Curriculum and regulations. Master of Science in Public Health

Transcription

1 Curriculum and regulations Master of Science in Public Health University of Southern Denmark Updated 6 July, 2011

2 Approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences on 2 September, The following curriculum and regulations are set for the Master of Science in Public Health, University of Southern Denmark according to: Ministerial order no. 814 of 29 June 2010 (Bekendtgørelse om bachelor- og kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne, nr. 814 af 29. juni 2010 (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) Ministerial order no. 857 of 1 July 2010 (Bekendtgørelse om eksamen ved universitetsuddannelser (eksamensbekendtgørelsen) Ministerial order no. 250 of 15 March 2007 (Bekendtgørelse om karakterskala og anden bedømmelse ved universitetsuddannelser (karakterbekendtgørelsen) Ministerial order no. 181 of 23 February 2010 (Bekendtgørelse om adgang m.v. ved bachelor- og kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne (adgangsbekendtgørelsen) The Public Health Study Board can grant exemptions to its own regulations. The curriculum and regulations apply to students enrolled in the Master of Science in Public Health from 1 September

3 Table of Contents 1 ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER S PROGRAMME NAME OF THE PROGRAMME OFFICIAL DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC PROFILE REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE INDIVIDUAL DISCIPLINES, RELATEDNESS AND PROGRESSION COURSES, ECTS-POINTS AND EVALUATION COMPULSORY MODULES SPECIALISATION: HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALISATION: HEALTH ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT SPECIALISATION: GLOBAL HEALTH SPECIAL ELECTIVES REGULATIONS REGARDING THE MASTER S THESIS THE MASTER S THESIS REGULATIONS REGARDING ORAL / WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS (OTHER THAN THE MASTER S THESIS) TYPES OF EXAMINATIONS REGULATIONS ON CREDIT REGULATIONS ON PRACTICAL TRAINING TIME LIMITS REQUIREMENTS ON THE READING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEXTS AND WHAT LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPECIFIC FOREIGN LANGUAGE THIS IMPLIES REGULATIONS ON EXAMINATIONS MAKE-UP AND RE-EXAMINATION SPECIAL EXAMINATION REGULATIONS CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEYING EXAM REGULATIONS EXAMINATION COMPLAINTS REGULATIONS ON AUDIO RECORDINGS OF ORAL EXAMINATIONS THE USE OF PCS DURING EXAMINATIONS EXAMINATION RESULTS SPECIAL TYPES OF EXAMINATIONS OTHER REGULATIONS AMENDMENTS

4 1 Entrance requirements for the Master s programme Admission to the Master of Science in Public Health programme presupposes a Bachelor degree within the field of health sciences. Applicants with a Bachelor degree in Public Health or Sports Science and Health (Idræt og Sundhed) are given direct admission to the programme. Applicants with other educational backgrounds and everyone seeking admission on the background of qualifications acquired abroad, must be able to document 1) educational prerequisites corresponding to Bachelor level and 2) basic subject-related knowledge especially with respect to statistics, epidemiology and science theory. If there are more qualified applicants than study places at disposal, selection will take place according to the following principle: Those with the highest average scores obtained during their respective Bachelor studies will be admitted first. If two or more students have obtained the same average scores and these students are the last ones in line for potential admission, the oldest student will be admitted. 2 Name of the programme Successful completion of the public health Master s programme gives the graduate the right to the title of Cand(idatus/a) scient(iae) san(itatis) publ(icae). In English, Master of Science in Public Health.. 3 Official duration of the programme The duration of the MSc in Public Health is a two-year full-time study, corresponding to 120 ECTS-points. 4 Professional and academic profile Purpose of the programme The purpose of the programme is to provide students with a scientifically based thorough knowledge of, and insight into, the field of public health. The Master of Science in Public Health programme enhances the knowledge and understanding of the field of public health associated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in a way that it provides a basis for originality in developing and applying ideas in a research context. This is in order to thus enable them to use their competences achieved for the purpose of treating a variety of public health related issues in an independent, critical and constructive manner. This will take place via the study of the determinants of health in conjunction with methodological-theoretical and practical work on systematic and applied analyses of and efforts to promote health in a given population. The programme thus qualifies the student for participating in a largely self-directed manner in scientific development work and possibly for further training, including education at the PhD level. 4

