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East Tennessee State University
Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology
EPID 5700:
Interprofessional Perspectives on Global Health - Summer 2017

Meeting Location:ETSU Main Campus (Lamb Hall), pre and post trip

Center for Development Central America

Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua

Instructor:Megan A. Quinn

Assistant Professor

Lamb Hall 149E; 423 439-4427;

Available by appointment, contact by email or phone

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Reimagining Global Health. An Introduction. 2013. Paul Farmer, Jim Yong Kim, Arthur Kleinman, & Matthew Basilico. University of California Press. ISBN- 13 978-0520271999.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION

EPID 5700 is a graduate level study abroad course. The course consists of lectures at ETSU prior to the study abroad trip, a trip to Nicaragua for two weeks, and lectures at ETSU following the trip. The course will provide students with intensive study of interprofessional perspectives on global health and of the country’s health status to gain a better understanding and appreciation for global health and interprofessional healthcare.

COURSE PURPOSE

The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the concepts and issues in interprofessional global health and to gain the skills and experience using epidemiologic methods in global health settings.

COMPETENCIES AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This course addresses the following MPH Epidemiology Concentration competencies. The competencies are numbered, and the associated course-specific learning objectives are lettered.

  1. Apply evidence-based principles and scientific knowledge to critical evaluation and decision-making in public health.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to work in inter-professional teams to grow scientific knowledge and make evidence-based decisions in a global health setting.
  3. Develop approaches for public health research using epidemiologic methods.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to provide adequate support for local healthcare organizations.
  1. Apply the methods of epidemiology to the evaluation, prevention, and control of infectious diseases of major health importance.
  2. Examine the health status of the local community as it relates to infectious disease in terms of person, place, and time.
  3. Examine the unique features of infectious disease in global health.
  4. Evaluate global health priorities related to infectious disease.
  5. Distinguish global health priorities and approaches to health care delivery for infectious disease using epidemiologic methods.
  1. Discuss public health features of chronic diseases within a historical and contemporary context.
  2. Examine the health status of the local community as it relates to chronic disease in terms of person, place, and time.
  3. Examine the unique features of chronic disease in global health.
  4. Distinguish global health priorities and approaches to health care delivery for chronic disease using epidemiologic methods.
  5. Evaluate global health priorities related to chronic disease.

Assessment of Student Learning

Major Course Assignment / Learning Objectives Assessed
Exercise 1 / 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c
Exercise 2 / 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
Exercise 3 / 2a, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3c, 3d
Exercise 4 / 1a, 1b
Exercise 5 / 1a, 1b, 1c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
Reflections / 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b
Presentation / 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS, LEARNING ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER INFO

In order to do well in this course and to learn the professional competencies and be able to accomplish the learning outcomes, students should pay attention to the course assignments, keeping up-to-date with reading and course activities. Some specific features of the course are given below.

Desire2Learn

In order to do well in this class and to learn the professional competencies, students will accomplish the learning objectives by keeping up-to-date with course assignments, readings, and assigned course activities.

Desire2Learn (D2L) website: The course website is used to provide announcements, assignments, and course materials. Students are expected to check the website frequently for posting of materials as well as for changes or revisions that may occur.

Exercises/Participation: There will be a variety of in class and take home assignments given. These can be take home exercises, reading assignments, and other related learning activities to help learn and emphasize the material. Additionally, students will actively participate in the study abroad course.

  • Exercise 1: Students will find a case study that examines global health and the unique issues associated with global health.
  • Exercise 2: Students will complete a module from the Global Health Learning Center and discuss it with the class.
  • Exercise 3: Students will research a global health priority. Students can work individually or in groups to examine how to address this global health priority and differentiate between health care delivery systems in global health.
  • Exercise 4: Students will evaluate best practices in global health research and develop a brief report illustrating proper research techniques in global health settings. Discuss barriers to global health research and issues with generalizability, etc.
  • Exercise 5: Data Summary Report from in country project.Students will work together to compile a final data summary report of the in country project to disseminate back to the Center for Development Central America.

Reflections: Students will provide observations/reflections of their experience on a regular basis. Guidelines will be presented in class.

  • Reflection 1: Students will describe their expectations of the course/trip and evaluate their current perspectives on interprofessional global health.
  • Reflection 2: Students will examine a health issue in Ciudad Sandino by person, place, and time. Students will develop approaches for research on this topic using culturally competent epidemiologic methods.
  • Reflection 3: Students will evaluate how to provide support for local health organizations and demonstrate the role of community-based organizations in global healthcare delivery.
  • Reflection 4: Students will write a reflection of the course/trip, describing their experience working in interprofessional healthcare teams, examining the unique features of global health. Comment on any recommendations for the course.

