International Health Intercalated BSc, Bristol

April 3, 2009 by admin

Course Details: 

With increasing globalisation, the practice of medicine in the UK requires an awareness of international health issues, of different disease pathologies and different cultural responses to disease. Many doctors spend part of their training abroad, and international collaboration is a pre-requisite of the highest quality medical research. In response to GMC encouragement to improve the undergraduate teaching of International Health, we have developed a one-year intercalated International Health BSc for medical students.

This course follows similar lines to the successful courses already established in Leeds and UCL but will be tailored to reflect the particular extensive international expertise already present in Bristol University. Bristol students have been involved at every stage of the course development (the original proposal was an SSC project!) and the course has been developed specifically for intercalators.

First Semester
Global Burden of Disease
Health Policy in an international context
Inequalities in health, poverty and development

Second Semester
Conflict, migration and human rights
Maternal and Child Health
Dissertation

Summer Term
Project report

Unit 1: Health and the Global Burden of Disease
This unit will examine the current patterns of health and illness in different parts of the world. It will highlight continuing inequalities in morbidity and mortality and explore their links with wider economic and social processes. Structural determinants of health will be reviewed through the use of case studies including HIV/AIDS, mental health, pharmaceuticals and tobacco

Unit 2: Health Policy in an international context
This module focuses on health policy in an international context. The unit explores differences between countries in reasonability for health care including finance and delivery. There will be an emphasis on the ways in which health and health care systems in different countries have been shaped by the processes of internationalisation and global restructuring. The unit will conclude with an examination of the policy options for reducing inequalities in global health

Unit 3: Inequalities in health, poverty and development
This module focuses on the links between poverty, health and development. Students will examine and critically analyse the indicators of social and economic policy (such as GNP and HDI) and the affects of policy on health. After an introduction to definitions of poverty, the causes, and ways of tackling poverty will be explored with particular reference to measures shown to improve life expectancy. The unit will conclude by looking at inequalities in health experience relating to gender, disability, class, and ethnicity.

Unit 4: Maternal and Child Health
In many low-income countries children represent 50% of the population. Child health is intricately bound with maternal health. This unit will explore global inequalities in child and maternal health and look at initiatives to try to redress the balance. Conditions and diseases of global importance affecting child and maternal health such as malaria, HIV, and malnutrition will be considered in more detail and childhood accidents and disability will be looked at from an international perspective. 

Unit 5: Conflict, Migration and Health
This unit aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of:
- Global patterns of migration and conflict
- The impact of migration on the health of individuals and groups
- The health implications of conflict, violence and natural disasters
- Legal and human rights dimensions of migration and violence

Entry Requirements
Course commencing October 2007 for intercalating medical students in their 3rd, 4th or 5th year.

Applications should be sent to:
There will be a maximum of 24 places on the 2008-09 and 2009-10 courses. External students are also invited to apply. Potential applicants will be asked to complete a form detailing relevant experience/interest, as well as academic performance.

Send applications to:
Dr Matthew Ellis
International Health BSc
University of Bristol
Centre for Child & Adolescent Health
Hampton House
Cotham Hill
Bristol BS6 6JS

Contacts:
Dr Matthew Ellis, Programme Director
Mrs Sally Sterland, Programme Administrator

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