies for preventive, treatment and rehabilitation within municipal health, social and welfare services, mental health care and interdisciplinary specialised drug treatment (TSB). The education is research-based, practice-based and experience-based, and meets society's demands for equal and knowledge-based services. It involves safeguarding human rights, participation, and development opportunities in society, and promoting good mental and physical health for people with mental health, drug and/or addiction problems. The first 60 credits meet the requirements of the regulations on national guidelines for tverrfaglig videreutdanning i psykisk helse-, rus- og avhengighetsarbeid (the Ministry of Education and Research, 2022). After completing the programme, the student can familiarize himself with research in the field and be able to make independent professional assessments and decisions in interaction with the person it mainly concerns, his family, network and others involved in health, social and welfare services. Practical training forms part of the specialisation.

For more information, see regulations on national guidelines for tverrfaglig videreutdanning i psykisk helse-, rus- og avhengighetsarbeid

Pass/Fail. The same grade is given for all students in the group.

After completing the PhD programme, the candidates are expected to have gained the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate:

• is at the cutting edge of knowledge within his/her field of specialization and can relate the subject area to philosophy of science issues (K1)
• can evaluate the expediency and application of different methodological approaches and processes to the development of researchable questions in the subject area (K2)
• can contribute to the development and production of new knowledge, theory and methods in the field of study (K3)

Skills

The candidate:

• can function as independent researchers planning and carrying out research in their field of study, including formulating problems and research questions and assessing the appropriateness of various theories and methods (S1)
• can carry out research at a high international standard (S2)
• can deal with complex academic questions and challenge existing knowledge and practice in the field of study and/or in the professional field (S3)

General competence

The candidate:

• can identify and reflect on ethical issues in their own and others’ research and carry out his/ her research with scholarly integrity (GC1)
• can undertake or contribute to complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects (GC2)
• can disseminate research through recognized national and international scholarly and/or professional publication channels, and to the professional field(s) and the general public in popular science form (GC3)
• can participate in debates in the field in international forums and present research at national and international research conferences (GC4)
• can assess the need for, initiate and practice innovation (GC5)

In addition, the programme will have learning outcomes related to the use of references and proper citation practices.

References

Correct use of source references and verifiability are required in all research. Candidates must comply with the guidelines for correct referencing and use of quotations in both their training component and research component. Inadequate references can be deemed to constitute plagiarism and cheating, and can constitute a breach of research ethics guidelines, cf. the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges Sections § 4-13. (R1)

The PhD programme consists of an educational (training) component (30 ECTS credits) and a research component (150 ECTS credits).

The training component

The training component is intended to underpin the PhD candidate's research. The training component comprises a mixture of mandatory and common courses/ requirements (required for all candidates to the programme); mandatory but not common components (specialization-specific requirements; methods requirements); and an elective component. The training component must be completed and approved before the doctoral thesis is submitted, cf. Regulations Relating to the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

1. Mandatory common subjects, 20 ECTS

• Research ethics, 5 ECTSResearch ethics considers ethical issues that arise in all stages of research and introduces tools and guidelines to conduct research responsibly. The course is offered by the Centre for the Study of Professions (SPS) at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, https://www.oslomet.no/en/study/sps/research-ethics
• Philosophy of science, 5 ECTS Philosophy of science is understood as the systematic study of scientific knowledge and scientific activity. This course focuses on those aspects of philosophy of science that concern the social sciences.The course is offered by the Centre for the Study of Professions (SPS) at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, https://www.oslomet.no/studier/sps/vitenskapsteori-phd

• Methods training, 10 ECTSMethods training amounting to 10 ECTS credits is also mandatory. Doctoral candidates are free to choose which courses are relevant to their project. Methods courses can be taken at OsloMet or at other universities in Norway and abroad, subject to approval from SAM’s Research Education Board.In the case of candidates in the PBIB specialization, 5 of the methods credits may be waived if deemed appropriate due to the topic of the doctoral thesis. This is to accommodate for projects having its centre of gravity in the humanities, where often the boundary between methods and theory are indistinct. In these cases, an exemption will be granted by SAM’s Research Education Board, upon application and with support and approval from the candidate’s supervisor.

