SFV4600 Comparative Social Risk Management Course description

The course presents main social protection strategies with regard to major social risks, as well as evaluation methods to assess the advantages and disadvantages of health and social policy interventions.

Language of instruction is English

The language is normally English.

This joint course is developed for all the Bachelor programmes at the Faculty of Health Sciences which are part of RETHOS (National guidelines for the Health and Social Studies), and is considered as an introductory course, preferably taken during the first part of the study programme.

In this course, starting with relatable examples, students will learn about asking critical questions about health claims and the sources of claims. This is followed up by focusing on the rationale for evidence-based practice (EBP) and its Core Competencies: Ask, Acquire, Appraise and Interpret, Apply, and Evaluate, and shared decision-making. The course provides a foundation for learning and applying more advanced and field-specific skills. 

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.  

On successful completion of the course, the student has acquired the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can define what EBP is and recognizes the rationale for EBP and shared decision making
• knows the steps of EBP
• is familiar with the levels in the S-pyramid and acknowledges the difference between single studies and systematic reviews
• knows the characteristics of a scientific article, e.g. IMRAD
• can explain the purpose and characteristics of qualitative and quantitative studies and syntheses of studies, e.g. systematic reviews
• understands the principles for critical appraisal and knows how to use check lists for different study designs, clinical guidelines and professional procedures
• knows different types of categorical and continuous measures of association and effect, and key graphical presentations  

Skills

The student

• can identify different types of professional/clinical questions, such as questions about treatment, diagnosis, prognosis, experiences and etiology
• can, for each type of clinical question, identify the preferred order of study designs
• can formulate searchable professional/clinical questions using e.g. PICO and variations of PICO
• can construct and carry out an appropriate and simple search strategy for professional/clinical questions from the top of the S-pyramid  

General competencies

The student

• can critically assess health claims in the media
• can discuss the importance of user knowledge, clinical experience, and summarized research in clinical decision-making 

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.

The student's learning outcome will be assessed on the basis of an individual six-hour written school exam. 

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

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 describe the structure and functioning of the musculoskeletal system
• can describe the structure and functions of the skin
• can describe the structure, mechanisms and functions of the circulatory and respiratory systems
• can describe the structure, mechanisms and function of the peripheral, central and autonomous nervous system
• can describe the mechanisms and functions of the endocrine system and its interaction with the other organ systems in the body
• can describe the mechanisms and functions of the immune system and the composition and function of the blood
• can describe important exercise physiology principles, tests and measurements relevant to a prosthetist's work
• can describe fundamental genetic principles
• can describe embryology and the development of the body

Skills

The student

• can palpate and identify structures on the surface of the body
• can carry out and explain simple functional examinations focusing on the lower limbs

General competence

The student

• can communicate with the user during a functional examination
• can take a respectful approach to the human body in connection with examinations and is aware of ethical dilemmas relating to examinations

The methods used vary between lectures, seminars, skills training in functional examination of fellow students, database searches, use of digital resources and self-study. Parts of the course are taught jointly with other health sciences programmes.

The following coursework requirements must be met before the student can take the exam:

• minimum attendance of 80% at seminars and skills training.