Course - Work and Health - FH3001
Work and Health
About
About the course
Course content
Based on the national strategy for joint efforts for work and health and based on relevant research literature, the subject will elucidate and discuss matters that are important for sustainable participation in paid employment. Teaching will emphasize the challenges facing different groups such as youth, immigrants, elderly and people with reduced functional ability for whatever reason. Perspectives from health promotion, prevention and rehabilitation are integrated. The course clarifies how cultural, organizational and social conditions both inhibit and promote a person's or groups' ability to participate in payroll work. Basic topics highlighted are interventions and policies that support work inclusion and social equality; the Norwegian welfare state (current situation, development over time, future perspective and international comparison), sick leave and health related benefits. Furthermore, the role of the various parties in work life, health and welfare, their common and distinctive competencies as well as arenas and methods for cross-professional cooperation are highlighted. Models for the knowledge-based evaluation of health, function and ability to work are presented. Knowledge-based interventions to support work inclusion and occupational rehabilitation as well as other efforts aimed at supporting participation in the work force are central to the course.
Learning outcome
Based on social, organizational and cultural issues, the course will enable the student to assess the resources and challenges of individuals, groups and businesses when wage and health promoting activities are to be made for different populations.
Knowledge
The student:
- has in-depth knowledge of current social policy strategies, and objectives related to work and health
- has broad knowledge of social, organizational and individual factors that may affect the ability of individuals and groups to participate in working life
- has updated knowledge about the health and welfare system, working life, law and regulations and decision-making processes in connection with the health and welfare services
- has research-based knowledge on sickness absence patterns, participation, inclusion and people falling out of work in Norway and comparable countries
- has broad knowledge of key themes, theories, models and issues in the field of work health and work inclusion
- can use a health promotion, prevention and rehabilitation perspective in relation to employment participation
- can apply knowledge about challenges in complex work-based interventions (including occupational rehabilitation) as an interdisciplinary discipline with anchoring in various theoretical models with individual, work and system perspectives.
Skills
The student:
- can apply relevant theory, empirical data, and models to describe and discuss current health promotion and preventive actions related to work and work outcomes
- can translate knowledge about work inclusion in relevant population groups can evaluate and disseminate independent scientific work
- can exchange views and experiences across professional areas relevant to work health and thereby contribute to the development of good practice (cooperation competence)
General competence
The student:
- can integrate and communicate professional issues in new areas and contribute to innovative efforts in terms of work inclusion
- can analyze the need for interdisciplinary and multi sectorial collaboration at the individual and system level and use this knowledge for new thinking in the field of practice and research
- can identify the opportunities and challenges of the field of practice and research for the development, implementation and evaluation of new interventions that have a goal of employment
Learning methods and activities
Lectures, seminars, workshop, homework, own studies, co-student responses, TBL (team-based learning).
Compulsory assignments
- Submit a text on a self-chosen topic with reference to at least 3 scientific articles
- Submit abstract
Further on evaluation
Compulsory activity 1: Prior to the third session, students submit the first written assignment, which consists of a self-chosen topic illustrated by at least three scientific articles. The written work should include a brief description (1-2 pages) of the chosen topic, research question, and how the information was gathered (method). APA or Vancouver should be used as the reference style in the text and in the bibliography. The work is submitted on the learning platform with access to the teacher and is assessed as approved/not approved.
Compulsory activity 2: After the third session, an abstract of a maximum of 500 words based on Compulsory Activity 1 is submitted. The abstract should include: Introduction, research question, method (literature search), results, and implications for practice/conclusion. The abstract is submitted on the learning platform with access to the teacher and students and is assessed as approved/not approved.
Both compulsory activities must be approved in order to take the exam. If a compulsory activity is not approved, the student gets one more attempt to get the compulsory activity approved before the exam.
Exam
Oral exam where the student presents their self-chosen topic as an electronic poster, which is based on compulsory activities 1 and 2. The student will also act as an opponent for a fellow student’s presentation and must have read through a fellow student’s abstract in advance.
Required previous knowledge
Completed bachelor's degree. The course is part of the master's programme in Public Health.
Course materials
To be announced in Blackboard at the beginning of the semester.
Subject areas
- Health Science
- Public Health
- Medicine