5 Central disciplines of the programme The Master s programme in public health is interdisciplinary and bridges, first and foremost, research areas and methods within the fields of health and social sciences. Science theory and statistics are constituent parts of the programme modules, independently and as integral subjects. Teaching methods of the programme Within the framework of the respective modules of the programme, teaching will be based on lectures together with problem-based learning (PBL), seminars, and project work. Structure of the programme The programme consists of 1) several core modules and electives, and 2) a thesis (cf. schematic outline of the curriculum). Professional and occupation-relevant qualifications on successful completion of the programme Conditional on the choice of main specialisation, the graduate in public health science will either be particularly or generally qualified for handling problems within the fields of public health planning (either nationally or globally) and public health administration (either nationally or globally). Furthermore, the graduate in public health science will be qualified for dealing with analysis, development, planning, advising, teaching, and research in relation to prevention and health promotion. Independent of the choice of specialisation, the graduate in public health will have extended knowledge on the health status and conditions for health of various population groups to be able to critically assess the theories, methods and strategies used to promote and protect the populations health and well-being to be able to apply relevant theory, research methods and research approaches within public health have skills to: independently gather and analyse information on the health and well-being of selected population groups. analyse and critically assess the influence of behavioural, environmental and social conditions on the physical, mental and social health and quality of life of population groups. take over leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes, policies and institutions that aim at prevention, health promotion, care, rehabilitation, and treatment. have competencies to: communicate and co-operate interdisciplinary locally, nationally, and internationally on public health-related initiatives, subjects, methods, and theories. 5

6 teach and carry through research-oriented investigations within the framework of the public health area in a largely autonomous manner. 6

7 5 Regulations pertaining to the individual disciplines, relatedness and progression The programme consists of 1) several core modules and electives, and 2) a thesis. Within the programme the student s degree of freedom in the choice of modules and interest areas steadily increases from the first to the last semester. Therewith the structure of the programme encourages the student increasingly towards self-directed and autonomous knowledge acquisition and problem solving. Core modules The first semester of the Master of Science in Public Health programme plus the modules Evaluation and A Critical Reflection to Public Health Research of the second semester as well as the Master s thesis are obligatory for all students. The six core modules are concentrated on the first and part of the second semester in order to lay the basis for more in depths studies in the electives phase. With special emphasis on methodological-theoretical perspectives, it is the purpose of the core modules of the programme to develop students skills as to the systematic and reliable collection of knowledge concerning the state of health conditions and status of various populations. Furthermore, to develop, employ, analyse and evaluate measures directed at influencing both lifestyle and general condition factors of decisive importance for the health and well-being of the individual and thus that of the community. The core modules secure fundamental knowledge and understanding related to theory, ethics, research approaches and methodology as well as intervention and evaluation methods in the field of public health. Specialisation In the second semester the student may choose to concentrate upon one out of the three specialisations offered: Health Promotion, Health Economics and Management, or Global Health. This shall enable the student to acquire in depths knowledge and understanding within a major field of public health research and practice. As regards the three main specialisations, the first two modules herein included are obligatory (cf. Outline of academic programme and semester structure). Likewise, the topic chosen for the Master s thesis must be founded in the main specialisation selected by the student. Electives In the third semester the student may choose four modules out of the offer of electives. Students can, but must not complement the chosen specialisation with additional modules from the same field. Limitations in scheduling do not allow, however, for all potential combinations of modules per semester period. Students can also choose to take and to be examined in a subject offered by other graduate programmes within or outside of Denmark within the fields of humanities, social, natural, health or technical science. Moreover, they can also choose an internship. The latter possibilities, however, require pre-approval by the Public Health Study Board. 7

