SYKKPRA45B Public Health Course description

Language of instruction: English.

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 course includes nursing challenges in working with healthy vulnerable and marginalised groups, and children and young people's upbringing environment.

Incoming exchange students are exempt from INTER1200.

In addition, students will participate in the interdisciplinary teaching activity INTER1200 ‘Communication with children and adolescents’, with a scope corresponding to 1.5 credits carried out in the beginning of January. Exchange students may occasionally be exempted from this requirement. Relevant topics include children’s and adolescents’ cooperation with professionals, explorative approaches to children and adolescents and professionals’ contributions to children and adolescents’ formation of opinions. The learning outcomes expected after completion of INTER1200 are marked with *.See INTERACT’s website for a more detailed description of the content of INTER1200

https://www.oslomet.no/forskning/forskningsprosjekter/interact

.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, skills and competence:

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 **
• can explain how the patient’s health competence is significant for life style changes and shared decision-making
• can reflect on health promoting and preventive work at the individual-, group- and society level with focus on healthy, vulnerable and marginalised groups
• can describe conditions that influence children and adolescent’s formative environment and how activity and well-being are significant for health, welfare and the prevention of disease for all groups of the population
• can describe key issues related to women’s health
• can describe key issues related to sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases
• can describe how migration, refugee and judicial status can affect each person’s health
• has knowledge about the importance of appreciative communication with children, adolescents and their parents/guardians*
• can explain children and adolescents’ right to participation in decisions that concern them* 
• can explain the importance of explorative approaches in cooperation with children and adolescents*

Skills

The student is capable of

• discussing ethical challenges related to public health work that aims to change behaviours **
• describing the UN Sustainable Development Goals regarding poverty **
• reflecting on how and why the status of Sami as indigenous peoples affects the development of the health and social care services**
• exploring how social health determinants are significant to public health and work inclusion at the individual and group level
• using knowledge of pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period
• applying professional knowledge and scientific methods to elucidate a delimited issue and implement a project in health promotion and preventive work
• carry out a conversation about everyday life with children and adolescents* 
• have appreciative communication with parents/guardians*

Competence

The student is capable of

• discussing the connection between social health determinants and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• reflecting on the health risks of people who live with demanding caregiving tasks, drug addictions in the family, and people who have experienced neglect or domestic violence
• can reflect on their own role in explorative conversation with children, adolescents and their parent/guardians*
• understands the importance of interprofessional cooperation with children, adolescents and their parents/guardians

An accessible environment are an important precondition for occupation and participation. Occupational therapists can work at system level with universal design, or at individual and group level with adaptation of the environment and the use of aids as a health-promoting or compensating measure Technology makes up a significant part of the aids currently available to users with physical, cognitive, mental or social challenges. Technology can also be used as part of the training of skills and functions in a rehabilitation process. Digital competence in development, use and security is important in a digitalised society.

Passed first year of the programme or equivalent.

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

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• describing universal design and adaptation of environment
• explaining how technology and aids can promote people’s occupation and participation
• describing different arenas such as home, school and workplace, and explain the connection between functional impairment, disability and participation

Skills

The student is capable of

• applying relevant knowledge about adaption of the city environment to promote independence, health and quality of life
• using relevant legislation, research and user experience to explain how the design of the surrounding environment influences occupation and participation
• justifying and communicating the need for physical and cognitive aids and adaptation of different arenas such as the home, school and workplace
• guiding people in testing, adaptation, training and follow-up in the use of aids and welfare technology
• reflecting on the benefits and challenges of using welfare technology

General competence

The student is capable of

• exchanging points of view and cooperating with others on the development of welfare technology and its use
• using activity analyses and adapting physical surroundings to promote inclusion, coping and participation in play, learning, work and recreation

Work and teaching methods comprise skills training, seminars, lectures, work and supervision in project groups and field studies in Oslo. Students work individually on three portfolio assignments to be graded in the exam.

Fieldwork

The field studies are based in an area in the public domain in Oslo. Students work with accessibility, adaptation and technical aids targeting a relevant user group.

In order to be permitted to sit the exam, the following must have been approved:;

• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance in scheduled teaching

Individual portfolio of two written assignments, maximum 1,000 words per assignment.

An overall grade will be awarded based on the portfolio. The two assignments are equally weighed when the portfolio is graded, but if the student fails one of the assignments, the overall grade awarded will also be F.

Resit exam: The student will have the opportunity to rework the assignment(s) in the portfolio that has been awarded an F once.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.