Learning Outcomes of the SCPHN Programme &

How they Link to Practice

Aims• To highlight the learning

objectives of the programme

• To identify how they link with the practice experience

• To ensure the opportunities are available in the practice learning environment to enable student progression

SCPHN Course ObjectivesFor successful completion of the

Specialist Community Public Health practice the student will need to have demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes and practice competencies in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the course thus reflecting the standards of proficiency for Specialist Community

Public Health Nurses (NMC 2004).

Knowledge Understanding and Cognitive Skills

Demonstrate enquiring, reflective, critical and innovative approaches to public health practice, improvement and leadership in a range of contexts.

Critically analyse the impact of public health policy and practice on a population’s health and well-being.

Debate ethical, moral and legal issues and frameworks relevant to a range of public health issues and dilemmas faced by practitioners.

Engage and collaborate with colleagues to discuss and debate a variety of public health perspectives.

Appreciate the importance of effective implementation and critical analysis of public health strategies and improvement across a range of practice settings and diverse populations.

Subject Specific Skills Appraise ways in which public health and social

policies impact upon the health and wellbeing of populations.

Demonstrate critical awareness of the social, political and economic factors which influence service users experience of health care.

Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the key concepts and theories upon which their practice is predicated.

Analyse the concepts of equity and discrimination within the context of public health and its determinants.

Utilise strategies, which will assist with the integration of public health and specialist community public health nursing approaches in complex, ambiguous and unpredictable practice settings.

Subject Specific Skills Cont’d Appreciate and demonstrate effective understanding

and analysis of public health/specialist community public health nursing approaches, strategies and provision.

Implement a range of public health/specialist community public health nursing strategies and activities across a range of practice settings and evaluate their impact and effectiveness.

Appreciate a wide range of methodological approaches to achieving evidence based public health and research.

Analyse relevant theories and strategies for achieving effective partnership and collaborative working with clients, communities and partner organisations.

Self evaluate and reflect upon their own identified field of professional practice.

Key General Skills Utilise and demonstrate problem-solving skills in a variety

of theoretical and practical settings.

Demonstrate an ability to engage effectively in partnership working with clients, families, communities and stakeholders.

Analyse, apply and interpret the evidence underpinning their practice, and initiate appropriate and useful change in practice.

Deploy an ability to engage in complex arguments with a group in a competent and appropriate manner.

Demonstrate self-reflectivity and an awareness of the need for continuing professional development.

Maximise individual potential by acting as a role model and developing the public health potential of others, including consumers.

Formulate strategies to manage their own lifelong learning and the practice of others.

Reflective Practice Practice focused learning is a central tenet of

this programme. Therefore, the course has been designed to enable the student to apply and link the theoretical constructs to the practice environment and develop the skills of analysis and critical reflection.

A partnership approach between academics, practitioners, practice teachers, mentors and users is a valued and important feature of this programme. The nature and effectiveness of communication and contact between the student, the lecturers and the practice teachers/mentors is paramount to the course.

Programme structure and contentModule Title Credit value

• Theory and Practice of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing 20

• Contemporary Perspectives in Health Promotion and Public Health 20

• Application of theory to practice in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing 40

• Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing (V100) pass/fail

• Research & Evidence Based Practice 20

• Leadership in Health & social Care 20

• Practice element (50%) pass/fail

Theory and Practice Module - Learning Outcomes Critically analyse the role and practice of the health visitor

in the changing public health context.

Demonstrate a comprehensive working knowledge of child development and factors associated with family and child health.

Understand and apply effective strategies for supporting and promoting effective parenting and parental/child attachment.

Be able to critically analyse the mechanisms and skills for working effectively in partnership with other practitioners and agencies to improve health and wellbeing.

Develop therapeutic relationships and provide psychological support for individuals and groups.

Demonstrate and identify action to protect individuals, families and populations whose health and wellbeing may be at risk.

2 hour exam

Contemporary Perspectives in Health Promotion and Public Health Module – Learning Outcomes Analyse critically, core concepts, theories, principles and

values that are relevant to health promotion and public health practice.

Evaluate a range of contemporary health promotion/public health data, evidence and strategies, drawing conclusions about their appropriateness, in relation to the work context.

Analyse critically, the links between risks to health, risk behaviour, inequalities in health and the implications for health, wellbeing and health promotion/public health practice.

Apply core principles and evidence base in developing and implementing strategies and initiatives for promoting health within the work context and review their effectiveness.

Evaluate the contribution of collaboration, partnership and community engagement to the health improvement agenda.

Assessment – 4,000 word essay

Application of Theory and Practice Module – Learning Outcomes

Critically appraise and undertake the role and practice of the health visitor in the changing public health context, by interpreting and effectively applying knowledge and theories to the practice setting.

Demonstrate a comprehensive and effective working knowledge of child development and factors associated with family and child health.

Create and influence potential developments in policy and practice in order to enhance Specialist Community Public Health Nursing.

Analyse and carry out effective strategies for supporting and promoting effective parenting and parental/child attachment.

Critically understand and influence the mechanisms and skills for working effectively in partnership with other practitioners and agencies to improve health and wellbeing.

Application of Theory and Practice Module – Learning Outcomes Cont’d Develop therapeutic relationships and provide

psychological support for individuals and groups.

Critically appraise the legal and ethical determinants that impact on practice and practice development, incorporating the assessment and management of risk.

Demonstrate and undertake action to protect individuals, families and populations whose health and wellbeing may be at risk.

Critically analyse and illustrate ways of managing and organising the health visiting caseload.

Debate and engage in the professional requirements and boundaries of health visiting.

Assessment – 8,000 word essay (2 elements)

Research and Evidence Based Practice Module – Learning Outcomes Identify the origins and key components of evidence-based practice

Examine the research process

Explore the philosophical underpinnings of research in both the positivistic and naturalistic paradigms

Identify issues as a result of critical examination of practice and frame appropriate questions to initiate a search in order to find possible answers based on the best evidence available

Initiate a search strategy using the Internet and other electronic and non-electronic sources of information to locate appropriate sources of evidence

Appreciate the concept of meta-analysis and its role in the development of systematic reviews

Critically appraise evidence generated from randomized controlled trials, naturalistic research, systematic reviews and practice guidelines/frameworks/protocols

Explore a number of methods employed by researchers to analyse data generated from both the positivistic and naturalistic paradigms.

Assessment – 4,000 word essay

Leadership Module – Learning Outcomes Critically analyse and evaluate the role of healthcare

leaders and managers in service development and innovation in a changing policy context.

Critically evaluate different approaches to service development and innovation and assess their relevance and usefulness in a variety of organisational contexts.

Evaluate the methods of promoting and implementing evidence-based decision making in transforming services.

Evaluate the communication and inter-personal skills required to achieve service development, change and innovation within a health and social care environment.

Assessment – 4,000 word essay

Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing V100 Module – Learning Outcomes Assess and consult with patient/clients, clients, parents and carers

Undertake a thorough history, including medication history and current medication (including over-the-counter, alternative and complementary health therapies) to inform diagnosis

Understand and apply the relevant legislation to the practice of nurse/midwife prescribing

Critically appraise, use sources of information/advice and decision support systems in prescribing practice

Understand the influences that can affect prescribing practice, and demonstrate your understanding by managing your prescribing practice in an ethical way

Understand and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice

Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and relationships of others involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines

Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively

Practise within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility.

Assessment - Exam