8 6 Courses, ECTS-points and evaluation Schematic outline of the curriculum Course Semester Time of examination ECTSpoints Examination Evaluation / censorship 1 st semester Public Health in the 21 st Century 1 st sem. 1 st period 7.5 Oral examination 7-point grading scale / internal Public Health Policy and Administration 1 st sem. 1 st period 7.5 Compulsory paper 7-point grading scale / external Advanced Epidemiology 1 st sem. 2 nd period hour written examination 7-point grading scale / internal Applied Biostatistics 1 st sem. 2 nd period hour written examination 7-point grading scale / internal Total 1 st semester 30 2 nd semester Evaluation 2 nd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Compulsory paper 7-point grading scale / external A Critical Reflection on Public Health 2 nd sem. 2 nd period 7.5 Compulsory paper Pass No pass / internal Research Specialisation: Health Promotion Health Promotion Planning 2 nd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Written report 7-point grading scale / internal Health Communication 2 nd sem. 2 nd period hour written examination 7-point grading scale / external Specialisation: Health Economics and Management Change and Knowledge Management 2 nd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Written report 7-point grading scale / internal in Health Systems Health Technology Assessment 2 nd sem. 2 nd period 7.5 Written report with oral examination 7-point grading scale / internal Specialisation: Global Health The State of Global Health 2 nd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Written five-day take-home examination 7-point grading scale / internal Harmonisation, Sovereignty, Diversity and 2 nd sem. 2 nd period 7.5 Oral examination 7-point grading scale / internal Global Health Total 2 nd semester 30 8

9 Schematic outline of the curriculum Course Semester Time of examination ECTSpoints Examination Evaluation / censorship 3 rd semester Specialisation: Health Promotion Empowerment and Social Policy 3 rd sem. 2 nd period 7.5 Written report 7-point grading scale / internal Worksite Health Promotion 3 rd sem. 2 nd period 7.5 Written report 7-point grading scale / internal Specialisation: Health Economics and Management Health Policy 3 rd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Written assignment 7-point grading scale / internal Patient Courses and Patient Planning 3 rd sem. 2 nd period hour written examination 7-point grading scale / external Specialisation: Global Health: Public Health Research on Global Scale 3 rd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Written project report 7-point grading scale / internal Special Electives: Risk Communication 3 rd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Written report 7-point grading scale / internal Project Management 3 rd sem. 2 nd period 7.5 Written assignment with oral 7-point grading scale / internal examination Methodology of Social Science and Qualitative Research 3 rd sem. 1 st period 7.5 Written assignment with oral examination on the basis of a synopsis 7-point grading scale / internal Total 3 rd semester 30 4 th semester Master s thesis 4 th sem. 2 nd period 30 Written assignment with oral defence Total 4 th semester 30 7-point grading scale / external Master of Science in Public Health 120,0 9

10 6.1 Compulsory modules General Public Health Six modules are compulsory for all Master of Science in Public Health students, as they provide the foundations of the profession, irrespective of the specialisation chosen: Module title: Public Health in the 21 st Century: Challenges and Perspective ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: Public Health in the 21 st century: Challenges and Perspectives is an introductory course to MSc level public health from a multidisciplinary perspective. This module gives an introduction to modern public health and public health research as well as to different fields of public health such as epidemiology and social science, health politics and health systems and global health. The whole spectrum from a life-cycle perspective of the individual and family to a health system approach in enhancing health, preventing and managing disease, promoting wellbeing and quality of life is covered. Specific competency objectives: At the end of the module the student should be able to: explain the new public health and its sub-disciplines discuss central research methods and central challenges related to specific health topics explain decision making processes in public health discuss sociological and ethical aspects of public health interventions critically reflect on evidence-based interventions in different settings and with different partnerships apply problem-based learning and debate skills Time of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures, group work, case presentations, debates Type of examination: 15 minutes oral examination (10 minutes for preparation) No books or study material allowed during the examination Internal censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 will be given, if the student has shown excellent understanding and knowledge of the central Public Health disciplines and challenges and has comprehensively fulfilled the specific competency objectives with no or only few minor weaknesses. 10

11 Module title: Public Health Policy and Administration ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: This module aims to: introduce public health policy and its analysis to the students introduce and provide an overview of the role of state and non-state actors on public health policy, on both a national and, to some extent, an international and global level distinguish between well and non-well functioning states and to review the implication for any public policy making, including public health policy in these different types of states Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module, the student should be able to: describe the domain of public health policy identify the role of state- and non-state actors in the formulation of public health policy explain differences between well and poorly functioning states in terms of their capacity to implement public health policy programmes explain the impact of both public health policies and selected non public health policies (e.g. trade agreements) on population health in a country perform, under supervision, an analysis of a specific public health policy or any other policy that has an impact on public health Time of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures, case-studies, group discussions Prerequisites connected to the examination: None Type of examination: Compulsory paper Size of the paper: 5 pages (max) per student External censorship Graded by 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 is given for an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 11

