Doctor of Public Health Courses

PUBH 9001 - HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

This course introduces and examines the basic principles which guide growth and development of individuals across the lifespan, from conception through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and to the elderly.  The course examines the major determinants and facilitators of optimal health within each life stage.  The epidemiology of disease within each stage and the interdependence of each stage will also be explored.

PUBH 9002 - SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

This course will examine the roles of social and cultural factors as determinants of public health.   Scholars are introduced to the cosmological and philosophical roots of scientific and folk/traditional thinking and how these world views have shaped social and cultural behaviours in the Caribbean.  Themes that are explored include social stratification, gender, religion, race and culture, and their impact on individual behaviour.  Participants will explore how social science disciplines are useful in analysing and solving public health challenges.  Social violence and poverty as a social force will be examined.  The relationship between these health determinants and public health interventions will be explored.

PUBH 9003 - APPLIED EPIDEMIOLOGY

This course will review and build on some of the basic epidemiologic principles and concepts; such as describing the nature of health problems, measures of disease frequency, association and impact as well as evaluating the impact of interventions. Scholars are required to show evidence of quantitative and analytical aptitude by critically appraising scientific literature that use various study designs. Scholars are also required to prepare, analyse and present two topics in public health to their colleagues in consultation with an assigned resource person.

PUBH 9004 – STATISTICAL METHODS IN PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE

This Biostatistics course provides an introduction to statistical methods appropriate for analysis of public health and biomedical research data. Students will cover basic statistical concepts such as descriptive statistics, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing as well as more specialised methods such as non-parametric data analysis, time-to-event data analysis and analysis of data from method comparison studied. They will learn how to carry out basic statistical data analysis using STATA statistical data analysis software or SPSS.  Laboratory exercises and homework assignments include brief exercises as well as manipulation and analysis of clinical and epidemiological data. In order to fulfil requirements for passing this course, students will have to complete and pass data analysis assignments and examinations that assess the skills and objectives that were the basis of the didactic sessions.

PUBH 9005 – PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY

This course defines what we mean by policy and explores a framework for policy formulation and analysis, considering content, context, actors and processes.  It reviews some of the theories that are useful in policy analysis and examines the principles and values guiding policy development.  Caribbean case studies are critiqued and discussed.  Students are required to write a policy or policy analysis that is needed in their country, to present it in class, amend it based on the class discussion and to submit it to the relevant authorities.

PUBH 9006- DOCTORAL SEMINARS I: FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

These seminars cover a number of topics of critical importance to public health that together explore the essence and scope of public health with particular attention to meeting the needs of the Caribbean and developing countries.  The topics include the definition and scope of public health, its evolution and practice, equity in health and the Alma Ata Declaration, international success cases in health, Caribbean health systems, and the impact of structural adjustment and health reform on health in the Caribbean and the developing world.

PUBH 9007 – DOCTORAL SEMINARS II: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The Doctoral seminars will explore several major approaches to understanding leadership based on current literature and personal experience. It will also examine leadership issues of critical importance to public health that will equip public health practitioners with skills needed to meet the needs of the Caribbean Region. A number of self-assessment exercises are done to give students deeper insight into their approach to change, leadership style and their strengths and weaknesses.

PUBH 9008 – PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION

This course will focus on the assessment of needs and the development of appropriate programmes using selected methodologies of programme/project planning. Option appraisal, strategic planning, organizational leadership and social marketing of the programme will be addressed. The conceptualization of a monitoring and evaluation process from the initial stages of the programme development and its implementation is also covered.

PUBH 9009 – RESEARCH METHODS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE

This course will build on what was done at the Masters level, reinforcing the various methods of qualitative and quantitative research. The principles of human subject research and ethics including authorship, scientific misconduct, the role of funding agencies and conflicts of interest in scientific research and evaluation will be addressed. Students must prepare a research protocol and have it approved by the UWI Ethics Committee in order to complete this course.

PUBH 9010 – HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR

This course builds on management principles developed at the Masters level. It will review current health systems and examine the principles that govern them and their effectiveness in achieving public health goals. The management of organizations will be addressed including the issue of authority and power in the health sector, strategic planning and organizational leadership.

PUBH 9014 – QUALITATIVE RESEARCH FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

This course is designed to prepare students as qualitative researchers in the field of public health. It presents an introduction to the theoretical assumptions of research methods within the qualitative research paradigm. Students have an opportunity to learn and practice qualitative research skills and to develop an understanding of the importance of ethics and trustworthiness as part of good qualitative research design and practice. In addition, the course equips students to design, implement and report on a small-scale qualitative research project. At the end of the course they will appreciate how qualitative research theory informs practice and vice versa.

PUBH 9015 – BEHAVIOUR CHANGE AND COMMUNICATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACITIONERS

This course is designed to increase participants’ understanding of behaviour change and communication principles and their applications in the field of public health leadership. The theories used in behaviour change and health promotion programmes will be covered. The course will also explore communication techniques and  behaviour change processes that impact the individual, social, environmental and policy aspects that call for change in norms, values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.