Health At Coventry University Issue 3

Health at Coventry University

Putting theory into practice Visiting Professor Bryan Stoten explains academia’s vital role in the future of the health service A world of good Coventry’s international approach to the future of healthcare

ISSUE 3 2009

Welcome elcome to the autumn edition of Health at Coventry University. Health education is increasingly influenced by global agendas and is moving away from a UK-centric approach. Coventry is embracing internationalisation in its curricula and providing an even richer experience for our students; some of the ways we are doing this are outlined in the article on pages 8 and 9. In July I visited South East Asia with the Dean of Health and Life Sciences Dr. Linda Merriman and several other Faculty members. We had a successful time working with an existing partner, Unity College International in Kuala Lumpur, where we are developing Nursing and Psychology courses. We also signed memoranda of understanding with two new partners, Masterskill University College of Health Sciences, KL and Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore, and began discussions with Inti University College, Malaysia. We are exploring a range of possibilities with these international partners across our subject disciplines, including course development, staff and student exchange, and research collaborations. We also hope to involve our existing UK health service partners in these exciting developments. If you’re working in practice and would like to contribute to our globalisation plans, or have an idea about how we could incorporate practice into our international collaborations, get in touch, it would be great to hear your ideas. Also in this issue of Health, Visiting Professor Bryan Stoten talks about his vision for healthcare over the next few years, Martin Bollard continues his series of articles on service user involvement, and you can read how Coventry is rapidly becoming a sector leader in the field of Assistive Technology. From a research perspective we feature the recent Postgraduate research symposium and you can view this successful event on YouTube. We also cover the work of BioCore, one of the University’s research groups, which is internationally renowned for its work in Biomedical Computing. Please do contact us if you’re interested in more information on any of the articles, or if you would like to make a contribution to a future edition of Health. We look forward to hearing from you. Dr Andy Bridges PhD CPsychol CSci AFBPsS Associate Dean Faculty of Health & Life Sciences 2

CONTENTS 3 News  Find out about a new course in sexual health and a new manual for paramedics 6 Assistive Technology Education Coventry’s user-centred approach to teaching Assistive Technology 8 A World of Good The University’s plan to double international student numbers 10 Better Involvement Facing the challenges and reaping the rewards of user involvement 13 HDTI Opens for Business How the iconic building is making a difference 14 Putting Theory into Practice   Visiting Professor Bryan Stoten explains how academia supports the healthcare system 16 Noticeboard   Find out the latest dates for open days you can attend

HEALTH NEWS New support manual for paramedics new manual will be the first in the UK to offer advice and information relating to paramedics’ core clinical procedures. The Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures supports the practice of paramedics, ambulance technicians, first responders and volunteer ambulance personnel. It includes the latest, evidence-based expert knowledge, enabling paramedics to deliver effective, patient-focused care. Clinical procedures are a fundamental aspect of care for practitioners working in pre-hospital settings and as paramedic procedures continue to increase, an evidencebased clinical skills manual was needed. Pete Gregory, course leader for the Foundation Degree in Paramedic Science at Coventry University and Ian Mursell, Paramedic Lecturer-Practitioner with Coventry University and the West Midlands Ambulance Service, have worked on the manual for over two years. It is hoped the manual will challenge some of the more traditional approaches to clinical procedures and reviewers of the manual said: “It represents a continuing commitment by the University to the further development

of the Paramedic profession. It is a very interesting and exciting book, which the profession desperately needs. This is a new approach to prehospital care, using real life experiences, supported by current, robust research to help contextualize the material. It allows the student the opportunity to relate theoretical content to a practice setting.” Topics included in the manual are Aseptic Technique, Airway Management, Assisted Ventilation, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Defibrillation and External Cardiac Pacing, Observations, Pain Assessment & Management, Respiratory Therapy, Spinal Management and Venepuncture. The book is due to be published by Wiley-Blackwell later in 2009.

