Title:	Corso di Perfezionamento in Salute Globale / TropEd Core Course in Global Health
Country:	Italy
Institution:	Italy - Clinica di Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Università degli Studi di Brescia
Course coordinator:	Prof. Alberto Matteelli
Date start:	2023-02-13
Date end:	2023-05-23
About duration and dates:	Course duration: 14 weeks Application deadline: 2022-12-15 Final due date for post-course assignment: within two weeks after the last scheduled course day.
Classification:	core course
Mode of delivery:	Face to face
Course location: Edificio di Medicina e Chirurgia Università degli Studi di Brescia V.le Europa, 11 25123 Brescia Italy
ECTS credit points:	20 ECTS credits
SIT: A total of 600 SIT divided in 302 hours of face-to face learning and 298 hours of self-study hours.
Language:	Italian English
Description: By the end of the core course, students should be able to: - Identify and critically analyse determinants of health and health-related concerns - Collect and discuss the appropriate qualitative and quantitative data relevant to health - Apply research methodologies to address health needs, especially in resources limited settings and for vulnerable populations - Recognise the main health concerns and design appropriate health strategies to address them - Actively collaborate and work in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural setting Specific Objectives/ By the end of the core course, students should be able to: 1. Introduction and orientation LO 1.1 Demonstrate a clear understanding of the role and impact of globalization on health and recognize its major determinants. 2. Public policies for global health LO 2.1 Demonstrate a clear understanding of public health principles. LO 2.2 Recognize the role of different stakeholders in global health. LO 2.3 Discuss about basic principles of health economics and financing. LO 2.4 Assess different health systems. LO 2.5 Report and debate about global health policies. 3. Basic epidemiology and research methods LO 3.1 Appraise and design different epidemiological studies. LO 3.2 Critically discuss and analyse statistical results derived from selected research questions. LO 3.3 Report qualitative and quantitative research findings and illustrate them to different counterparts using effective methods of presentation. 4. International cooperation and migration health LO 4.1 Appraise population dynamics and basic concepts of migration health. LO4.2 Debate regarding stakeholders’ roles in international cooperation. LO 4.3 Describe and appraise the organization of different health systems. LO 4.4 Apply principles, methods and tools for health planning and management at district, regional, national and international levels. LO 4.5 Assess health settings during emergency outbreaks, identify priorities and plan for key actions. LO 4.6 Promote teamwork, applying intercultural communication skills. 5. Global burden of diseases, health problems and response LO 5.1 Critically discuss and analyse the main factors related to the burden of diseases in different regions of the world. LO 5.2 Describe and critically appraise the clinical and epidemiological key aspects of global health priorities in low- middle-income countries, including communicable and non- communicable diseases. LO 5.3 Demonstrate basic competences in building a programmatic public health oriented response to major communicable and non-communicable diseases, using appropriate and evidence-based tools. LO 5.4 Apply competences in culture-friendly approaches to health issues.
Focus or specific features: The core course in Global Health at Brescia University has been historically characterized by a solid background on communicable diseases and their programmatic and public health oriented approach. This focus is enhanced by wide experience in infectious control strategies in low resource settings and vulnerable populations, as migrants and other minorities. The course is strengthened by extensive components on health planning and management, as well as epidemiology and research methodologies. It is implemented through the harmonic contribution of academics, health workers, representatives of national and international institutions and NGOs.Facilitators from different areas of the world, with varied professional backgrounds and experiences in low, middle- and high-income countries contribute to generate a multidisciplinary atmosphere. Training is developed with an anthropological, ethical, economic and environmental perspective.
Assessment Procedures: To sit the final exam, students are required to attend at least 80% of class hours. A composite assessment methodology will be used. At the end of the Module 2, 3, 4 and 5, students will be tested by multiple choice questions (MCQ) (each Module will contribute 15% of the final mark). Students, divided into small groups, will be given a major assignment, i.e. writing a project proposal, by approximately the 7th week of the course, to demonstrate their understanding of the main topics of the course. The project proposal will be discussed orally within 2 weeks from the completion of the course at the time of the final exam. This assignment will be graded and will account for 20% of the total mark. The final oral exam will also include questions on the whole content of the core course. This component will account for 20% of the total mark. The final exam commission will be composed by teachers of the Course from the University of Brescia and from Spedali Civili of Brescia. External examiners may be asked to participate. Interim assignments: multiple choice questions, four tests at the end of Modules 2, 3, 4 and 5: 15% of the total score each Final assignment: project proposal: 20% oral exam: 20% Evaluation of each of the interim exams and the final exam will be expressed in marks. Marks will be in thirties (passing score=18/30) according to Italian university law, and transformed in ECTS scoring system according to the following schema: - A = 29/30 to 30/30 - B = 27/30 to 28/30 - C = 25/30 to 26/30 - D = 23/30 to 24/30 - E = 18/30 to 22/30 - F = failure The final score will be the mean of the score of the six assignments. To pass, students need to achieve at least 18/30 in each of the tests. In case of failure, students have the chance to reseat only a single time each exam. A failed exam needs to be re-sit within 2 weeks.
