PY0773 - Systems Approaches to Understanding Health and Disease

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn how a full systems approach (i.e. from macro influencers such as governments and organisations such as the World Health Organisation through to micro influencers such as individuals’ attitudes and beliefs about their health) can help us understand, and evaluate why differences exist in healthcare practice and policy. You will explore how the concepts of health, illness, sickness and disease are constructed, measured and managed across a range of real world contexts and how decisions made at differing system levels can shape the health and wellbeing of the individual. Topics include:

How diseases, disorders and conditions are defined and prioritised
The descriptive and statistical analysis of health behaviours and disease trends
How health promotion campaigns are created, managed and evaluated under the framework of public health
The impact of family and peers on health behaviours and disease management
The role of individual differences in healthcare encounters and the impact of those encounters on health outcomes

How will I learn on this module?

You will participate in interactive lectures designed to provide an overview of the concepts, theories and models at each system level.
Additionally, the key concepts, outlined in each lecture, will be exemplified through an in-depth examination of a specific illness, disease or
health behaviour, using up-to date examples from the literature and from current practice (e.g. comparison of health promotion campaigns in
the UK and USA to prevent texting whilst driving). Independent study will give you further opportunity to enhance your skills in critical analysis
and explore key theoretical underpinnings and practical contexts relating to both theory and practice.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported through in-class feedback from tutors and peers. Resources will also be available via the e-learning portal, including
lecture slides and related supplementary materials, recommended readings and useful glossaries and governmental/organisational reports.
Discussion boards will support you to critically explore the key concepts as a group.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be expected to be able to critically
evaluate the systems approach in the
context of health behaviours and disease
progression
2. You will be expected to demonstrate a
critical understanding of how 'caseness' is
defined at macro through to micro levels
and how differences in definition relate to
health-care prioritisation, provision, and
uptake
3. You will be expected to demonstrate a
systematic understanding of how illness
representations are created and managed
at one system level and how these relate to
health care policy and practice
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities
1. You will be expected to be able to both
interpret and apply advanced
epidemiological research methods,
including associated statistical techniques,
which are relevant to the practice of a
Health Psychologist
Personal Value Attributes
1. You will be expected to be able to look
beyond traditional systems models of
health and illness and provide an
alternative viewpoint drawn from a variety of disciplines

How will I be assessed?

Summative assessment:
The module assessment will comprise one submission with two parts:

You will respond to a commissioning brief, from a Local Authority, and create a health promotion campaign that addresses one of their strategic priorities. Additionally, you will write an accompanying needs assessment and outcome analysis (1,000 words) to add clarity for the choices made in terms of the health promotion campaign and how the campaign fits within the current social-ecological model of health and disease.

Combined, the assessment assesses all the MLOs (KU1, KU2, KU5, IPSA4 and PVA2). As such, both parts must be completed to gain a mark.

Feedback will be given through in-script comments on the online submission, responses via the marking rubric and summary feedback addressing their assignment as a whole. Additionally, a summary of the average marks with more generic feedback drawn from the cohort will be distributed via the e-learning portal.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The aim of this module is to provide you with a thorough understanding of how differing health and illness states are defined, measured, and
prioritised at various systems levels (e.g. government bodies, the hospital, the GP surgery, family and peers) and how decisions made at
each level can impact on your health and wellbeing. Using examples from the research literature, government reports and from in-class
discussion and debate you will examine questions like: Why are the prevalence rates of HIV so different between the UK and China? Who
creates a health policy and why? Should marijuana be legalised for medical use? Are soap operas better than adverts for delivering health
messages? All topics will be taught using interactive lectures using contemporary research findings but rely on critical thinking and debate.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time
1 other options available

Department Psychology

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints