module specification

This module aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the principles of health promotion, public health and wellbeing within the context of adult and mental health nursing practice. Students will learn the principles of health promotion and wellbeing, and how to prevent ill-health through contemporary evidence-based approaches to behaviour change that enable people to use their strengths to enhance their overall health and mental resilience. 
The module will examine the factors influencing both physical and mental health and wellbeing, including inequality, environment, long term health conditions, culture and behaviour. Special attention will be given to mental health promotion, focusing on early intervention, stigma reduction, resilience-building, and social inclusion in diverse populations.

As part of the assessment criteria students are provided with an opportunity to select a health promotion initiative of their choice to explore and evaluate academically. A health promotion initiative from nursing practice will be explored and analysed in-depth and from any setting.  Mental, physical and behavioural concepts and perspectives will be examined. This will help to identify ways to support individuals with the management of their physical and mental health in line with national and local policies and guidance that reflect the current public health agenda.

The subject chosen by the student and its related learning will help the student to prepare and become a registered nurse who can initiate a holistic plan/initiative/intervention to help improve the health and well-being from different theoretical perspectives. This will be completed where the patient/individual, family, and/or the wider community/population are at the centre of the exploration and analysis.

Module content

By the end of the module, the student will be able to:
• Identify the role of the nurse in promoting holistic health and wellbeing across the lifespan in different health communities, including mental health and in relation to parity of esteem.
• Examine the interaction of health, and other environmental factors (diversity, inequalities, socio-economic, genetic and political influences) in health and disease.
• Explore behaviours and lifestyle factors which impact health and wellbeing.
• Demonstrate the use of available data sources in the development and evaluation of health promotion and public health including epidemiological data, demography and results of population studies.
• Begin to develop the principles and application of health promotion in the context of own professional practice in any setting and in relation to the NMC (2018) Future Nurse: Proficiencies and Standards.
• Be aware of public health policy nationally in surveillance/screening and communicable disease, vaccines/immunisation and to examine the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy.
• Identify the main approaches that can be used in implementing health promotion at individual, community, and policy development levels.
• Examine behaviour change models/concepts and skills that enable individuals to make informed health related decisions at different stages of life.
• Develop an understanding influencing public health policy -and in the wider context including ethical and political concerns.
• Explore contemporary approaches to support individuals with the management of their physical and mental health in line with national and local policies and guidance that reflect the current public health agenda

Acquisition of knowledge of the subject matter of this module will be promoted through lecturer-led plenaries. There will be blended workshop activities in small groups integrated into the module lecturers. These will focus on advancing student literacy and academic skills including the development of criticality in essay writing and health promotion. This will help with preparation of assessments and will be used to consolidate their knowledge through directed/referenced and independent learning.

On completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Holistically assess and evaluate the core roles of a nurse in promoting health and wellbeing across the lifespan considering diversity, beliefs, culture and values, in relation to the personal choice of the individual.

2. Describe the impact of life choices on mental, physical, and behavioural health and well-being in the context of people’s individual circumstances.

3. Identify and apply key concepts, models and theories in relation to health promotion and wellbeing in key areas of public health policy at group, community, and population levels.

4. Recognise and investigate the direct and wider determinants of health; and in relations to inequalities in health from local communities and the wider population to develop the ability to work sensitively and inclusively.

Available at:

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/6650294D-56BD-546F-41E4-D431EC7E592E.html?lang=en