Postgraduate

MSc and Postgraduate Diploma/ Certificate in International Primary Health Care

Detailed Syllabus

Induction module [683IP01] (no credit)

Induction module [683IP01]
(no credit)
Note: this module must be satisfactorily completed before registration is confirmed. If you do not complete this module, you may find you do not have the skills necessary to take part in an online programme. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have completed this module.

Online induction for course software: gaining access, using different functions, interacting in an online environment.

The academic study of primary care [683IP02]
(10 credits)

Basic study skills. Introduction to adult learning theory and professional development plans. Introduction to online group work. Personal organisation, time and stress management. Introduction to primary health care as an academic discipline.

Research methods for primary care [683IP03]
(30 credits)

Nature and scope of research in primary health care. Ethical considerations. Qualitative research methods. Quantitative research methods. Critical appraisal and biostatistics. Questionnaire development. Principles of secondary research.

International comparisons in primary health care [683IP04] (20 credits)

Models and theoretical frameworks for analysing and comparing research, service and education across health care systems. Student-generated case studies of research, education and service development projects from different countries and contexts. Introduction to the anthropology of health and illness. Understanding and addressing the needs of displaced populations such as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Getting research into practice and policy [683IP08] (20 credits)

Clinical epidemiology and evidence based clinical practice. Implementation of clinical guidelines. Theories of change (psychological, psychoanalytic, pedagogical, cultural, organisational). Strategies and resources for supporting change. Exploring case histories of practical problems in change management for clinical effectiveness.

Quality improvement in primary care [683IP09] (20 credits)

Exploring ambiguities and definitions around the concept of quality in health care. Methods for validating quality in primary health care - validity issues. Strategies for discovering and incorporating users' views in health care management.

Health informatics [683IP10] (20 credits)

Information systems in health care, including the design of health information systems and health care records; language and coding; and compatibility and security issues. "Datasets" - strengths and limitations. Informatics in education and continuing professional development.

Narrative in health and illness [683IP16]
(30 credits)
This module aims to promote the understanding and use of narrative methods in health care research, teaching, and service development. On completion of this module, the student will be expected to:

• Explain the theoretical advantages and limitations of narrative approaches to the study of health and illness.
• Apply the principles of narrative analysis to patients’ illness narratives and narratives of professional practice, including ethical issues. 
• Outline how narrative methods might be used to inform a component of an educational course or a quality improvement or service development initiative.

Philosophy and psychology of primary care [683IP11] (20 credits)

The philosophical basis of primary health care. Philosophical medical ethics. Theories of justice. Psychological models of the consultation: cognitive-behavioural, psychoanalytic, social role, information processing, narrative-interpretive and personal construct theories.

Research dissertation [683IP12] (40 credits)

Prerequisites: The academic study of primary care [6831IP02] and Research methods for primary care [6831IP03]

Identifying and refining a research question. Scoping, developing and undertaking a research project. Identifying sources of funding. Research ethics. Project management. Intellectual property, authorship, publication.

Service development dissertation [683IP13] (40 credits)

Prerequisites: The academic study of primary care [6831IP02] and Research methods for primary care [6831IP03]

Principles of community based approaches to developing primary care services. Planning and prioritising interventions to meet local needs. Implementation of community health programmes. Evaluation of primary care development projects - qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Teaching and learning dissertation [683IP14] (40 credits)

Prerequisites: The academic study of primary care [6831IP02] and Research methods for primary care [6831IP03]

Teaching and training in primary care - defining roles and responsibilities. Developing and delivering educational courses and events. Overcoming practical barriers to effective teaching in a community setting. Assessment of learners and evaluation of teaching.

Systematic review dissertation [683IP15] (40 credits)

Prerequisites: The academic study of primary care [6831IP02] and Research methods for primary care [6831IP03]

Advanced search techniques. Principles of systematic review and research synthesis. Principles of meta-analysis. Statistical techniques for meta-analysis.