BFY221 Introduction to Norwegian culture, health and education system

Contents and structure

In order to understand how physiotherapists work with occupational health and lifestyle-related health problems, exchange students need an introduction to Norwegian culture, health system and education system. Students will reflect on and discuss the dynamic relationship between professional practice and different context in which they work. Students will compare physiotherapy in Norway with physiotherapy in their home country.

The course will cover the following topics:

• Norwegian culture
• Norwegian health and education system, in general and especially for physiotherapy
• Norwegian physiotherapy traditions
• The dynamic relation between professional practice and its context
• Evidence-based practice

Learning Outcome

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:
The student...

• has basic insight into Norwegian culture, health system and education system
• has basic insight into how physiotherapist work in Norway
• has basic knowledge about evidence-based practice

Skills:
The student...

• can reflect on how different professional contexts influence professional practice
• can apply some Norwegian physiotherapy methods; Sling exercise training (SET), Medical exercise training (MET), Basic body awareness theory (BBAT) and physiotherapy for children and youths with different handicaps

General competence:
The student...

• has insight into the Norwegian context of physiotherapy in general
• can exchange views and experiences about differences between the health and education systems in Norway and the home country

Entry requirements

Internasjonal students admitted to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)

Teaching methods

• Lectures
• Skill-training
• Student-active learning

Compulsory learning activities

Accomplished compulsory assignments:

1. Hand in of preliminary individual report

2. Oral presentation in class of the preliminary report

Assessment

Written report about health and education systems in the students home country 1500 words

Grading scale The grading scale used is Passed / Not passed

New exam In case of failure, a revised version of the report is handed in for the new exam.