KASI500 Innovative Solutions: Global Approaches to Sustainable Workforces in Health and Social Services

Contents and structure

This course aims to strengthen students' ability to develop knowledge-based and innovative solutions to global challenges in health and social services with particular emphasis on sustainability, equitable access to services, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strategic thinking in response to the shortage of healthcare personnel.

Course Content and Structure

This course addresses global challenges and opportunities related to sustainability and workforce shortages in health and social services. Students gain insight into how various approaches such as; strategic thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation, can be applied to develop more sustainable and future-oriented solutions to complex societal challenges. Through a comparative international perspective, students explore how political, economic, and social factors influence the development of health and social services, and how different stakeholders can collaborate to promote evidence-based practice and service development. The course emphasizes active participation and critical reflection, aiming to strengthen students' ability to analyse, develop, and propose implementable solutions that promote sustainability, quality, and equitable access to services, particularly in response to global workforce challenges.

Integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

This course is grounded in the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

- SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

- SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

- SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development, emphasizing collaboration across sectors and borders.

Learning Outcome

A student who has completed the course will have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of Knowledge, Skills, and General Competence.

Knowledge:

The student...

• has advanced and research-based knowledge of global and national challenges and opportunities related to sustainability, service quality, and workforce shortages in health and social services
• has in-depth knowledge of frameworks and models for sustainability, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration in health and social services
• can analyse how political, economic, social, and cultural factors influence strategic development and service quality in health and social services, particularly in relation to sustainability challenges and workforce shortages

Skills:

The student...

• can apply research-based knowledge and relevant methods to explore and critically discuss complex challenges in health and social services.
• can develop evidence-informed proposals for service improvement, adapted to different target groups and contexts
• can collaborate effectively in strategic improvement processes within interdisciplinary and international teams

General Competence:

The student...

• can reflect critically on professional, ethical, societal, and cultural issues, including user involvement and rights, with particular emphasis on the consequences of sustainability challenges and workforce shortages
• can communicate professional analyses and proposals for service improvement clearly and purposefully to different stakeholders, focusing on solutions that promote sustainability and address resource constraints
• can contribute to sustainable development and innovation in health and social services by analysing challenges and developing strategic proposals based on interdisciplinary collaboration and relevant Sustainable Development Goals, to address global challenges and workforce shortages

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements:

Student at the partner institution UNC which the Master in Collaboration and Public Health or Advanced Nursing Practice at HVL has an agreement with.

Minimum English language proficiency at level B2, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

The course combines on-campus and online learning, with sessions spread over four weeks on campus, along with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activities conducted before and after the physical sessions.

Learning methods include lectures, discussions, self-study, excursions, group work, presentations, and individual written assignments.

Compulsory learning activities

The following compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to take the exam:

1. Project idea and summary (1-2 pages), developed in groups and including peer feedback.

2. Completion of group work and presentation in plenary.

3. Presentation of a project idea at a student conference, either as a poster or oral presentation.

4. Students are required to attend and actively participate in a minimum of 80% of the student-centered learning activities. The scope and scheduling of these activities are specified in the course timetable.

Assessment

Semester’s thesis

Individual reflection paper (3000 words ±10%), demonstrating critical analysis and integration of course themes.

Grading scale:

The grading scale used is passed / fail.

Examination support material

All aids allowed.

More about examination support material