2. Specialization-specific requirements, 5 ECTS

The educational component also comprises a specialization-specific requirement amounting to 5 ECTS credits. The goal of the mandatory course at the specialization level is to provide candidates with an understanding of the foundational theories, concepts, and approaches within the field(s) of study, including how these relate to methodological choices. The course will also socialize the candidates into the research environment at SAM and facilitate connections with doctoral students at OsloMet and other institutions.

The following are brief descriptions of the specialization-specific requirements. Candidates must take these courses at OsloMet, unless an exemption is granted from SAM’s Research Education Board. Unless otherwise noted, the examination for each of the courses will consist of a paper that will be evaluated pass/fail. Below is an overview of the mandatory subjects connected to each specialisation:

• BIG: Fundamental Concepts and Discourses in Business Administration, Innovation and Governance, PS9100. The course takes a conceptual and history of ideas approach to business administration, innovation and governance as fields of research and teaching. It introduces the foundations of the theories of social science and economics underpinning current research on business administration, innovation and governance, with emphasis on providing students with insight and overview of the diversity as well as the common ground. The course consists of three main thematic components: important methodological challenges to the study of business and governance; key theoretical approaches spanning several fields of research; and exemplary classical and cutting-edge contributions to each field.
• JMF: Media Development and Media Production, PS9200. The subject introduces central theories and research traditions in media production, and examines political, economic, social, technological and cultural developments in the media field in the Norwegian and international contexts. “The Media field” encompasses journalism, non-fiction writing, and other forms of media production and use, including in communication work.
• IBA: Theories in Library and Information Science, PS9300 (5 ECTS) or PS9350 (7,5 ECTS)The interdisciplinary theory course facilitates an understanding of the theoretical approaches and conceptual framings in library and information science in general, and in relation to the candidate’s own dissertation topic in particular. It creates synergy and communication between the field at large and the candidate’s own work.
• SASP: Ideas and concepts in Social Work and Social Policy, PS9400. The course will provide an overview and common fundament for understanding the diverse and mutually enriching fields of social work and social policy, and the links between them.

3. Elective subjects, up to 5 ECTS

The final 5 ECTS credits will be used on an elective course of the candidate’s choosing, in consultation with her/his supervisor(s). Elective courses can be taken at OsloMet or at other universities in Norway and abroad, subject to approval from SAM’s Research Education Board.

The Faculty of Social Sciences has a portfolio of elective and methods courses and new subjects will be developed. Available subjects will be announced at the programme’s web page. Here follows an overview of the courses currently available at the faculty:

• Action research and practice research, SP9250 (5 ECTS)
• Children in the welfare state: Understandng and research approaches, SP9260 (5 ECTS)
• Critical Engagements: Social Sciences in a Changing Society, SP9001 (5 ECTS)
• Current Research in Library and Information Science PBIB9300 (3 ECTS)
• Dialogues of knowledges in research, PS9700 (5 ECTS) Language of tuition: Spanish
• Intersectionality: Interaction of Social Categories, SP9230 (5 ECTS)
• Journalists at risk, PS9500 (5 ECTS)
• Qualitative methods, SP9100 (10 ECTS)
• Social inequality, health and work inclusion: theory, research approaches and empirical findings, SP9300 (5 ECTS)

• Dissemination (maximum 2 ECTS)Dissemination may be done by one of the following methods:- Paper presentation at international conferences- Dissemination by own original lecture. Four teaching hours (exclusive of factor) gives 1 ECTS credit (this is not applicable for mandatory work/pliktarbeid)- Research stay at a foreign university or research institution. Two weeks stay gives 1 ECTS credit- Other uses of innovative research methods.

Credit for dissemination activities are subject to confirmation by SAM’s Research Education Board.