12 Module title: Advanced Epidemiology ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: The module qualifies the student to analyse and discuss scientific epidemiological articles published in international journals and to critically review epidemiological literature. Further, it qualifies the student to explain and discuss major topics and modern methods in biostatistics, and to apply these methods to data from epidemiological studies. In addition, the students will learn to use a statistical computer package to independently perform statistical analyses on datasets. Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module the student should be able to: analyse and discuss epidemiological articles published in international journals apply commonly used statistical analyses in a way that enables them to critically review the literature define epidemiological research methods including randomized controlled trials and observational studies (cohort and case-control studies) and explain the strengths and weaknesses of these designs discuss and appraise random and systematic errors and bias (selection bias, information bias and confounding) in epidemiological studies and explain statistical methods that take confounding in design and analysis into account describe and discuss simple associations and effect measures (incidence, risk, KIP, relative risk, incidence rate-ratio and odds-ratio) and corresponding confidence intervals apply skills for planning and conducting epidemiological investigations explain major topics and modern methods in biostatistics apply modern statistical methods to epidemiological data independently perform statistical analysis in practice, using a statistical computer package interpret results from practical statistical analyses appraise and present results from practical statistical analysis Time of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures, group exercises, computer labs Prerequisites connected to the examination: In order to attend the final examination, the student must hand in two compulsory papers during the module which must be evaluated pass in order to be able to attend the final examination. The papers are written in groups, and are a prerequisite to be able to attend the final examination. The papers must be handed in on the dates indicated by the module coordinators. 12

13 Type of examination: 4 hour written examination All study material is allowed during the examination Grading by the 7-point grading scale Internal censorship Additional conditions: A take-home article is made available to the students before the exam. In addition, the exam includes discussion of a practical statistical analysis, conducted in the statistical computer package used in the module. Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: To receive the grade 12, the student must demonstrate comprehensively to fulfil the course objectives with no or only minor weaknesses. The student should demonstrate excellent epidemiological and statistical skills to critically analyse, discuss and appraise an epidemiological article, and a statistical data analysis conducted using a statistical computer package. 13

14 Module title: Applied Biostatistics ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: The module qualifies the student to explain and discuss major topics and modern methods in biostatistics, and to apply these methods to data from epidemiological and clinical studies. In addition, the students will learn to use a statistical computer package to independently perform statistical analyses on datasets. Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module, the student should be able to: describe and discuss simple associations and effect measures and their corresponding confidence intervals apply skills for planning and conducting epidemiological investigations explain major topics and modern methods in biostatistics apply modern statistical methods to epidemiological and clinical data independently perform statistical analysis in practice, using a statistical computer package interpret results from practical statistical analyses appraise and present results from practical statistical analyses Time of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures, group exercises, computer labs Prerequisites connected to the examination: In order to attend the final examination, the student must hand in two compulsory papers during the module which must be evaluated pass in order to be able to attend the final examination Type of examination: 4 hour written examination All study material is allowed during the examination Internal censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Additional remarks: The exam includes discussion of practical statistical analyses, conducted in the statistical computer package used in the module. Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: To receive the grade 12, the student must demonstrate comprehensively to fulfil the course objectives with no or only minor lacks. The student should demonstrate excellent statistical skills to critically analyse, discuss and appraise modern statistical methods, and discuss and appraise statistical data analyses conducted using a statistical computer package. 14

15 Module title: Evaluation ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: This module focuses on the methods underlying the various types of evaluation used to assess health initiatives. Evaluation is essential to prove the different outcomes of such initiatives, and to increase their effectiveness in achieving their aims. The course will increase the competencies of the students with respect to: understanding how evaluation can help us in doing more rational social decision-making assessing and applying evaluation methods to different health initiatives where the main focus will be on economic evaluation The focus of the module is both on the methods and theories of evaluation in general, and on economic evaluation in particular with application to the health sector. Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module the student will be able to: critically discuss the rationale for public health interventions relate and discuss the different methods of economic evaluation (cost minimisation, cost-efficiency analysis, cost-utility analysis, cost-benefit analysis) and their role in the decision-making process discuss direct, indirect and intangible costs and benefits explain and apply cost-benefit analysis, cost-utility analysis and costeffectiveness analysis explain and adapt the cost-effectiveness ratio versus the incremental costeffectiveness ratio describe and define methods to value the impacts of health outcomes (the human capital approach and the willingness to pay approach) Time of teaching: Spring semester Type of teaching: Lectures, case studies and exercises in computer lab with supervision Prerequisites connected to the examination: None Type of examination: Individually written compulsory paper - the assignment for the compulsory paper is distributed one week before deadline Size of the paper: 8 normal pages External censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 will be given, if the student has shown excellent understanding, knowledge and use regarding the different types of economic evaluation and has comprehensively fulfilled the specific competence objectives with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 15

