Courses

This course will provide an introduction to the primary disciplines of public health including: health policy and management, social and behavioral health, epidemiology, biostatistics and environmental health. Through lecture, case studies and practical projects, students will gain an understanding of the importance and practical application of public health knowledge and how it applies to clinical decision making and strategy. As the basis of population health interventions, public health principles provide a fundamental basis for data informed decision making and the scientific framework for understanding health. Using contemporary examples, students will have the opportunity to better understand and integrate public health principles into their practice regardless of their chosen discipline.

Course Director: Paul K. Halverson, DrPH, MHSA
Email: pkhalver@iu.edu
Phone: 317-274-4242
Primary contact for Adds/Drops: Paul K. Halverson, DrPH, MHSA
Home campus: Indianapolis
Type of course: Online

Learning objectives:
By the end of this course, a student will be able to:

1. demonstrate basic knowledge of principles of epidemiology (MK5).
2. describe the epidemiology of common diseases affecting populations, including methods for prevention and early detection of disease and systematic, population-based approaches for reducing the incidence and prevalence of disease (MK6).
3. explain the impact of the variables of psychosocial, socioeconomic, environmental, lifestyle and lifecycle stage on a patient’s health, disease, care-seeking and care-compliance, barriers to care, and attitudes toward care (MK7).
   4. incorporate health promotion and patient education on the basis of the patient’s or population’s needs (PC4).

Course activities:
This course is taught as an online course with an applied project completed individually or in a small group depending on calendar and logistical constraints.

Estimated time distribution: 100% online.

Students should be prepared to spend the following estimated time:

• 27 hours online modules
• 8 hours reading
• 8 hours reflection papers, quizzes, final exam
• 4-8 hours applied project

Assessments:
Assessments will include participation (20%); case studies (20%); a final exam (20%) and an applied project (40%). Faculty will use the Professional Development Evaluation Form

Prerequisites: None
Interprofessional collaboration: No

This course will focus on the principles related to the health status of population groups and the evidence-informed strategies that are available to impact health status change. As the incentives for healthcare finance evolve from a fee for service orientation to one focused on keeping patients healthy, effective strategies that concentrate on improving health and preventing disease will become increasingly important. Understanding the differences in health status between population groups and disparities in health create opportunities to develop community prevention strategies that leverage our understanding of the social determinants of health with cost effective implementation of strategies that positively impact health. Emphasis in the course will be on the engagement of clinicians in the understanding and implementation of population health strategies implemented at the practice and community level.

Course Director: Nir Menachemi, PhD
Email: nirmena@iu.edu
Phone: 317-274-0388
Primary contact for Adds/Drops: Nir Menachemi, PhD
Home campus: Indianapolis
Type of course: Online

Learning objectives:
By the end of this course, a student will be able to:

1. explain the history and structure of the public health system in the U.S. (SBP2, MK7)
2. identify clinical preventive interventions and services (SBP2, PC4)
3. evaluate the impact of a patient’s social context in health and disease and how factors, such as culture, socio-economic status, environment, religion, spirituality, sexuality, education and health literacy impact patient-physician interactions, health care decision-making and health outcomes (SBP2)
4. explain fundamental features of health care policy (including funding, legal and regulatory issues) both locally and nationally, the importance of physician advocacy in shaping healthcare policy, and the potential impact of policy changes on patients, underserved populations and health care providers (SBP3)

Course activities:
The course will be delivered as an online course with participation in assigned course assignments completed online and in the completion of a class project and report completed individually or in small groups as schedules permit.

Estimated time distribution: 100% online

Assessments: Assessments will include participation 20%; case studies 20%; final exam 20% and project 40%. Faculty will use the Professional Development Evaluation Form

Prerequisites: Scholarly Concentration enrollment
Interprofessional collaboration: No