CONTACT US If you would like to find out more about any of the articles featured in this issue or about applied research or to subscribe to future issues of Health, please contact: Gail Williams, Marketing Admissions and Recruitment Manager, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Telephone: + 44 (0) 24 7679 5983 Email: [email protected] Website: www.coventry.ac.uk/health To see previous issues of Health visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/healthmagazine Credits: Managing Editor: Gail Williams Edited by: Cheryl Liddle Designed by: Kraken Creative Printed by Emmersons This publication is available in other formats on request. Please contact Marketing and Communications on +44 (0) 24 7688 8352

New course in sexual health he need for more modernised services in sexual health has prompted the University to offer a Postgraduate certificate in the subject. The certificate in sexual health complements the NHS West Midlands’ investment plan in relation to public health, the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and the reduction of unintended teenage pregnancies. The development of the course has been supported by a local consultant in Genito-urinary Medicine as well as key managers and personnel directly involved in sexual health service provision. The qualification is suitable for a range of professionals working in health and social care, including doctors, nurses, midwives, specialist community public health nurses, teachers and others responsible for personal, social and health education as well as sexual health advisors/sexual health promotion specialists. Online activities enable students to fit study around their other commitments and the course includes three mandatory modules: sexual health care and promotion, essential skills in sexual health care and inter-professional work based learning.

Students undertake the practice elements of the course in their own or associated areas of capability. Health workers wanting to take the course must work in a relevant area of clinical practice to be able to complete certain modules and have an identified clinical supervisor for the practice elements. While the Department of Health called for a modernisation of services in its 2001 National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, it was still listed as one of the six healthcare priorities in Lord Darzi’s review in 2008. Sue Lees, Associate Head of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Care, said: “The modernisation of services requires effective multidisciplinary working and both the training and education of professionals are fundamental to the delivery of high quality services.” For further information contact: Sue Lees on +44 (0) 24 7679 5384 or the Admissions Team +44 (0) 24 7679 5959 or [email protected].

3

Welcome elcome to the autumn edition of Health at Coventry University. Health education is increasingly influenced by global agendas and is moving away from a UK-centric approach. Coventry is embracing internationalisation in its curricula and providing an even richer experience for our students; some of the ways we are doing this are outlined in the article on pages 8 and 9. In July I visited South East Asia with the Dean of Health and Life Sciences Dr. Linda Merriman and several other Faculty members. We had a successful time working with an existing partner, Unity College International in Kuala Lumpur, where we are developing Nursing and Psychology courses. We also signed memoranda of understanding with two new partners, Masterskill University College of Health Sciences, KL and Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore, and began discussions with Inti University College, Malaysia. We are exploring a range of possibilities with these international partners across our subject disciplines, including course development, staff and student exchange, and research collaborations. We also hope to involve our existing UK health service partners in these exciting developments. If you’re working in practice and would like to contribute to our globalisation plans, or have an idea about how we could incorporate practice into our international collaborations, get in touch, it would be great to hear your ideas. Also in this issue of Health, Visiting Professor Bryan Stoten talks about his vision for healthcare over the next few years, Martin Bollard continues his series of articles on service user involvement, and you can read how Coventry is rapidly becoming a sector leader in the field of Assistive Technology. From a research perspective we feature the recent Postgraduate research symposium and you can view this successful event on YouTube. We also cover the work of BioCore, one of the University’s research groups, which is internationally renowned for its work in Biomedical Computing. Please do contact us if you’re interested in more information on any of the articles, or if you would like to make a contribution to a future edition of Health. We look forward to hearing from you. Dr Andy Bridges PhD CPsychol CSci AFBPsS Associate Dean Faculty of Health & Life Sciences 2

CONTENTS 3 News  Find out about a new course in sexual health and a new manual for paramedics 6 Assistive Technology Education Coventry’s user-centred approach to teaching Assistive Technology 8 A World of Good The University’s plan to double international student numbers 10 Better Involvement Facing the challenges and reaping the rewards of user involvement 13 HDTI Opens for Business How the iconic building is making a difference 14 Putting Theory into Practice   Visiting Professor Bryan Stoten explains how academia supports the healthcare system 16 Noticeboard   Find out the latest dates for open days you can attend