16 Module title: A Critical Reflection on Public Health Research ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: This module introduces the theory of science as well as the research and public health ethics and gives the student the ability to identify, analyse and apply critical reflection on central public health research challenges. Specific competency objectives: At the end of the module the student should: have the basic knowledge of the theory of science in relation to public health have relevant skills to identify and analyse central ethical challenges analyse and critically discuss ethical aspects of public health policies, interventions and public health research discuss advantages and challenges of relevant public health research approaches and methodologies critically read research reports Time of teaching: Spring semester Type of teaching: Lectures supplemented by preparatory readings, debates and PBL Prerequisites connected to the examination: None Type of examination: Written compulsory paper on a given theme - written individually or in 2 persons groups Size of the paper: 5 pages Internal censorship Grading: Pass / No pass Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Evaluation Pass will be given if the student has shown active participation as well as adequate knowledge and skills to identify and analyse central ethical challenges in public health research as defined in the specific competency objectives. 16

17 6.2 Specialisation: Health Promotion General purpose Health promotion is one of the fundamental pillars of Public Health. Research in health promotion, deals with the knowledge and understanding of building effective strategies and programmes to develop personal skills, create supportive environments, strengthen community action, build a healthy public policy and reorient health services. The aim of this specialised specialisation is to enable students to understand and gain knowledge of theory-based approaches in health promotion and their development by systematic investigations. To develop knowledge about health and its determinants researchers have to deal with this wide range of targets in health promotion. Therefore, health promotion as a specific specialisation will focus on the development of students knowledge of scientific methods to develop and evaluate health promotion programmes. By the understanding of the current state of the art in international health promotion research the students will not only be able to work with different methods in health promotion research, but also to understand and discuss lines of development especially in regard to scientific issues. The students will learn to work with scientific methods to independently develop ideas for research and with their master's project develop a theoretically founded scientific report. The aim of this specialisation is to develop and increase competency in research including analysis, development and implementation of health promotion programmes for different target groups and in different settings. In addition, the specialisation aims to promote the students ability to attain a critical understanding of social and political, psychological and sociological theories. By dealing with the theories and strategies in health promotion, the students will gain knowledge and the ability to analyse health problems, identify and apply basic principles of research and evaluation on an individual, a group and an organisational level. They will learn to analyse the theories in health promotion and develop skills for the analysis and the evaluation of policies, strategies and programmes in international health promotion with scientific techniques. The students will also gain an understanding of intervention strategies in health promotion on a setting-based approach. They will learn to identify and understand the resources but also the barriers and obstacles facing health promotion. As health promotion focuses not only on the individual in the group, but also the organisation or the population as a whole, the challenge is to adapt methods and strategies to specific settings and health problems. To this end the students will attain knowledge concerning issues that are discussed in the current development of health promotion research. The students will be prepared for leadership careers as public health professionals in institutions, organisations, companies or government and on a local, regional, national or international level. 17

18 Teaching strategy The teaching strategy will be firmly based on the PBL-approach (problem-based learning). By working in groups and with problems and cases, the ability of students to learn about and deal with health promotion problems will be enhanced and will provide them with advanced knowledge in health promotion research. The different courses consist of group work oriented PBL-sessions that deal with cases and accompanying lectures. Besides the promotion of a deeper and more intensive understanding of the different subjects in the modules, the students will have the opportunity to develop personal skills in moderating and presenting health-related topics. By using this student-focussed approach, the students will engage in a typical interdisciplinary and intersectoral kind of work in health promotion and health promotion research. As health promotion on a professional level often means working in groups, the students will be encouraged to strengthen practical skills for problem-solving in groups and in dealing with group processes as they appear in practical health promotion and research. 18