The research component (doctoral thesis)

The doctoral thesis is the main component of the PhD degree, comprising 150 ECTS credits. The doctoral thesis consists of independent research work carried out in active cooperation with a supervisor (or supervisors) and other researchers.

The doctoral thesis can be submitted in the form of a monograph or a collection of several shorter scientific works (articles). A monograph is a comprehensive text that describes a topic in detail. A thesis written as a monograph is structured in chapters and with an introduction and conclusion, and the candidate is the sole author of the whole work.

A doctoral thesis based on articles must consist of a minimum of three articles. The articles included in thesis, must be submitted and taken into consideration in peer reviewed journals. At least one of the articles must be accepted for publication. In an article-based thesis, the PhD candidate's independent contribution must be identified and documented, there must be a thematic connection between the works, and the connection must be accounted for in an introduction (“kappe”) preceding the articles (as stipulated in the Guidelines for the dissertation at SAM) If the supervisor is of the opinion that more than three articles are needed to ensure the quality of an article-based dissertation, more than three may be required. Chapters in peer-reviewed books are considered as an article, but chapters should not constitute more than half of the total number of articles. The candidate may be the sole author or co-author of the articles included in the dissertation. For co-authorship, the fellow must be the first author of at least three articles. The efforts of the individual authors must be documented.

Required coursework means compulsory assignments/activities that must be approved by a given deadline in order for students to be able to sit the exam. Coursework can be written work, project work, oral presentations, lab courses, compulsory attendance at lectures etc. Required coursework can be done individually or in groups.

Required coursework is intended to ensure the students’ progress and development and that they participate in necessary elements of the programme. Coursework requirements can also be set to ensure that students achieve a learning outcome that cannot be tested in an exam.

The number and type of coursework requirements, the rules for meeting the coursework requirements, deadlines and other details are set out in the course descriptions and teaching plans that are announced at the start of the semester.

Previously approved coursework can be valid for two years after it is approved, provided that the course has not changed.

Required coursework is assessed as ‘approved’ or ‘not approved’.

Not approved coursework

Valid absence documented by, for example, a medical certificate does not exempt students from meeting the coursework requirements. Students who have valid grounds for absence, or who have submitted coursework that is not approved, should as far as possible be given a new chance to resubmit it before the exam. This must be agreed with the lecturer in question on a case-to-case basis. If another attempt at meeting a coursework requirement is not possible because of the nature of the subject/course, the student must be prepared to meet the coursework requirement on the first possible occasion. This can result in delayed progress in the programme.

The master’s programme is designed to be comprehensive, and the academic content and educational tools are interlinked, showing a clear context between learning outcome descriptions, learning activities and forms of assessment.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences has three or four compulsory common courses, depending on the chosen specialisation. In addition to these, there are at least two compulsory specialisation courses for each specific specialisation, and a master’s thesis worth either 30 or 50 ECTS credits, depending on the specialisation. The students can also choose one or more elective courses depending on their chosen specialisation.This does not apply to the two specialisations cancer nursing, public health nursing and mental health addiction as they only have compulsory courses in their programme structures.

The courses in the programme description build to some extent on each other to ensure progress, with increasing requirements for knowledge and understanding within each specialisation. The courses are mainly taken over the course of the semester, with start-up at the start of the semester and examinations towards the end. The exceptions are certain compulsory specialisation courses that include external supervised practical training.

The academic year is 40 weeks long, and the expected workload for a full-time student is 40 hours per week. This includes scheduled activities, students’ own study activity and examinations. The course descriptions provide more details about learning outcomes, work methods, coursework requirements and examinations.

Content of compulsory common courses

The programme includes a compulsory common course MAVIT4100 Quality Improvement and Implementation of Evidence-based Practice, 10 ECTS credits. The purpose of this course is to enable students to actively contribute to promoting safe and high-quality health and care services. By health and care services is meant both public and approved private services, as well as health promoting work in the public and private sectors. The course introduces students to the organisation and management of health and care services. It also gives students experience of interprofessional quality improvement cooperation. Through the course, the students will learn about different quality improvement models and the interaction between user knowledge, experience-based knowledge and research-based knowledge in clinical decision-making processes.