Content: The course is composed by: 1. Introduction and orientation (1 week, 1.5 ECTS) 2. Public policies for global health (3 weeks, 4.5 ECTS) 3. Basic epidemiology and research methods (3.5 weeks- 5 ECTS) 4. International cooperation and migration health (1.5 weeks- 2 ECTS) 5. Global burden of diseases, health problems and response (5 weeks- 7 ECTS)
Methods: Main learning methods: 1. Lectures (~30%) 2. Interactive lessons: role-playing, case studies, problem-solving approach, group exercises/computer based exercises (~20%) 3. Self-study and analysis (~50%) Students are expected to actively participate with their own experiences with a spirit of exchange and team-building attitude. A problem-solving approach will be used throughout the course as a key-tool to favour appraisal of knowledge and competences. Computer based exercises will be mainly performed during epidemiological and statistical sessions. Students are expected to read recommended materials before the presentations. They are also encouraged to look for additional literature or any other source of in-depth analysis. The preparation of the final assignment will offer the opportunity to put in practice most course content.
Prerequisites: Academic experience required: - Degree in: medicine, biology, biotechnology, pharmacy, nursing, obstetrics, health assistance. - Bachelor in: nursing, midwives, health assistance. Any other academic background will be evaluated through personal curriculum. For students having foreign equivalent academic qualifications, the presentation of a Statement of Validity issued by the Italian diplomatic authorities is required. The core course is mostly held in Italian, so a proficient knowledge of the language is required. Knowledge of English is also required, since some lessons are held in this language. However, no preliminary proficiency assessment of both languages is carried out.
Attendance: Min. 10 students, max. 30 students.
Selection: First come, first served basis
Fees: € 2000 for EU citizens; € 600 for candidates from low-income countries (World Bank statistics).
Scholarships: Upon availability, scholarships are offered for candidates born and resident in low-income countries (i.e. scholarship from the UNESCO Chair “Training and empowering human resources for health development in resource-limited countries”; and Médecins Sans Frontières). Scholarships cover: travel expenses, accommodation in accredited facilities, food, health insurance and costs for orientation in Italian language. The application for scholarships usually closes one month before the course application deadline.
Major changes since initial accreditation: The following major changes were made to the currently accredited course: - The title of the course has been modified - The title and content of each course module has been changed and revised in order to better harmonize the different components and to better respond to the current global health problems and training needs:  “Concept and research methods” content was re-organized and strengthened: the epidemiological part is now more analytical, based on a precise skeleton with a dedicated professor of Epidemiology and Statistics; qualitative methods have been added as well as a specific part on scientific reading and writing. The anthropological contribution has been significantly increased and elements of bio-ethics included.  “Health Problems”: communicable diseases lectures have been reduced in order to leave adequate time to non communicable diseases. Hepatitis and antimicrobial resistance were added because of their emerging public health relevance.  “Health Planning and Management”: was created as a specific module. Health Management and Project Planning, IDPs and refugees camp management as Wat-hab notions have been introduced and considered priorities for the students’ knowledge, attitude and practice. - Learning methods were updated: the overall number of contact hours was reduced in order to leave more time to self-study, research and analysis. Where possible, lectures were replaced by interactive lessons and group exercises (computer based exercises, case studies, team work) - Assessment procedures were deeply changed.
Student evaluation: Students are asked to evaluate each lesson and to submit an overall evaluation of the course at the end of each module. According to the evaluation surveys, carried out during the last three years, the majority of the students highly appreciated the content, methods and tools offered by the course. The following positive points emerged: - teaching staff high professional - interactive, practical and stimulating teaching approach - useful, interesting and constructive multidisciplinary approach - exhaustiveness and variety of contents - very good learning facilities (teaching rooms, library, etc.) The identified drawbacks included: - some lessons were too specific and complex for the audience - some overlaps in content during the course - unbalance between theoretical lessons (to many) and practical exercises (too few).
Lessons learned: The strengthening of a multi-disciplinary approach, with teaching staff coming from different backgrounds, offered a good overview to students willing to engage in Global and International health. In this sense, the course still represents a good base for those preparing to work in developing countries and/or in international organizations. The majority of the students completing the core course find a job in developing countries (with NGOs or similar) within 6 months. Both content and teaching methods require in-depth rethinking and modernization to cope with the continuing evolution of global health Strengthening the collaboration and exchange in-between Trop Ed Institutes is an opportunity to be more and more exploited.
tropEd accreditation: Accredited in Berlin 1998 and reaccredited in Brescia 2005, in 2011 in Bordeaux, in December 2016, in June 2021. This accreditation is valid until June 2026.
Remarks: During the whole duration of the core course a tutor is present in the classroom to assist and support students for didactic and/or logistic needs. The collaboration of Academic Institutions and NGOs assures both the didactic methodologies and the adequate field experience. Most lecturers have working experiences in low-resource settings conferring to the course a wide and enriched perspective. Lecturers experienced in international policy making, research, ethics and clinical sciences are part of the Faculty. Optional key readings:  Monitoring progress on universal health coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO South-East Asia Region: 2021 update. ISBN: 978-92-9022-893-6  Health in the post-2015 development agenda: need for a social determinants of health approach. Joint statement of the UN Platform on Social Determinants of Health. World Health Organization  WHO global strategy on health, environment and climate change: the transformation needed to improve lives and wellbeing sustainably through healthy environments. ISBN 978-92-4-000037-7  Bukhman G, Mocumbi AO, Atun R, et al. The Lancet NCDI Poverty Commission: bridging a gap in universal health coverage for the poorest billion. Lancet. 2020;396(10256):991- 1044. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31907-3
Email Address:	master-corsiperfezionamento@unibs.it
Date Of Record Creation:	2011-11-21 03:01:40 (W3C-DTF)
Date Of Record Release:	2011-11-21 04:02:49 (W3C-DTF)
Date Record Checked:	2016-12-19 (W3C-DTF)
Date Last Modified:	2022-12-13 16:03:35 (W3C-DTF)