ORI1050 Public Health and Health Management Course description

The language is English. For Norwegian students, the topic of health management is taught in Norwegian.

This common course is developed for all the bachelor’s degree programmes taught at the Faculty of Health Sciences that are covered by the National Curriculum Regulations for Norwegian Health and Welfare Education (RETHOS).

The course deals with public health and health management. In the Public Health Act, public health is defined as "the state and distribution of health in the population". The course deals with the distribution of health challenges in the population based on risk factors related to health. Education, work and living conditions and international guidelines are elements affecting disease, illness, health and quality of life in the population at individual, group and societal level. Several of the international sustainability goals direct attention to countering public health risk factors.

Health management emphasis a fundamental understanding of how the health service is organised, relevant legislation, strategies and goals for preventive and health promoting work in Norway.  For international students, the focus will be on the Nordic welfare model.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe and explain factors that affect disease, health and quality of life in groups or the population as a whole
• can describe the epidemiological and demographical foundation for public health work
• can describe social inequality in relation to health, and is familiar with the national and global consequences of inequality
• can describe the purpose, organisation and coordination of health and social care services
• is familiar with relevant laws and regulations relating to the health and social care services
• can describe the relationship between work, education, social participation, inclusion and the experience of health
• can describe the goals for sustainable development and their significance for public health

Skills

The student can

• reflect on ethical challenges related to public health work that aims to change behaviours
• find, assess and refer to health promoting and preventive strategies, organisation and measures in light of the goals for sustainable development
• reflect on how and why the status of Sami as indigenous peoples affects the development of the health and social care services

This course will use collaborative and portfolio methods to provide training in the use of qualitative research methods and design. We give particular attention to methodological reflection, comparative analysis and the links between research questions and research design.

We will practice the primary steps of the qualitative research process, and reflect on the process of carrying out these steps, in order to understand the strengths and limitations of various designs.

Language of instruction is English.

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

Knowledge

The student has

• thorough knowledge of the research process
• advanced knowledge of qualitative research designs: their appropriate use as well as strengths and limitations
• advanced conceptual tools to be applied in discussing, evaluating, and exploring social phenomena

Skills

The student can

• relate research processes to scientific theory and ethical principles
• apply research methods in a reflective manner and appropriately choose methods that are relevant for different kinds of research questions
• use relevant methods for producing, analysing and interpreting diverse types of empirical data (e.g. literature, interviews, and field observations)
• evaluate research based on qualitative methodologies in terms of methodological quality and appropriateness

General competence

The student

• has knowledge of general research ethics
• has the ability to reflect critically on the ethical dimensions of data collection, analysis and presentation of data
• has the ability to think critically concerning the development, design and execution of research

The course consists of lectures, seminar group- and individual exercises.

Course meetings are divided into lecture and seminar portions. In the seminar, student project groups and/or individual students work with practical exercises. The seminars will be supervised on demand. Students will complete practical exercises in each seminar, which will be collected in a "project portfolio". Portfolio work will receive feedback from the instructor and at specified times throughout the semester and a selection of the work will comprise a portion of the final exam.

All aids are permitted.

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

• Coursework 1: Participation in at least 80% of the seminars
• Coursework 2: An oral presentation, presented by the student project group, as well as peer feedback to another group's work. The presentation can be anything from a presentation of results from that group's work, to presenting the most interesting group discussion or reflection on course related topics.

Attendance during the group presentation is mandatory, and presentations and feedback must be approved by the course lecturer. Students who are not present or who have not provided input to the group or have not participated in providing feedback to a peer group, or have presentations that are not approved, will have to submit an alternative qualification to be able to sit for the examination.

Lack of an approved course work requirement will disqualify the student from taking part in the final examination.

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 explain the medical reasons for lower-limb amputation
• can refer to anatomical landmarks/structures that are significant to the adaptation of transtibial and transfemoral prostheses
• is familiar with amputation surgery at the transtibial and transfemoral level
• can explain pain and other consequential conditions after an amputation, and psychosocial aspects of amputations and the use of prostheses
• is familiar with symptoms of cognitive deficits and the consequences of this when communicating about the use of prostheses
• can describe key terms in socket technology, alignment and biomechanics in connection with adaptation of transtibial and transfemoral prostheses
• can give an account of materials used in prosthetic liners, such as silicone, elastomers and foam materials

Skills

The student

• can conduct a visual gait analysis and correct gait deviations
• can use functional tests, make plaster moulds, take measurements and use 3D scanning, printing and modelling
• can carry out clinical processes following amputations at transtibial and transfemoral level
• can explain choices of components and materials based on patient history and functional assessment
• can apply outcome measures and ICF and use the information in patient records and to define goals
• can write patient records
• can prepare work descriptions and carry out technical production procedures in the production of transtibial and transfemoral prostheses
• can search for, summarise and reference research articles

General competence

The student

• can apply fundamental clinical reasoning to become familiar with the needs of the users
• can conduct him/herself in a professional manner and take care of users in clinical settings
• can communicate both orally and in writing with users, fellow students and staff in clinical and technical situations

The work and teaching methods used vary between seminars, skills training, a clinical and technical module, lectures, digital learning resources, student cooperation and self-study.