HEALTH NEWS New support manual for paramedics new manual will be the first in the UK to offer advice and information relating to paramedics’ core clinical procedures. The Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures supports the practice of paramedics, ambulance technicians, first responders and volunteer ambulance personnel. It includes the latest, evidence-based expert knowledge, enabling paramedics to deliver effective, patient-focused care. Clinical procedures are a fundamental aspect of care for practitioners working in pre-hospital settings and as paramedic procedures continue to increase, an evidencebased clinical skills manual was needed. Pete Gregory, course leader for the Foundation Degree in Paramedic Science at Coventry University and Ian Mursell, Paramedic Lecturer-Practitioner with Coventry University and the West Midlands Ambulance Service, have worked on the manual for over two years. It is hoped the manual will challenge some of the more traditional approaches to clinical procedures and reviewers of the manual said: “It represents a continuing commitment by the University to the further development

of the Paramedic profession. It is a very interesting and exciting book, which the profession desperately needs. This is a new approach to prehospital care, using real life experiences, supported by current, robust research to help contextualize the material. It allows the student the opportunity to relate theoretical content to a practice setting.” Topics included in the manual are Aseptic Technique, Airway Management, Assisted Ventilation, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Defibrillation and External Cardiac Pacing, Observations, Pain Assessment & Management, Respiratory Therapy, Spinal Management and Venepuncture. The book is due to be published by Wiley-Blackwell later in 2009.

CONTACT US If you would like to find out more about any of the articles featured in this issue or about applied research or to subscribe to future issues of Health, please contact: Gail Williams, Marketing Admissions and Recruitment Manager, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Telephone: + 44 (0) 24 7679 5983 Email: [email protected] Website: www.coventry.ac.uk/health To see previous issues of Health visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/healthmagazine Credits: Managing Editor: Gail Williams Edited by: Cheryl Liddle Designed by: Kraken Creative Printed by Emmersons This publication is available in other formats on request. Please contact Marketing and Communications on +44 (0) 24 7688 8352

New course in sexual health he need for more modernised services in sexual health has prompted the University to offer a Postgraduate certificate in the subject. The certificate in sexual health complements the NHS West Midlands’ investment plan in relation to public health, the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and the reduction of unintended teenage pregnancies. The development of the course has been supported by a local consultant in Genito-urinary Medicine as well as key managers and personnel directly involved in sexual health service provision. The qualification is suitable for a range of professionals working in health and social care, including doctors, nurses, midwives, specialist community public health nurses, teachers and others responsible for personal, social and health education as well as sexual health advisors/sexual health promotion specialists. Online activities enable students to fit study around their other commitments and the course includes three mandatory modules: sexual health care and promotion, essential skills in sexual health care and inter-professional work based learning.

Students undertake the practice elements of the course in their own or associated areas of capability. Health workers wanting to take the course must work in a relevant area of clinical practice to be able to complete certain modules and have an identified clinical supervisor for the practice elements. While the Department of Health called for a modernisation of services in its 2001 National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, it was still listed as one of the six healthcare priorities in Lord Darzi’s review in 2008. Sue Lees, Associate Head of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Care, said: “The modernisation of services requires effective multidisciplinary working and both the training and education of professionals are fundamental to the delivery of high quality services.” For further information contact: Sue Lees on +44 (0) 24 7679 5384 or the Admissions Team +44 (0) 24 7679 5959 or [email protected].

3

HEALTH NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

Caring for sports people he first cohort of students on the Sports Therapy BSc has just entered its final year of the course. The Department of Biomolecular and Sport Sciences at Coventry is one of only 16 institutions in the UK to have a Sports Therapy course that has been accredited by the Society for Sports Therapists (SST) – the professional body that works with the Health Professions Council for the regulation and registration of Sports Therapists. Sports Therapy focuses on the prevention of injury and rehabilitates patients back to their optimum levels of functional, occupational and sport specific fitness. It uses the principles of sport and exercise sciences to prepare patients for training, competition and where applicable, work. The course equips students with knowledge and practical skills for a career in sports therapy. Hands-on experience in laboratories, therapy suites and clinics is integrated with the knowledge and skills of a sport and exercise scientist. This knowledge base includes exercise physiology, biomechanics, tissue mechanics, exercise and health combined with sports therapy, including diagnosis and treatment of injuries, soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation. The course aims to create Sports Therapists that understand sport science, understand athletes and their interaction with coaches; know when to treat a patient and

New management course leads the way when to

refer them on; and be able to identify risk factors and help prevent injuries. Students gain experience in both clinical and pitch side settings, which has so far included work with the University’s sports teams, covering for the annual Warwick University versus Coventry University Varsity Day and work experience with Coventry City Football Club (CCFC). There are plans to develop more links with local rugby clubs this year as well as strengthen the course links with CCFC.

