Faculty of Health, Sport and Science

University of Glamorgan

Postgraduate Certificate (Healthcare)Postgraduate Diploma (Healthcare)

MSc Disaster Healthcare

In partnership with Hamk University of Applied Sciences

www.glam.ac.uk/hesas

HAMKUNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

Call: 0800 716 925 Visit: www.glam.ac.uk

Information in this brochure is correct at time of print, but may be subject tochange. For the most up-to-date information, call or check our website.

Postgraduate CertificatePostgraduate Diploma MSc Disaster Healthcare

FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT AND SCIENCE

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FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT AND SCIENCE

The course aims to prepare healthcare professionalsfor leadership roles in disaster situations worldwide.

The course provides opportunities for students toprogress towards the award of Master of Science(MSc) or the option of exiting at the end of YearOne, with a Postgraduate Certificate or at the end ofYear Two with a Postgraduate Diploma. The award isa University of Glamorgan MSc delivered incollaboration with Häme Polytechnic, Finland. Thefull MSc course is a three-year part-time,postgraduate e-learning course.

It is a multi-national and multi-professional coursestudied simultaneously by students in differentcountries through e-learning. This arrangementpresents the challenge of working with studentsfrom other cultures and other disciplines. It providesthe necessary foundation for working in disasterrelief healthcare.

Course aims Description

Entry requirementsDecisions about admission are made based on theapplication form, references and sometimes aninterview (this may be face-to-face or by telephone).

Factors taken into account in the selection processinclude academic ability, previous study of healthcaresubjects and reasons for wishing to undertake theprogramme.

Selection criteria is summarised as follows:

• Normally a relevant Healthcare Professional Qualification

• A first Degree with Honours or the equivalentinternational qualification

• A minimum of two years post-registration experience (candidates with less than two years experience will be considered on a case by case basis)

• International English Language Test Score (IELTS) of 6.0 for non-English speakers

• Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) will apply

Basic knowledge of research is important for thiscourse. Those who have not completed a researchmodule in previous courses of study or have theaccredited experiential learning, may be required tostudy an online Introduction to Research course atthe University of Glamorgan. Details of this can beobtained from the course Director.

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I am currently the medical–program coordinator inthe Emergency Surgical Centre in Battambang,Cambodia. This is a good course to get in contactwith people with a similar way of thinking and toshare previous experiences from missions abroad.The theoretical part of this course was veryinteresting and the practical training gave good tipson surviving in the disaster areas for those with noexperience from disasters. The teaching staff werevery supportive and everything was well plannedfor the theoretical lectures.Merja Heitto (Tasanen)MSc Disaster Relief NursingGraduated 2003

Graduate profile

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FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT AND SCIENCE

Disaster simulation/ survival trainingSimulations of the types of chaotic situationsencountered during disasters will be arranged duringthe final week of the Summer School.

These simulated events provide opportunities forstudents to develop skills in assessment, planning anddecision-making. Other key skills that will bedeveloped include the ability to work in teams,creativity, adaptability, flexibility and problem solvingskills. The focus will be on safety and survival and theability to achieve objectives in a team environment.All simulations will provide opportunity for personalreflection and the development of competenciesrequired to function in the disaster situation.

Please note that students are expected to purchasewaterproof hill walking boots, warm but lightwaterproof outdoor clothing for use during thesurvival and disaster simulation exercises. It’simportant that you assess the type of climate thatyou will be living and working in, as you will beoutdoors for long periods. Preliminary skills in mapreading and compass use are desirable. A reasonablelevel of physical fitness is required.

Course structure

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Year One

Year Two

YearThree

Exit withPostgraduate

CertificateGraduation at Summer

School

Exit withPostgraduate

DiplomaGraduation at Summer

School

Exit withMaster

of ScienceGraduation at Summer

School

Protecting Public Health in Disasters

(20 credits)

Promoting Public Health(20 credits)

Personal Preparation for Disasters(20 credits)

Principles and Concepts in Disasters(20 credits)

Professional Development for Disaster(20 credits)

Evidence Based Practice in Disasters(20 credits)

Professional Practice in Disasters(20 credits)

Researching and Evaluating Disasters(40 credits)

SummerSchool14 daysexercise

every yearwith

academicand

simulationphases

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FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT AND SCIENCE

The Course aims to prepare healthcareprofessionals for leadership roles in disastersituations worldwide“ ”

Educational aims of the programmePostgraduate Certificate:

• Develop core competency in survival skillsacknowledging the cultural sensitivities and historical perspectives that may impinge on, and potentially restrict, some activities.

