MPH Public Health (Web-based Learning)

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Implementation Sciences

Course unit fact file
Unit code POPH64551
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Within the UK the increased pace of change in health services, greater public expectations and limited resources all require health professionals to reconsider how things are done. This is in order to improve care and services and so better people’s health. Implementation and improvement science methodology has been used for decades in manufacturing and other sectors, but it is a relatively recent innovation to health services in the UK. The premise is that using a systematic approach can help practitioners and managers design better systems, which will in turn improve health.

This course unit is an introduction to the approaches needed to implement policy, programmes, interventions and research findings in real-world health and social care settings, from a local to a global context. It will include:

  1. Systems thinking and behaviour approaches
  2. Identifying barriers and facilitators to the uptake of evidence
  3. Analysing and evaluating policy, programmes and interventions and their impact on health and social care
  4. Applying implementation strategies into practice in local and global settings
  5. Assessment and implementation of innovations
  6. Evaluation of research findings into different contexts and settings

Online content and written assignments with no assessed group activities (students on these course units could work through course content at different paces without negative impact on their attainment)

This is an interactive online course. Students must work through the online course material. Students are encouraged to use the Blackboard discussion boards to ask questions and check their understanding of the course material.

Pre/co-requisites

This unit is mandatory for the Implementation Sciences stream.

Aims

The aim of the course unit is to provide an introduction to implementation and improvement sciences for health and social care, from a local to a global context for the improvement of health and wellbeing.

Learning outcomes

Category of outcome Student will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding A1 Demonstrate an understanding of systems thinking and behaviour approaches in the implementation of evidence-based innovations, at individual, group and organisational levels in health and social care
Intellectual skills

B1 Identify and address barriers and facilitators to the uptake of evidence-based health innovations in local and global settings

B2 Analyse interventions, programmes and policies and their impact on health and social care

B3 Demonstrate an understanding of how to assess and implement new innovations into practice in health and social care

B4 Evaluate research findings into different context and settings

Practical skills

C1 Apply implementation strategies into practice to overcome barriers and increase uptake of evidence-based interventions in local and global settings

C2 Students will bring and work with a professional or relevant personal development ‘problem' related to implementation sciences

Transferable skills and personal qualities

D1 Manage time and work to deadlines.

D2 Develop a critical approach to implementing and applying evidence-based innovations into practice

Syllabus

  • Demonstrate an understanding of systems thinking and behavioural approaches in the implementation of evidence-based innovations, at the individual, group and organisational level in health and social care
  • Analyse and evaluate interventions, programmes and policies and their impact on health and social care
  • Evaluate research findings into different context and settings
  • Apply implementation strategies into practice to overcome barriers and increase uptake of evidence-based interventions in local and global settings
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to assess and implement innovations into practice in health and social care
  • Identify and address barriers and facilitators to the uptake of evidence-based health innovations in local and global settings

Teaching and learning methods

This is an interactive online course which involves working through the course notes provided online, linked references and other online sources of information. You will be encouraged to use self-reflection to help you think about the ideas discussed and take part in discussion board activities. You are encouraged to work through the unit in a logical sequence. The calendar in Blackboard will guide you as to what you should be doing and when. However, students on these course units could work through course content at different paces without negative impact on their attainment. Participation in the discussion boards is greatly encouraged. You are encouraged o bring a professional or relevant personal development `problem’ to the course. The course is designed to provide an academic basis for understanding and applying implementation science.

Employability skills

Group/team working
The student is expected to play an active role collaborating with experienced trainers and other students to work through their own problem and exit with a greater understanding of the issues involved as well as possible solutions.
Innovation/creativity
We envisage that students who have taken this unit will become ambassadors for change within their own workplace.
Problem solving
In this course unit, individual students will bring a professional or relevant personal development `problem' to the course. The course is designed to provide an academic basis for understanding and applying implementation science.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 100%

Feedback methods

Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their final summative assignment (2,500-3,000 words or equivalent) within 20 working days.

Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will also be provided during a course unit.

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 150

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Clare Huish Unit coordinator

Additional notes

You can find the unit overview video here for further information.

If you have any questions about the content of this unit, please contact the course unit leader, Clare Huish, via email on clare.huish@manchester.ac.uk. If you have any other queries, please contact the PGT programme team at shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk

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