Courses: MEDINTH International Health - Spring 2017

Credits

2.0

Level of Study

Bachelor

Language of Instruction

Norwegian

Teaching semester

6. year of study (autumn/spring)

Objectives and Content

The course focuses on poverty related health problems in low- and middle income countries. The course includes diagnostics and classification of diseases, patient treatment (including rehabilitation), prevention and health promotion care. Using examples of important health and demographic indicators in modern high income countries, the aim is to improve the understanding of the situation and the development in low income countries.

The course focuses on the interaction between development and health, and aims to give the students knowledge about how to improve the health situation in poorer countries by using modern technology, by e.g. vaccination, promotion of adequate nutrition, improving hygiene and improving utilization of existing health care services. The role of doctors in conflicts and catastrophes will also be outlined.

On the study day of the week a microscope demonstration of malaria slides and feces slides may be given to interested students. This part is not mandatory.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

After completing the course, the students should be able to:

explain important differences and similarities between rich and poor countries in relation to health and demographical development
describe major diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, and respiratory tract infections, as well as malnutrition, women¿s health, maternal-and-child challenges and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Describe health problems related to war and catastrophes

Skills

After completing the course, the students should be able to:

discuss how major diseases influence social development
understand how various measures can improve public health
discuss how doctors can prevent violence by primary, secondary and tertiary preventive measures.

General skills

After completing the course, the students should be able to:

maintain a global perspective in their medical practice
understand the consequences for public health of increasing globalization

Required Previous Knowledge

Students must have passed the first five years of the study

Access to the Course

Medical students at the University of Bergen

Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching

Lectures and group work

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Compulsory course. Mandatory attendance in lectures and group work. The group work should be approved by the course coordinator

Forms of Assessment

Plenary presentation of group work

Grading Scale

Pass/fail

Reading List

Lecture notes/handouts

Course Evaluation

Electronic evaluation on MySpace

Contact Information

Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health

e-mail: studie.cih @ uib.no

Course coordinator: Sven Gudmund Hinderaker