oventry is the first UK University to offer a wholly online leadership and management development programme for both Undergraduates and Postgraduates in health and social care. The flexible programme aims to help staff working in the NHS, Social Services or the independent sectors to develop their careers, improve management skills and meet the requirements for Continuing Professional Development. Two programmes are available at Undergraduate level – a Foundation Degree (FD), which is suitable for people without a university qualification working in the sector and a BA (Hons) top up degree for those who have previously attained an appropriate qualification. Postgraduate programmes are aimed at people with an appropriate professional qualification or appropriate academic achievement and skills. The courses focus on developing students’ management and leadership skills so they can manage groups of professional staff and services. Students can choose to study individual modules or work towards the full academic award at their own pace. Online courses include audio-visual learning methods to make studying interactive, interesting and challenging.

Find out more information at www.coventry.ac.uk/hls or at the Society of Sports Therapists www.society-of-sports-therapists.org

Moving closer to local partners

Postgraduates showcase work ostgraduate students had the chance to present their work at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences’ symposium day in April. The event was organised to give Postgraduates a forum to showcase their work, develop presentation skills and network with other students. Full and Part-time students studying for PhD and MSc(R) degrees as well as staff members who are undertaking research degrees attended the event. Nine students gave oral presentations and there were 16 poster presentations for people to learn more about other strands of research going on within the Faculty. Dr Andrew Bridges, Associate Dean for the Faculty, opened the event and after a series of oral presentations, there was a keynote speech from Dr Elizabeth Hughes – the newly appointed Reader in Primary Care. 4

Awards were also on offer for the best presentations, with the winners going forward to the University Research Symposium later in the year. Kate Simmons won the best oral presentation for Investigating the Safety of the Use of Ipratropium for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Mayen Konarski won the best poster presentation for a multi-case study investigation of the potential role of prescribed lenses in learning. A film of the event is available at www.youtube.com/ covstudent

Dr Elizabeth Hughes gave the keynote speech

he Biomedical Computing and Engineering Technologies (BIOCORE) Applied Research Group has relocated to the new HDTI building to work more closely with local and regional healthcare partners. Since Raouf Naguib, Professor of Biomedical Computing, set up BIOCORE in 1998, the group’s reputation has grown regionally and internationally. Its experienced members are often called upon to contribute to journals and books or to present at conferences. Applied projects have spanned the development and application of computational methods, biomedical engineering and healthcare systems for the analysis, interpretation, prediction, and design of biological, clinical and health-related processes. The Group works with internationally renowned institutions and is currently involved in an urban health project with Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in America; working on health informatics with Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and is focused on a research project into the health effects of indoor air quality with the Philippines Council, among others. A high number of PhDs have been completed and one recent knowledge management project to increase the

Teaching is delivered live online and by previously recorded lectures with access to course materials, online discussions and seminars. Students can also organise individual or group tutorials with academic and support staff and there is also a digital library available with all electronic reading material – along with 24-hour technical support. Principal Lecturer Gary Spolander said the team recognise the challenges students face when combining work and personal commitments with study. “We’ve ensured all live sessions are recorded so people can watch them at a convenient time and offered different ways to access academic support. We’ve included intermediate awards as well and provided two intakes onto the course in October and January each year. There are also no examinations and some of the assignments are linked to a student’s current or future employment.” For more information contact Gary Spolander on +44 (0) 24 7679 5831 or email [email protected] or Amy Clarke on +44(0) 24 7679 5959 or email [email protected]

uptake to the NHS Breast Screening Programme earned praise from the examining team who unanimously put it forward for a University prize. BIOCORE’s research was rated highly in the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008), and with ratings of 3* and 4* it was on a par or better than many other institutions. Dr Rajeev K Bali, a Visiting Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, joined the Group shortly after its creation and formed the research subgroup Knowledge Management for Healthcare (KARMAH) to develop knowledge management tools and techniques to overcome knowledge gaps in healthcare institutions. Prof Naguib, who is also an Adjunct Professor at Carleton University in Canada and an Honorary Professor at De La Salle University in the Philippines, believes the outcome of the results is due to the team’s dedication. He said: “We are always keen to work with innovative and energetic partners and welcome the opportunity to discuss applied research and consultancy proposals.” For more information, visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/biocore 5