19 Module title: Health Promotion Planning ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: The module aims at laying the conceptual basis for the health promotion specialisation by increasing the competencies of the student with respect to: knowledge on the fundamental principles and values of health promotion application of health promotion planning tools to conduct a needs assessment, set intervention objectives, select appropriate intervention methods, plan for implementation and for evaluation knowledge on quality standards and criteria as well as on instruments for quality assessment in health promotion Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module the student should be able to: critically discuss basic concepts and values of health promotion apply methods of assessment of community capacity and needs apply health promotion planning tools to design theory-based objectives for health promotion programmes and to select evidence-based intervention methods and practical strategies apply health promotion planning tools to plan for programme adoption and implementation and for evaluation to describe criteria for best practice in health promotion and to apply quality assessment instruments Time of teaching: Spring semester Type of teaching: Lectures, case studies work in groups with supervision and group presentations, PBL Type of examination: Individually written report on the case studies work Size of the report: 8 pages Internal censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade of 12 will be given, if the student has shown excellent understanding and knowledge regarding the basic principles and values of health promotion and knowledge regarding the basic principles and values of health promotion and the use of health promotion planning tools, and has comprehensively fulfilled the specific competence objectives with no or only minor weaknesses. 19

20 Module title: Health Communication ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: The objective of this course is that the student acquires the following cognitive and practical competencies: knowledge about consumption behaviour and how this behaviour can be influenced towards healthier consumption patterns by use of mass and personalised communication ability to independently select and apply theories that are relevant to describe, characterise and analyse a specific health communication problem related to behaviour and consumption Specific competency objectives: After having participated in the module, the student should be able to apply relevant theories to solve a health communication problem as well as evaluate the solution. Specifically the student should be able to carry out the application in the following way: describe relevant theories briefly (e.g. social marketing theories, motivation theories, learning theories, attitude formation and change theories, consumption decision making, diffusion of innovation and personality theories) select relevant theories to apply explain why these are relevant discuss and suggest possible solution to the problems using relevant theories evaluate the appropriateness of health communication interventions using relevant theories about consumer decision making and communication Time of teaching: Spring semester Type of teaching: Lectures and group work Prerequisites connected to the examination: None Type of examination: 4 hour written examination All study material allowed during the examination External censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 will be given, if the student has shown excellent understanding and knowledge regarding the general objectives of the module and has comprehensively fulfilled the specific competence objectives with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 20

21 Module title: Empowerment and Social Policy ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: The module aims at providing students with knowledge of: theories of empowerment developed within the social science concepts of empowerment constructs within health disciplines the impact of social structures and polices on individual and community empowerment an empowerment perspective on research and interventions Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module, the student should be able to: discuss basic concepts of empowerment and the values embedded in empowerment discuss connections between policies, societal structures and empowerment explain methodological considerations in doing empowerment research, including the role of the professional apply empowering methods in community intervention programmes Time of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures, PBL, case-studies work in groups with supervision and group presentations Prerequisites connected to the examination: None Type of examination: Individual, written report, essay style, max 5 pages excl. references. Internal censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade of 12 will be given, if the student has shown excellent understanding and knowledge regarding the basic principles and values of empowerment and how to use the concept in research and intervention programmes, and has comprehensively fulfilled the specific competence objectives with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 21

22 Module title: Worksite Health Promotion ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: This module aims to qualify the student to analyse the health needs of employees, to plan, develop, implement and evaluate health promotion interventions in the workplace and to assure the quality of health promotion programmes in the workplace. Specific competency objectives: After participation in the module the student should be able to: describe and assess relationships between work and health describe and assess health risks and resources in the workplace and its specific conditions conduct a needs assessment in a workplace setting develop appropriate intervention strategies to improve the health of employees on the individual, interpersonal, organisational and policy level evaluate health promotion programmes in the workplace and apply methods to assure their quality Time of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures, PBL, exercises Prerequisites connected to the examination: In order to attend the final examination, the student must participate actively in at least three student presentations during the module. Type of examination: Individually written report Size of the report: 8 pages Internal censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 will be given, if the student has shown excellent understanding and knowledge regarding the general objectives of the module and has comprehensively met the specific competence objectives with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 22

