HETEK4000 Interactions in Health and Technology Course description

Technological development driven by science and innovation is crucial for a sustainable future healthcare system. The process of developing, implementing, and utilising new technology requires interdisciplinary collaboration, active user involvement and understanding of the roles of public and private stakeholders. Stakeholders include the higher education sector, the specialist- and municipal health service, user organisations, as well as enterprises.

This course introduces key concepts related to technological research and development, innovation and user involvement and engagement. Students will explore how new technology can contribute to sustainable solutions in health care services and health related research. Reflection about ethical challenges posed by new technology, and the advantages and obstacles of interdisciplinary collaborations will also be central in the course.

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

• Practical execution of a statistics assignment in groups of 3-4 students. The assignment is carried out with the help of relevant analysis programs used in the course.

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

Knowledge

The student

• can account for key concepts related to technological development, service design and innovation
• has knowledge of different stakeholders and their role in the health service and in health related research
• can describe suitable professional tools and methods for identifying user needs through user-oriented thinking
• is familiar with some relevant technological solutions e.g. artificial intelligence, used in diagnostic tools, therapy, health promotion or rehabilitation work

Skills

The student

• can assess user needs with some established and new relevant user-oriented methods related to health and technology
• can reflect on ethical issues relating to cases from a health and technology perspective
• can actively engage in interdisciplinary discussions and collaborative group work
• can discuss technological developments in their own field both nationally and internationally

General competence

The student

• can reflect upon opportunities and illustrate ideas for future innovations within the field of health and technology, e.g. new sustainable solutions, working methods, services or products, with the help of user orientation and critical thinking
• can identify and reflect upon disciplinary differences, possible barriers, and ways of integrating their own professional background and competence in an interdisciplinary collaboration

A handheld calculator that cannot be used for wireless communication or to perform symbolic calculations. If the calculator’s internal memory can store data, the memory must be deleted before the exam. Random checks may be carried out.

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

• Oral presentation in groups of 4-6 students, up to 15 minutes. The group will present their health and technology project according to given requirements, and will receive feedback on their project. The presentation must be given in English.

Oral exam in groups of 4-6 students, up to 30 minutes. Each group have 15 minutes for the presentation of their project, followed by approximately 10 minutes with questions and discussion. The presentation must be given in English.

All answers are assessed by one examiner. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

The course is offered as an individual course. Admission requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in medical laboratory sciences, pharmacy, biotechnology, chemical engineering or molecular biology.

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