Unit Code: HSM601

Unit Name: Communication in Health

Description: This course is meant to provide students witha comprehensive introduction to health communication by combining the theory and practice of this field with some hands-on guide introduction to program development and implementation. This course on health comunication is a much-needed skills that addresses the needs of students and professionals who are pursuing a career in healthcare. The course also evolves the nature of health communication and the importance of recognizing that there is ni single magical health communication intervention. Student will also understand that health communication is a multi-disciplinary approach that relies on different action areas, such as interpersonal communications, public relations, public advocacy, community mobilization, professional communications, and constituency relations with the ultimate goal to improve health outcomes. The content of the course will be divide into three (3) parts; Part 1 focuses on introduction to health communication (3 sessions); Part 2 focuses on Health Communication Approaches and Action Areas (5 sessions); and Part 3 focuses on Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Health Communication Program (5 sessions). Therefore, in terms of the course structure, there are 13 different topics/lectures to be covered. Each session is delivered through face to face, followed by weekly tutorial, quizzes and supplementary notes. Students are required to prepare themselves for each session beforehand. Self?directed learning is fundamental concept in higher education. As such this course requires students to engage in at least 6 hours of self?directed learning per week.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to: 1. Examine the health communication concept, current health communication theories and influence of culture, gender, ethnic and religion on conceptions of health and illness 2. Examine the different health communication approaches and the action areas 3. Demonstrate a step-by-step guide to the development and implementation of a health communication plan 4. Administer guidance on the evaluation of health communication program after implementation

Prerequisite: BHSM Year 1 courses

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 1