Public Health (DrPH)

You consolidate your learning experiences throughout the programme through the development of a self-initiated advanced independent research project. You act independently and with originality to implement a public health research project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or enhancing understanding at the forefront of a specific area of public health practice. You are allocated a supervisory team to guide you through the research project. At the end of the module you produce a thesis (60,000 words) and defend it through a viva voce examination. You are given adequate support relating to independent learning, working with supervisors, preparing a robust thesis and preparing for viva voce examination.

You build advanced skills and knowledge in research methods and project management, in order to complete a methodologically sound proposal and ethical approval application, which forms the basis for your advanced independent public health research project. The key focus includes advanced understanding of theoretical paradigms underpinning research, advanced project design and management, data collection and analysis, and research ethics and governance with an emphasis on the application to public health practice. Specific areas include:

– debating philosophical paradigms underpinnings of research and the importance of research in public health practice
– developing a theoretical stand-point on a chosen topic relevant to public health practice
– designing rigorous independent public health research projects and questions
– managing research ethics and governance issues in developing a public health research proposal
– applying quantitative and qualitative designs to public health practice
– advanced quantitative measurement and qualitative approaches
– advanced analysis of qualitative and quantitative data relevant to public health practice
– management of data and decision making processes in situations of missing data
– conducting high quality systematic literature reviews to evaluate specific research questions within public health practice
– advanced critical appraisal of qualitative and quantitative research evidence
– advanced research project management in public health practice
– developing funding bids for public health interventions
– resources planning and management in public health research.

This module provides you with an understanding of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis employed in public health research. The content covers both theoretical and practical aspects of data analysis, ranging from basic exploratory analysis to more complex multi-variable analysis.

You explore the role of epidemiology in the understanding of health and disease, policy development and service provision. The module includes an introduction to the basic principles of epidemiology and the most commonly used research methods. Emphasis is placed on the strengths and weaknesses of various study designs with regard to confounding, bias and validity. You review measures of disease occurrence, and sources of routinely collected data. Key concepts in epidemiological methodology are explored, and you develop skills in the evaluation of epidemiological research.

You examine the key public health principles and factors that contribute to an international public health discipline and develop a good understanding of the public health spectrum. These key principles include an in-depth examination of global health, exploring health and health inequalities globally, taking into account international health systems and economies as well as the key public health principles such as health protection, disease notification, collaborative working and management of major public health incidents nationally and globally. Specific areas covered include:
– globalisation and the impact on international public health policy
– communication in public health
– principles of global health
– cultures and society
– health protection
– overview of molecular biology of disease
– environmental health
– health economics.

You are provided with a detailed understanding of the role of public health leadership and management in improving population and community health. You critically explore key strategic drivers, collaborative working for health and wellbeing outcomes; as well as critical professional reflection and ethical conduct in leadership. You are supported in cultivating leadership and management skills and knowledge. This module is ideal for those who are existing, emerging leaders or aspire to be future leaders in public health, as well as those working in a health and social care context or those wanting to gain knowledge and understanding of the role of leadership and the strategic challenges related to public health practice. Specific areas covered include:
– types of leadership: styles and theory
– resource allocation in health care
– using health data to inform strategic direction
– use of an ethical framework in decision making/priority setting
– evaluating public health interventions
– organisational culture
– public health law
– how to use reflection for continued professional development
– report writing.

This module equips you with the skills to disseminate knowledge through publication, with focus on writing and submitting an article to a peer-reviewed journal. You develop key skills including clarifying appropriate knowledge for dissemination, understanding impact factors, preparing a journal article for publication, and negotiating the journal submission process. Specific areas include:

– identifying appropriate knowledge for dissemination
– research reporting standards
– devising a coherent dissemination strategy
– preparing a conference abstract
– identifying an appropriate peer-reviewed journal
– author guidelines for journal submissions
– authorship and effective argumentation
– writing for publication
– refworks
– editorial processes
– addressing reviewer comments
authorship(s) and intellectual property.

This module is designed to enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the context of public health. It is aimed at students who have a role or partial role in public health, or are wishing to move into the field.

You are offered the opportunity to explore a negotiated topic in a specific area of public health practice and study it in depth, critically evaluating relevant theory and research and linking such theory to public health practice. The module content results from the negotiated learning contract drawn up by you and the allocated supervising tutor at the beginning of the semester. Support is provided on the process of negotiating a learning contract using the virtual learning environment (VLE) e-learning@tees. Examples of specific areas include:

– infectious/communicable diseases management
- classification, trends, morbidity, mortality
- responding to emerging infectious disease outbreak, for example Ebola and Zika
- disease containment strategies
– emergency planning and response management
- disaster preparedness
- disaster communication and situational awareness
- radiation emergency management
– environmental health
– public health nutrition
– obesity (trends, aetiology, determinants, weight management)
– biology of disease and immunity
- bacteria (typhoid, cholera, staph aureus)
- virus (HIV, rubella, rabies, Ebola)
- vector borne diseases
- vaccinations (active, passive, role, barriers management)
- human system immune response
– non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer)
– mental health
– evidence based public health.