Health, living conditions and environment, 7.5 credits

Qualification as a nurse certified by the National Board of Health and Welfare

The general aim of the course is that the student should achieve competence to independently be able to carry out health promotion and preventive work in all ages in community health service. On completion of the course, the student should: - Be able to understand and apply the meaning of epidemiological concepts and be able to acquire and analyse epidemiological information and research findings. - Be able to describe and explain people's health from a life-cycle perspective and be able to reflect on various health problems, spreading, causes and consequences, nationally and internationally. - Be able to describe and interpret relationships between people's living conditions, environment and health, and explain the causal background of current health problems and their impact related to different ages, culture, gender and socio-economic conditions. - Be able to describe, critically review and evaluate, risk and health factors and vulnerable groups, and on the basis of theories of health, independently, be able to initiate, carry out and evaluate the district nurse's health promotion and preventive work at individual and group levels, and be able to participate in population-oriented health care. - Be able to apply and evaluate pedagogical theories and methods applicable to health care at individual and group levels, and reflect on his/her own ethical attitudes in relation to health care. - Be able to explain relationships between health-political control documents, and the organisation of health care related to the responsibility of the own profession, and how it affects the health of people.

In the course, focus is set on how social structure and local environment affect people's health and living conditions in the local community, and relevant strategies and methods for the health care work of the district nurse to promote, prevent and maintain the population's health within community health service. The use of current research findings is emphasised. - Epidemiological theories and methods - The living conditions, environment and health of people - Risk and health factors - vulnerable groups for different public health problems - Theories of health - Health educational theories and methods - Health policy

The course is conducted both as campus-based education (full-time) and distance education (half-speed). The campus education includes different pedagogical working methods such as lecture, seminars, work in groups, literature search and written assignments. A field study where inter alia a study visit, the collection of data, and report writing are included. The distance education is IT-based and is characterised by independent and collaborative learning. Different working methods such as individual study assignments, work in groups, virtual discussions and seminars and lectures are used. The number of physical hits is limited to at most 2 days/7.5 credits.

Examination of the course consists of an individual, written examination and oral examination. In seminars and scheduled group meetings, attendance is compulsory. In case of absence from compulsory parts, turn to the course director. Study assignments should be carried out for participation in an examination. A student without an approved result after three examinations can be offered to take the course once more. However, there are at most six examination opportunities for each course. Examination times are announced at the beginning of the course.

Course evaluation takes place in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Education.