23 6.3 Specialisation: Health Economics and Management Though health economics and health management are two separate disciplines, they are together fundamental for understanding the current state of the art in health systems. Health economics and health management deal with the effectiveness and efficiency of health systems. Also, they deal with how decisions on new objectives for health systems are made. Health Economics As an applied field of economics, health economics focuses on a number of key issues related to the allocation of scarce resources with the ultimate objective to promote the health of the population. The goal of the health economic perspectives included in the specialisation is to develop an understanding of fundamental economic mechanisms, as applied to the health care sector, and to train students in economic appraisal of interventions, including preventive and health care interventions. Analysis of health economic issues requires an elementary knowledge of economic concepts, often in combination with a detailed knowledge of either health technology, use of epidemiological data, or institutions. While the substance matter of the discipline is health (prevention, health promotion, and health care) and the health care institutions, the analytical approach is the use of economic theory and methods. The specialisation on health economics promotes an understanding of the use of an economic approach to a number of issues related to health and health promotion. Among such issues are determinants of health, production of services to promote health or treat patients, demand for and use of health services and analysis of health care institutions and their supply. A specifically policy oriented area is Health Technology Assessment which includes a broad appraisal (including technological, economic ethical or organisational aspects) of a health care technology for the purpose of providing an input to a policy decision. Health Management The goal of the management perspectives included in the specialisation is to assist the students in acquiring an extensive understanding and appreciation of vital components concerning leadership and management of health systems. Further, it is the objective to enable students to apply theories and methods relevant for leadership and management in connection with health systems. A specific target is that the students gain know-how in relation to health management. Health management is the study of population health concerns and how they are addressed by the health system. Health management deals with both management of (i.e. health policy) and management in health organisations. Health policy forms the frame for management in health. Hence, an introduction to theories, concepts, and methods of policy analysis and their application will prepare the students for independent understanding and execution of individual policy analyses related to public health in general and to health management specifically. 23

24 In relation to management and leadership in health organisations, the students will have the opportunity of gaining an understanding of the path finding part of the managing process, problem solving part of the managing process, and implementing part of the managing process in relation to health management. Teaching Strategy Depending on specific aims and objectives of the various courses, a wide line of teaching methods and didactical techniques will be applied. A distinct ambition is to engage students in the organisation, execution and assessment of, for instance, individual lectures, group work and other educational sequences. 24

25 Module title: Change and Knowledge Management in Health Systems ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: Health management is the study of population health concerns and how they are addressed in health organisations. The most urgent challenges for health organizations are to create and share knowledge assets by applying knowledge management systems and strategies for change management. The module aims at laying the conceptual basis for the management of health organisations by increasing the competencies of students with respect to: knowledge on the paradoxical demands to management and leadership knowledge on fundamental theories of knowledge management and change management application of methods and instruments in order to analyse and evaluate how knowledge assets are returned to competencies and core competencies in organisations and how different strategies for change management may create better performance Specific competency objectives: After participation in the module, the student should be able to: critically discuss basic concepts and theories of management and leadership critically discuss fundamental theories of knowledge management and change management apply methods of assessment of the need for change in a knowledge management system of a health organisation apply theories to evaluate proper change strategies in relation to the context of a specific organisation Time of teaching: Spring semester Type of teaching: Lecture, dialogue, case analysis and consultation in relation to the report Prerequisites connected to the examination: None Type of examination: A report on knowledge and change management in a specific organisation, written in groups of 1 to 3 students. Size of report: 8 pages per student Internal censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade of 12 will be given, if the student has shown excellent understanding and knowledge regarding the basic principles of change and knowledge management and the use of analytical methods and tools to analyse the situation of a specific organization and has comprehensively fulfilled the specific competence objective with no or only minor weaknesses. 25

26 Module title: Health Technology Assessment ECTS: 7.5 Prerequisites connected to the module: Students need to have passed the exam in the module Evaluation. General objectives: The module aims at introducing the multidisciplinary field of health technology assessment (HTA) to the students, with a particular focus on economic evaluation of health care programmes. The module will increase the competencies of the students with respect to: knowledge on the fundamentals of multidisciplinary and politically oriented assessment of health technology application of the tools for appraisal of technology assessment reports, with emphasis on tools for appraisal of economic evaluations understanding of the role of HTA and economic evaluation as an input to decision making in policy and practice Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module, the student should be able to: describe the field of health technology assessment (HTA) describe how HTA can be used to support decision making in health care explain the role of economic evaluation of health care programmes in HTA appraise the quality of reports on the economic evaluation of health care programmes independently perform an assessment of the quality of a report on economic evaluation of health care programmes Time of teaching: Spring semester Type of teaching: Lectures, case-studies, group discussions and group exercises Prerequisites connected to the exam: None Type of examination: Written report with oral examination The student must hand in a written group report of 5 pages per student and must do an individual oral exam based on the paper of 20 minutes. Internal censorship Graded by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 is given, if the student demonstrates excellent knowledge, understanding and analytical skills with respect to the specific competency objectives of the module, both verbally and in writing as part of the exam, with no or only few minor omissions or weaknesses. 26