Student Presentations:Presentation guidelines will be presented in class and posted on D2L.

Late Assignments: Late assignments are allowed only with instructor permission and there will be a 10% deduction. Generally, work that is more than a week late will not be allowed.

GRADING AND GRADING SCALE

Student grades will be based on the following assignments:

Exercises/Study Abroad Participation50%

Student Presentations30%

Reflections20%

Grading Scale: Letter grades for this course are assigned as follows:

A 95-100% / B- 83-85%
A- 92-94% / C+ 80-82%
B+ 89-91% / C 77-79%
B 86-88% / F 0 –76%

The grade received is based on the student’s individual performance. It is understood that outside influences or demands can affect a student’s performance. However, the grade for this class is based solely on how well a student performs in accomplishing the class assignments.

Extra credit activities to compensate for poor performance undermine the integrity of the learning objectives and are unfair to other students. Extra credit activities will not be given.

ATTENDANCE POLICY / MISSED and LATE CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Class attendance is expected. Two total absences (excused plus unexcused) are allowed. Beyond the two absences, one percent will be deducted from the overall grade for each additional absence except for unusual circumstances when approved by the instructor.

Late assignments require the permission of the instructor and those over one week late will generally not be accepted. 10% will be deducted for late assignments.

MENTAL HEALTH:

Students often have questions about mental health resources, whether for them- selves or a friend or family member. There are many resources available on the ETSU Campus, including: ETSU Counseling Center (423) 439-4841; ETSU Behavioral Health & Wellness Clinic (423) 439-7777; ETSU Community Counseling Clinic: (423) 439-4187.

• If you or a friend are in immediate crisis, call 911.

• Available 24 hours per day is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

STATEMENT ABOUT ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Your Role in Preventing Academic Misconduct

Not only in this course, but in your entire university experience, you are expected to practice the highest standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Plagiarism is using, borrowing, or stealing someone else’s words or ideas without giving credit to the source. This includes copying definitions and sentences from textbooks, periodicals, other student’s papers, the internet, or any other resource. Cheating can take many forms, including the use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aids on assignments or tests. It also includes collaborating with others on exercises not designated as group assignments. Fabrication involves the intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Committing any of these or similar acts, or helping others to do so, will result in disciplinary sanctions. For more information consult the sections on “Academic Misconduct” in Spectrum, the ETSU Student Handbook, and the ETSU Honor Code (below).

ETSU HONOR CODE

East Tennessee State University is committed to developing the intellect and moral character of its students. To that end, all instances of plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct shall be punished in accord with Tennessee Board of Regents Policy. Any knowledge of conduct of this nature should be reported to the proper authorities. Not reporting instances of academic misconduct represents a fundamental break with honor code policy, and although this offense is not punishable, reflects a callous disregard for yourself, your classmates, and your professors. Penalties for academic misconduct will vary with the seriousness of the offense and may include, but are not limited to: a grade of F on the work in question, a grade of F for the course, reprimand, probation, suspension, and expulsion. For a second academic misconduct offense, the penalty is permanent expulsion.

STUDENT PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL SERVICES

East Tennessee State University is committed to the goal of integrating students with disabilities into the campus community to the fullest extent possible. Services include arrangements for access, accommodations, and instruction and provision of a variety of support services designed to enable the student to take full advantage of the University’s programs.

It is the responsibility of the disabled student (physical or learning), following self-identification, notification of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs and filing of documentation with the ADA representative on the ETSU campus, to notify the course director at the beginning of the semester or clerkship. If there is any student in the class who needs test taking or note taking accommodations, the student should discuss this with the course or clerkship director. Every effort will be made to provide appropriate accommodations. Students preferring to participate in class without accommodations are advised to inform the course director of the specific nature of the disability at the beginning of the semester and/or clerkship in the event that accommodations are needed as the semester progresses.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

The official radio station for reporting the status of classes and other activities of East Tennessee State University during inclement weather is WETS-FM 89.5. All students are to govern themselves according to the status as reported by this station for the University.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

East Tennessee State University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Special Assistant to the President for Equity and Diversity and Title IX Coordinator and may be contacted at: 206 Burgin E. Dossett Hall, Johnson City, TN 37614, 423-439-4211, or via this webpage: Additionally, the Title IX Coordinator is designated to monitor and oversee Title IX complaints.

UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES

All undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to make use of the University Career Services, located on the 2nd floor of the Culp Center, behind the bookstore. Staff employed by the center are professionally trained to assist with career planning, job search skills and resume writing. Contact information for the University Career Services staff may be found at You may wish to take advantage of a skill building workshop or to schedule an appointment with them for one-on-one advice. This is a valuable university resource that you should use.