• Conduct an in-depth analysis of the public health risks contingent including, difficulties in nutrition requirements, water supply and waste disposal that occur during disasters.

• Develop the knowledge and principles required to manage, facilitate and co-ordinate prompt and effective disaster management within a multi- professional and multicultural team, to meet the needs of survivors.

Postgraduate Diploma:

• Demonstrate competence in the operational management of mass casualties in a disastersituation.

• Develop advanced knowledge and skills in harnessing local and personal resources to meet the immediate and long-term mental health needs of survivors, and participate in the provision of support networks for personnel.

• Demonstrate analytical skills in a variety of researchmethodologies, and their application to the disaster setting.

MSc:

• Using a selected research methodology, critically analyse a component of disaster response applicable to individual practice.

• Inform and enhance the knowledge base for healthcare in disaster settings.

Teaching and learning methodsAs mature experienced professionals, students cometo this course with a wide variety of personal andprofessional experiences and backgrounds. Teachingand learning methods in this programme aim toachieve a balance between the need to enhancestudent knowledge, attitudes, values and skills, whilerecognising that the students are able to contributesignificantly to their own learning and that of theirpeers.

The central educational philosophy that theprogramme embraces, is the pre-eminence ofteaching and learning strategies that are student-centred, self-directed and peer-sharing. Students willbe expected to take full responsibility for theirlearning.

Teaching is based on adult learning principles thatrecognise the fundamental importance of buildingon skills and knowledge students have gained inprevious clinical experience and learning.

E-learningStudents will require e-learning materials to mediatethe teaching and learning activities of this course, asthere will be times when teachers and students willbe physically separate from each other.

Each module of study will contain a substantialdistance-learning element that will take the form ofa study guide. The study guide for each module willbe presented on the e-learning platform via theinternet.

The guide will introduce students to a variety ofresource materials on the internet and in theliterature, which supports the meeting of specificlearning outcomes. Online discussions and seminarswill form a major part of the e-learningenvironment.

Full participation in these activities is essential forsuccess on the course and personal development.

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FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT AND SCIENCE

I chose this course as it encompassed both myinterest in nursing and also my degree in Social(Human) Geography. My experience at Glamorganwas good. I also had the opportunity to go toIreland and Finland to learn. I loved this course.Judith BarnesMSc Disaster Relief NursingGraduated 2004

Graduate profile

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FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT AND SCIENCE

Year OneYear One has three modules: providing students withthe core concepts related to disaster relief:

Principles and Concepts in Disasters concentrateson the analysis of case examples of disasters andintroduces frameworks for analysis.

Protecting Public Health in Disasters is aimed atdeveloping knowledge and skills related to publichealth and nutrition needs of individuals, groups andfamilies in disaster situations.

Management and Leadership of Disasters isdivided into two modules, Personal Preparationfor Disasters and Professional Development forDisaster. The first focuses on communication,teamwork and personal safety. The second moduleintroduces students to leadership theories related todisasters. Both these modules are strongly associatedwith the Disaster Simulation Exercises and thedifferent roles that students will be assigned.

Year TwoAt the beginning of Year Two, students will study:

Promoting Public Health. To increase and deepenthe knowledge of approaches to public health indisasters. To develop the understanding of therelationship between environmental health, mentalhealth, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing,epidemiology and the nutritional health ofindividuals, families and communities affected bydisasters.

Evidence Based Practice in Disasters provides theopportunity to revisit key research concepts andassists with the development of a research proposalfor use in the field.

Course content

Year ThreeThis year of study is concerned with theResearching and Evaluating Disasters andProfessional Practice in Disasters.

Professional Practice in Disasters is an empiricalstudy related to disasters and requires students toprepare an academic paper as if for publication in arefereed journal or book. The findings of theresearch study will be presented at a Disaster ReliefSymposium, which is held every year as part of theSummer School.

Researching and Evaluating Disasters iscompleted in Year Three. Students are usuallyexpected to spend up to 12 weeks working as amember of an international disaster team, in one ofthe world’s disaster zones. While on placement,students who do not have previous field experiencewill work under the supervision of an experiencedhealthcare professional from an Aid Agency.Everyone is expected to compile a posterpresentation of their experience for viewing at theannual symposium.