TLM-3060 | UiT

Type of course

Theoretic and practical. The course can be taken as a singular course as long as the admission requirement for the Master Program is satisfied.

Course content

The course will be introduced with a review of various Internet services to patients and the public, with a closer look at their roles in the context of other e-health services. These services range from pure access to information, decision support, support for lifestyle changes (for example, exercise, diet, tobacco) self-help groups, and online ask-the-doctor services to direct communication with health professionals, for example e-mail, between doctor and patient (including e-therapy).

Overview of user groups, frequency and methods of use:

Presentation of the services is explored in more depth with respect to volume, dispersion, who the users are and what the various services are used for.

Theoretical and practical models:

Various theories and models will provide guidelines for further research, development and evaluation associated with services to patients and the public. These take their point of departure in research fields such as health psychology, medicine, consumer health informatics, and human-machine communication. These will be presented and discussed in connection with selected cases.

Implications:

The significance of the use of Internet health services by patients and the public will be the theme. The focus will be at various levels: individual, organization/system, and society/public health level.

Issues involved include:

Health and quality of life in clinical issues;

Organizational and operational issues (patient organizations and the public health service);

Costs and benefits;

Role changes in the public health service;

Ethical, legal and political questions.

The use of Internet health offerings for specific health purposes raises a number of new problems which need to be solved. The borderless Internet also raises special issues associated with health services across national borders between countries that have different legislation and different traditions associated with privacy protection. Another topic will be ethical guidelines linked both to health offerings on the Internet and to arenas with players from the pharmaceutical sector and other industries, for example, in connection with advertising and purchase of health products over the Internet. This topic also includes national and international objectives as well as tools in this area.

Objectives of the course

Patients and the public have become important users of ICT for self-care and in interaction with the public health service. Such use may gradually become a natural part of e-health services, and potentially contribute to achieving public-sector objectives such as increased user participation and treatment at the lowest effective level of care (known as the LEON principle in Scandinavia). At the same time, the use of ICT by patients and the public for health purposes raises a variety of questions related to clinical, ethical, organizational, legal and financial issues. The objective of this course is to provide an overview and exploration of such questions, as well as provide a basis for evaluating services to patients and the public.

Language of instruction and examination

English.

Teaching methods

The course consists of a combination of lectures, discussions, home work and practical exercises. In addition to physical attendance of lectures and seminars, part of the course is net-based, requiring active participation of students via Class Fronter. All assignments are submitted electronically in Class Fronter.

Assessment

2-weeks' take-home examination based on a specific assignment.

spring 2012 TLM-3060 Patients and the public as users of Net health services - 10 ECTS