PHPS40040 Public Health Practice and Policy

Academic Year 2021/2022

In this module students are introduced to the principles and breadth of public health in practice. The module provides baseline material for the rest of the MPH course in terms of awareness of the roles and responsibilities of public health practitioners.

The structures pertaining to public health practice in Ireland are outlined in the context of the overall organisation of Irish health services. Students are introduced to the role and sources of health information and are provided with practical examples of use for public health. Policy development for public health is covered. The procedures for health impact assessment, needs assessment and audit are described. The principles of advocacy for public health are introduced with examples of advocacy in practice. The public health responses to smoking, alcohol, drugs and injury are covered. Students will learn how to prepare Public Health memos for different audiences.

The module is delivered as a series of lectures and seminars (with full student participation, working in small groups). Documents are posted for additional student learning.

Students prepare a group presentation as part of assessment.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course students will
1.Have an understanding of the concepts of public health and the organisation, structure and function of the health services
2.Understand roles of public health practitioners
3.Understand the requirements for successful public health practice (including advocacy, audit & league tables, health impact assessment, health needs assessment) through examination of practical examples
4.Be able to identify sources of health information for public health
5. Be able to prepare suitable public health memos/preparation for media and other responses, suited to varying audiences


Indicative Module Content:

Public health structures & functions
Public health policy development
Public health response to smoking and substance abuse
Public health advocacy
Health impact assessment
Health needs assessment
Health information
Audit & league tables
Preparation of public health memos for different audiences, preparation for media appearance
Presentation skills

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

17

Seminar (or Webinar)

3

Specified Learning Activities

12

Autonomous Student Learning

70

Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will learn through lectures, seminars based on prior review of materials posted, debate, student group presentations 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Assignment to be completed by each student individually. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

70

Presentation: Group presentation Unspecified n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

30


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive feedback on the group presentation after the presentation. General class feedback will be provided on assignment. Individual feedback on assignment available on request

Name Role
Assoc Professor Carla Perrotta Tutor