MPH Public Health

University of Wolverhampton

This module will provide you with in-depth knowledge and understanding of research methods and support you in acquiring the skills necessary to design and conduct a research study. You will develop a critical understanding of each stage of a research proposal, from building a research rationale to sampling, data collection and analysis. You will plan a research study that can be ethically, rigorously and feasibly carried out independently by you in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master's Dissertation. You will gain a critical, depth of knowledge of the methodologies and research methods you will need in order to write Chapter 3 which covers the Methodology and Methods section of your Master's Dissertation.

Health needs assessment is a systematic method for reviewing the health issues facing a population leading to agreed priorities and resource allocation that will improve health and reduce inequalities. It is a recommended public health tool to provide evidence about a population on which to plan services and address health inequalities. It provides an opportunity to engage with specific populations and enable them to contribute to targeted service planning and resource allocation and it provides an opportunity for cross-cultural partnership working and the development of creative and effective interventions. This module will enable you to critically assess and evaluate ways in which health and social needs are assessed. You will consider the theory and practice of health needs assessment and evaluation by critical examination of theoretical, conceptual and practical issues; some of the topics you will explore include Health Equity Audit, Health Economics and Health Informatics.

This module covers the essentials of health protection and health improvement, which are considered two of main domains of public health along with health surveillance, and management and leadership. Health protection aims to prevent and manage communicable disease outbreaks by enhancing resilience in coping with emergencies and disasters, which also includes environmental diseases and those arising from climate change. Health improvement initiatives aim to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals or communities through enabling and encouraging healthy choices as well as addressing underlying determinants of health. In this module you will be encouraged to explore the inter-relationship between the protection of public health and the improvement of public health through health promotion strategies. The module will critically review techniques and strategies that are implemented nationally and internationally to both protect and improve health, and enable you to reflect on your own experiences and examine your own interests in this field of study.

Epidemiology is defined as the art of defining and investigating the influence of factors on the health of populations. This module explores the importance of epidemiology in public health by examining contemporary public health and epidemiological priorities which are explored from a global and life course perspective. You will also explore the role of statistics and its practical use in epidemiology and public health, through an understanding of essential topics such as study design, data analysis and statistical methods used in the execution of health research. Teaching on epidemiological methodologies and statistical techniques interfaces with and supports the research methods and dissertation modules, preparing you for work in a range of public health arenas.

In this module you will design, conduct and evaluate an original research study within the field of Public Health or Health & Social Care. You will carry out a research investigation on a topic area within the field of your choosing, and you will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of relevant theoretical frameworks, research methodologies and applications for your chosen discipline. This module is the independent study element of your Masters Degree. The module is designed to be studied after or in conjunction with a research skills module where your research proposal is planned and assessed.

This module will introduce you to the sociological perspectives needed to understand current health issues. It will also aim to develop your critical understanding of current health policy, and influences on policy and the policy-making process. Through an examination of key concepts in the social determinants of health, how policy can help to tackle health inequalities and the ethics and policymaking process, this module will develop your evaluative skills necessary to critically understand sociological perspectives and interrogate policies. In doing so this module will prepare you for public health and health & social care practice where you will be required to improve population health and well-being and reduce health inequalities.

The diverse and rapidly changing political, technological, economic and socio-cultural shifts over the last two decades and the outbreaks of infectious diseases have placed a tremendous impact on healthcare delivery systems and public health. What is the role of leadership in addressing the gaps and mitigating these changes and challenges across healthcare and public health settings? What aspects of leadership theory and models might apply to help us effectively lead and manage the healthcare delivery system change and reform? What lessons can we learn to improve the delivery of healthcare and public health in a complex and diverse setting? This module introduces you to the principles, recent theories and approaches required to be an effective leader and manager within public health, and health and social care environments. With a range of learning opportunities and group work, you will deepen your understanding and appreciation of key theories and the research evidence on leadership practice and its application at a personal, organisational and inter-organisational level.