ORTO3000 International Public Health Course description

Public health work is society's organised effort to maintain, improve and promote the population's health, both locally and globally. Interventions are directed towards factors that contribute to better health and factors that might represent a health risk. Public health work is concerned with reducing health inequalities through work on equity, accessibility and quality of services.

An increase in disease rates, long term conditions and lifestyle illnesses are expected in the future. This is a consequence of demographic changes and a result of people's health behaviour. Competence in inter-professional and inter-sectoral collaboration in both public and private sectors is crucial to meet challenges.

Completion of the second academic year.  

On successful completion of this part the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• describe the challenges in welfare systems, relevant national legislation, and the role of national and international organisations,  regulations and agreements
• describe the past, and present developments and achievements of public health and discuss possible future challenges within the field
• describe social inequalities in health and their consequences nationally and globally
• describe epidemiology and different cost analyses and discuss inter-professional, inter-sectoral and evidence-based interventions with  target groups
• discuss democratic development and the principles of universal design from a human rights perspective

Skills

The student is able to

• address challenges in public health and demonstrate how to intervene professionally in collaboration with others
• demonstrate communication skills to improve health literacy
• search for relevant research, and analyse and apply to the findings in their assignment.

General competences

The student is able to

• apply the tools of innovation and entrepreneurship in public health issues and  communicate the results to an audience
• reflect upon ethical issues and discuss intercultural perspectives in public health.

The teaching and learning approach consists of group work supported by lectures, workshops and self-studies. Groups, consisting of approximately 5 students, focus on two assignments facilitated by tutors. It is expected that every group member contributes to the creation and presentation of both assignments. See the course description for further details.

All parts of the module have a focus on interactivity in promoting knowledge exchange and on inter-professional collaborative dialogue, enhancing self-awareness in the professional role. The students will gain practice in decision-making and problem-solving, related to client-centered and evidence-based practice.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

Group assignments:

• submit a written interactive lecture in English, including an oral presentation of the lecture in English, max 20 minutes
• submit a written innovation/business plan in English, max 350 words, including an oral presentation of the plan in English, approx. 2 minutes

Group assignments must be published on the course web site in Canvas. The assignments must be signed electronically by all members of the group.

The student may choose English or Norwegian as examination language.

Examination content : The learning objectives.

Examination form : Individual oral exam, max 20 minutes.

No exam aids permitted.

ECTS grading A-F.

Two examiners evaluate all candidates.