Newcastle University

Aims

To operationalise the student’s knowledge of epidemiology, including an understanding of health surveillance and needs assessment, to answer practical problems, and to develop an understanding of the routine data sources available which may be used for health service planning and research.

Outline Of Syllabus

Health Surveillance; Health Information; Demography; Information Policy and Strategy in the NHS;Data Protection and confidentiality; Disease Registers; Health Needs Assessment; Health Needs Assessment in Practice; Patient and Public involvement in Health Needs Assessment; Screening

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching and learning methods used, with the emphasis on practical activities in small groups and general interaction, were felt the most appropriate methods for a masters course with relatively small student numbers. Most of the students have significant experience of working in the health service, and the interactive nature of the learning methods enables them to discuss their experience and to relate that to the concepts and ideas being taught, thus aiding their knowledge and understanding of the subject area.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Data interpretation and knowledge and understanding will be assessed during the examination. The assignment will test the student’s ability to critically evaluate the influence of the different determinants on the trends, current rates and distribution of a particular chronic condition. Skills in accessing routine data, and in formulating and addressing health needs assessment problems will be formatively assessed by presentations of the students’ project work.