Course content

The course focuses on how to achieve knowledge-based practice, based on applied research, experiential knowledge and user participation. Great emphasis is placed on collaboration with industry and health and care institutions. An important element is the identification of challenges and analysis of needs from various actors within the welfare technology field: health and welfare services, technology development companies, etc. Both the person in need of welfare technology services and their relatives are central to the discussion. The course is closely linked to the need for innovation in health and care services, where good technological solutions can contribute to a better, healthier and safer life for people with reduced function.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student can

• explain and give examples about the concept of welfare technology
• interpret and use theory, central models and methods from the field
• describe and discuss various technologies that can be used in welfare technology, including safety and security technology, compensation and well-being technology, technology for social contact and technology for treatment and care
• explain the implementation of welfare technology in society, both what is already in use in Norwegian municipalities, such as personal alarms and location technologies, as well as the most innovative solutions, such as virtual reality (VR) and social robot technologies
• critically present and explain the role of key actors, central political roadmaps and strategies in the area
• explain the importance of user perspectives and health personnel's challenges related to welfare technology within health and welfare services
• explain ethical issues and legal frameworks when using welfare technology
• explain their own and other professions' approaches to welfare technology
• discuss the importance of organizational processes in connection with the development and introduction of welfare technology
• explain how collaboration and interdisciplinary work can be realized through welfare technology solutions and services.

Skills

After completing the course, the student can

• work interdisciplinary with the development and introduction of welfare technology
• identify and describe the most important technical and health/welfare prerequisites for technological solutions to be able to function
• participate in planning/activities in relation to relevant user groups and assist the health and welfare services in implementing welfare technology
• map the need for different types of welfare technology among users
• contribute to innovation processes in health and care services
• organize and implement the development of requirements specifications for welfare technology solutions
• organize and implement introduction and organizational development processes around welfare technology

General competence

After completing the course, the student can

• discuss organizational challenges and prerequisites for implementing welfare technology solutionswork in interdisciplinary teams that specify, develop or implement welfare technology
• interact with users/relatives and other actors who work with welfare technology
• lead a working group that develops and implements projects within welfare technology
• renew and adapt professionally and develop their professional competence on their own initiative
• train others and share their own knowledge about welfare technology
• spread knowledge within organizations about the various welfare technology solutions

Learning methods and activities

Lectures/exercises/group work.

Compulsory assignments

• Participation in sessions and practical exercises

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent and a minimum of two years of relevant work experience after completing the degree.

Course materials

Entered in Canvas at the start of the course.