Examination arrangement

Course content

The course provides an introduction to clinical health science and focuses specifically on clinical research and clinical issues in large and vulnerable patient groups. The course provides an introduction to the challenges and importance of research within these patient populations, and touches on topics such as incidence, risk factors, prognostic factors and comorbidity in obesity, pain / fatigue and palliation. The organization of health care is analyzed with a focus on prevention and treatment / follow-up with a view to creating good and predictable patient outcomes. The subject emphasizes the importance of prevention and good communication; both communication with patients and relatives, but also with other health professionals, NAV and other stakeholders. The course also thematizes the importance of coping-oriented practice as an approach for patients who can take advantage of improved strategies for coping with long-standing ailments and stressful life situations. Coping in this context has a psychological approach, but also includes themes such as lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity and facilitation. Contact and care of relatives, and the experience of stigma that can often be associated with obesity, pain, fatigue and palliation are discussed.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the candidate should:

• be able to explain challenges with the recruitment of vulnerable patients to clinical studies and understand why it is crucial that these groups are represented in studies
• be able to discuss ethical challenges and dilemmas related to clinical issues and clinical research on large and vulnerable groups of patients with obesity, pain, fatigue and palliation
• understand and discuss methodological challenges related to clinical research on vulnerable patient groups
• have a broad overview of prevalence, risk factors, prognostic factors and comorbidity in obesity, pain, fatigue and palliation
• have a broad overview of mapping and assessment needs for obesity, pain, fatigue and palliation
• understand the importance and opportunities for prevention of health challenges such as obesity, pain and fatigue, and know the role of own and other professions in a multidisciplinary approach to relevant patient groups
• be able to explain various lifestyle factors and their importance in the prevention and treatment of health challenges such as obesity, pain and fatigue
• have knowledge of the importance of communication in contact with patients, relatives, other health professionals and other supporters
• have knowledge of the importance of working with coping and coping strategies for patients with obesity, pain, fatigue and palliative phase patients

Skills:

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

• explain challenges and ethical dilemmas and apply this knowledge when planning clinical research to groups of patients with obesity, pain, fatigue and palliative phase patients
• apply knowledge of methodological challenges in planning clinical research projects
• explain the incidence, risk factors, prognostic factors and multimorbidity of obesity, pain, fatigue and palliation
• explain how community-level drivers can cause and maintain symptoms of obesity and pain / fatigue
• discuss the importance of multidisciplinary assessment, interaction and good communication in research and clinical work with patients with complex issues
• Understand the resources and challenges of relatives in different phases of a disease course and apply this understanding to the good care of relatives in clinical work and research.

General competence:

After completing the course, the candidate can:

• reflect and discuss challenges related to clinical research on vulnerable groups
• discuss various forms of organizing health care for patients with obesity, pain, fatigue and palliation through a patient course / life cycle.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and compulsory written assignment. All lectures will be given during a few weeks. In case of postponed examination, re-sit exam or few registered candidates, the assessment form could be subject to change. Compulsory activity: Written assignment, individual or in small Groups (max 3 persons in a Group).

Compulsory assignments

• Assignment

Further on evaluation

For re-sit exams the off campus exam must be done again.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

The course is primarily intended for students admitted to the master's programme in Clinical Health Science (ntnu.no/studier/mklihel). Other students may be accepted after an individual evaluation.

Course materials

Course materials will be announced at the start of the semester.