27 Module title: Health Policy ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: To describe and analyse present-day national and international policy issues relevant to the health care sector from both political science and economic perspectives. The purpose is to obtain analytical skills to understand health policy processes encompassing: health policy formulation, decision and implementation. The purpose it further to apply different theoretical perspectives from political science and economics to the health policy process and to understand the health policy process within existing organisational and institutional structure for health care systems. Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module, the student should be able to: explain the use of economic evaluations and health technology assessments in policy formulations and decision making discuss the regulation of markets for medicine and the regulation of pharmacies discuss the regulations for subsidies and co-payment for medicine and for co-payment and private health insurance discuss health care reforms discuss international comparisions of health care systems and how international organisations influence national health policy discuss aspects of organising and finansing health care systems Type of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures, debates and presentations delivered by students, case study group work Prerequisites connected to the exam: None Type of examination: Individually written assignment. The maximum size of the assignment is 10 normal pages. Internal censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 is given, if the student has shown excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 27

28 Module title: Patient Courses and Patient Planning ECTS: 7.5 General objectives: The objective of this module is to understand patient courses and patient planning from a system perspective as well as a patient perspective. Focus will be on the traditional understanding of patient courses from the health professional s viewpoint versus the system-perspective. In the systemperspective, the objective is to analyse how production and patient courses can be optimised subject to manpower, physical and organisational constraints. Specific competency objectives: After participating in the module, the student should be able to: discuss the patient course from the perspective of planning capacity via coordination explain patient course analysis from a checkpoint perspective discuss patient courses as quality assurance and development applying path-analysis and queue theory to discuss waiting lists and coordination across health care units Time of teaching: Autumn semester Type of teaching: Lectures and exercises with relevant software Type of examination: 4 hour written examination No study material allowed during the examination Dictionaries are allowed External censorship Grading by the 7-point grading scale Prerequisites connected to the examination: None Evaluation at the grade 12 / evaluation Pass: Grade 12 is given, if the student has shown excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 28

29 6.4 Specialisation: Global Health General purpose The Global Health specialisation will give students insight in, and develop analytical tools to assess and conduct research on global health problems, on to review institutions and actors that are active in the realm, focus on global control, monitoring and governance systems in the health arena, various value systems and cultural approaches to health, illness and methods for enhancing health and quality of life, as well as comparative aspects of health systems research. Current processes in globalization pose a range of challenges to national health and welfare systems with an economic, political and social as well as cultural nature. In health policy matters, nation states must increasingly collaborate and call on a range of old and new actors such as WHO, WTO and EU, development assistance NGOs, multinational corporations, international professional organizations and client/consumer associations, not to speak of the intricate interactions between those. International organized crime (incl human trafficking) and terrorism may be easily added to the list. Expanding international trade and investment, research e.g. by drug companies, people s and resource mobility, tourism and communication have brought health issues into the international political arena and may in many cases cause controversy and cultural misunderstanding. The specialisation will bring the students a profound understanding of the various economic, political and cultural impacts globalisation has on health status, the work of nation-states with international institutions, social, cultural and belief systems in regard to approaches to (global) health, and health systems reform efforts the world over. The curriculum of this MScPH specialisation shall also enhance and extend the students theoretical, methodological and research repertoire stemming from a wide range of health and social sciences including public health ethics. Teaching strategy The learning approach employed in this specialisation will build upon a combination of lectures, group work, PBL and panel discussion basis. New teaching modalities (elearning, IT-based exercises, etc.) will center on case-based materials on which students shall work in small groups during eight-week modules. Real life examples from different regions in the world will be used, and experiences of students from e.g. developing countries will be actively incorporated in the teaching. This allows for a condensed and focused approach of specific course offerings. 29