Methods in Health Research

Code:

MCP_02

Acronym:

ICES

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree Course in Palliative Care

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCP	36	Palliative Care_09	1	-	5	45	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The essential aim of the Curricular Unit Medical Research and Evidence in Health is that the student acquires the necessary knowledge in Palliative Care, especially in what concerns the research in health, specifically with regards research in Palliative Care. In the plan of the concepts the aims are the acquisition and knowledge of the more representative theories that can be used in Palliative Care research.

Learning outcomes and competences

With this curricular unit the student must gather the necessary skills for promoting excellence in Palliative Care research. The student must be adequately informed about the basic precepts of Palliative Care research namely: health research, epidemiological research, behavioural research and operational research on health systems.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- Health research as the study of individuals with specific diseases or pathological conditions, focusing on its detection, cause, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as in the design of methods, drugs and instruments to address health problems.

2- Epidemiological research regarding the study and control of diseases, as well as exposure cases and other situations suspected of being harmful to health; research in social sciences that investigate the broad social determinants in health.

3- Behavioural research, which is associated with risk factors for health problems and diseases and that it is used in health promotion and disease prevention.

4 - Operational research on health systems and on their improvement so that they can achieve the desired health outcomes, including projects or programs assessment. The concern of evidence in medicine and health care and its impact on the practice of palliative care.

Mandatory literature

Field, D., Clark, D., Corner,J., & Davis, C.; Researching Palliative Care Pap (1ºedition). , Maidenhead: Open University Press., 2001
Portenoy, R.K., & Bruera, E. ; Topics in Palliative Care (vol.1), New York: Oxford University Press, 1997
Hockley, J., Froggatt, K., & Heimerl, K. ; Participatory Research in Palliative Care: Actions and reflections (1st edition), New York: Oxford University Press, 2013
Addington-Hall, J.M., Bruera, E., Higginson, I.J.,& Higginson, I.J.; Research Methods in Palliative Care (1st edition). , New York: Oxford University Press, 2007
Hanks, G., Cherny, N.I., Christakis, N.A., Fallon, M., Kaasa, S., & Portenoy, R.K.; Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicide (4th edition). , New York: Oxford University Press, 2010

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies have different strategies: a) Theoretical Lectures: about different themes related to the Curricular Unit; b) Seminars: Prepared and guided discussion of specific themes, defined in advance, with the participation of professors and students; c) Group Work: Pedagogical activity of analysis and problem solving, orientated by the professors and actively prepared by the students; and d) Presentation of Case-Problems by the students.

The Continuous Assessment is performed by the responsible professor for the group of students who attend the Curricular Unit. An assessment of the whole pedagogical process and of the evolution of each student's capacities is at stake: Evolution in the communication skills, evolution of the human relation, of the regular attendance in the Curricular Unit, of the interest and participation in the pedagogic process, and, finally, of the theoretical and practical knowledge. It is possible to make use of audio-visual techniques.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

The Final Assessment of the curricular unit is made by the Continuous Assessment (50%) and a Final Examination that evaluates the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge (50%).