There are also three common courses in the theory of science and research methods: MAVIT4050 Theory of Science and Research Methods, 10 ECTS credits, MAVIT4060 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, 10 ECTS credits and MAVIT4070/MAPSY4070 Research Design and Project Description, 10 ECTS credits. These courses aim to help the student to read, understand and critically assess research literature, to critically assess various sources of knowledge that form part of clinical decision-making processes, to acquire in-depth knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and lead up to the development of a project description for their master’s thesis.

In the first course, MAVIT4050, the students are introduced to theory of science and research methods and research ethics.

The second course, MAVIT4060, provides students with a deeper understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

The third course, MAVIT4070/MAPSY4070, the students will work more thoroughly with their chosen method and develop a project description for their master’s thesis. This is to ensure that the students get to grips with work on their master’s thesis at an early stage.

Master’s thesis – 30 and 50 ECTS credits

The master’s thesis in the programme is worth 50 ECTS credits (MAVIT5900) or 30 ECTS credits (MAVIT5910/MAPSY5910/20), respectively. Whether the students are able to choose the scope of their master’s thesis depends on the specialisation they have been admitted to. Students will develop a project description as part of the course MAVIT4070/MAPSY4070 Research Design and Project Description, 10 ECTS credits. The project description is developed with the support of the lecturer, who quality assures the project with respect to scope and degree of difficulty.

The same requirements apply to scientific and research-related work regardless of the length of the thesis. Students can choose to write the master’s thesis individually or in pairs. Students can also apply to write the master’s thesis with students from other specialisations, provided that the scope of the master’s thesis is the same. On application, interdisciplinary innovation projects can be written in groups of up to four students. Students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors about possible project ideas.

Study progress

The following progress requirements apply to the programme:

MAVIT4070/MAxxx4070 must be passed before the master's thesis can be started. All courses in the programme must be passed before the student can submit their master's thesis for assessment.

Some courses may have separate progress requirements; see the individual course descriptions.

See the course descriptions for MAPSY4200, MAPSY4300, MAPSY4400, MASPY4500 and MAPSYPRA20 for a more detailed description of the content of the specialisation courses.

Five of the specialisations in the master’s programme have compulsory practical training in order for students to acquire skills needed in their professional practice. These specialisations are:

• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Public Health Nursing
• Cancer Nursing
• Mental Health and Addiction
• Psychomotor Physiotherapy

The field of practice is an essential qualification arena for acquiring action competence in the specialisation. Through practical training, the students further develop their communication and interaction skills and develop an important basis for theoretical analysis and discussion.

Supervision and assessment

Practical training is supervised. Pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the university is responsible for the final assessment of the student. Reference is also made to the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Detailed information about practical training

For more detailed information about attendance requirements, scope, the practical training arena and other details related to practical training, see the course descriptions for the specific specialisation.

The teaching is mainly designed with "flipped classroom" and learning activities in class and smaller groups. Digital learning resources such as digital lectures, videos and films will be available to the students in advance. Students are recommended to use these resources and to be prepared before the lectures and the seminars. The students are specially recommended to participate at the presentation seminar since this seminar offers a unique opportunity for learning.

None.

Project examination, consisting of a group assignment with up to 7 students, based on a case with a health claim in the media. The assignment will include the levels of the EBP model. The assignment is submitted as a written paper of 1500 words (+/- 10 prosent) according to further specified criteria.;

Each group decides whether their assignment is to be submitted in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Resit exam: If the assignment is given the grade fail, the group can submit a revised version once. ;

If this attempt fails, the group is entitled to a third and final attempt. In a third attempt, the group must choose a new health claim and submit a new examination paper.;

One external and one internal examiner will assess at least 10 percent of the assignments. To internal examiners will assess the remaining assignments. The external examiner’s assessment shall benefit all the students.;