HEALTH NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

Caring for sports people he first cohort of students on the Sports Therapy BSc has just entered its final year of the course. The Department of Biomolecular and Sport Sciences at Coventry is one of only 16 institutions in the UK to have a Sports Therapy course that has been accredited by the Society for Sports Therapists (SST) – the professional body that works with the Health Professions Council for the regulation and registration of Sports Therapists. Sports Therapy focuses on the prevention of injury and rehabilitates patients back to their optimum levels of functional, occupational and sport specific fitness. It uses the principles of sport and exercise sciences to prepare patients for training, competition and where applicable, work. The course equips students with knowledge and practical skills for a career in sports therapy. Hands-on experience in laboratories, therapy suites and clinics is integrated with the knowledge and skills of a sport and exercise scientist. This knowledge base includes exercise physiology, biomechanics, tissue mechanics, exercise and health combined with sports therapy, including diagnosis and treatment of injuries, soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation. The course aims to create Sports Therapists that understand sport science, understand athletes and their interaction with coaches; know when to treat a patient and

New management course leads the way when to

refer them on; and be able to identify risk factors and help prevent injuries. Students gain experience in both clinical and pitch side settings, which has so far included work with the University’s sports teams, covering for the annual Warwick University versus Coventry University Varsity Day and work experience with Coventry City Football Club (CCFC). There are plans to develop more links with local rugby clubs this year as well as strengthen the course links with CCFC.

oventry is the first UK University to offer a wholly online leadership and management development programme for both Undergraduates and Postgraduates in health and social care. The flexible programme aims to help staff working in the NHS, Social Services or the independent sectors to develop their careers, improve management skills and meet the requirements for Continuing Professional Development. Two programmes are available at Undergraduate level – a Foundation Degree (FD), which is suitable for people without a university qualification working in the sector and a BA (Hons) top up degree for those who have previously attained an appropriate qualification. Postgraduate programmes are aimed at people with an appropriate professional qualification or appropriate academic achievement and skills. The courses focus on developing students’ management and leadership skills so they can manage groups of professional staff and services. Students can choose to study individual modules or work towards the full academic award at their own pace. Online courses include audio-visual learning methods to make studying interactive, interesting and challenging.

Find out more information at www.coventry.ac.uk/hls or at the Society of Sports Therapists www.society-of-sports-therapists.org

Moving closer to local partners

Postgraduates showcase work ostgraduate students had the chance to present their work at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences’ symposium day in April. The event was organised to give Postgraduates a forum to showcase their work, develop presentation skills and network with other students. Full and Part-time students studying for PhD and MSc(R) degrees as well as staff members who are undertaking research degrees attended the event. Nine students gave oral presentations and there were 16 poster presentations for people to learn more about other strands of research going on within the Faculty. Dr Andrew Bridges, Associate Dean for the Faculty, opened the event and after a series of oral presentations, there was a keynote speech from Dr Elizabeth Hughes – the newly appointed Reader in Primary Care. 4

Awards were also on offer for the best presentations, with the winners going forward to the University Research Symposium later in the year. Kate Simmons won the best oral presentation for Investigating the Safety of the Use of Ipratropium for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Mayen Konarski won the best poster presentation for a multi-case study investigation of the potential role of prescribed lenses in learning. A film of the event is available at www.youtube.com/ covstudent

Dr Elizabeth Hughes gave the keynote speech

he Biomedical Computing and Engineering Technologies (BIOCORE) Applied Research Group has relocated to the new HDTI building to work more closely with local and regional healthcare partners. Since Raouf Naguib, Professor of Biomedical Computing, set up BIOCORE in 1998, the group’s reputation has grown regionally and internationally. Its experienced members are often called upon to contribute to journals and books or to present at conferences. Applied projects have spanned the development and application of computational methods, biomedical engineering and healthcare systems for the analysis, interpretation, prediction, and design of biological, clinical and health-related processes. The Group works with internationally renowned institutions and is currently involved in an urban health project with Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in America; working on health informatics with Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and is focused on a research project into the health effects of indoor air quality with the Philippines Council, among others. A high number of PhDs have been completed and one recent knowledge management project to increase the

Teaching is delivered live online and by previously recorded lectures with access to course materials, online discussions and seminars. Students can also organise individual or group tutorials with academic and support staff and there is also a digital library available with all electronic reading material – along with 24-hour technical support. Principal Lecturer Gary Spolander said the team recognise the challenges students face when combining work and personal commitments with study. “We’ve ensured all live sessions are recorded so people can watch them at a convenient time and offered different ways to access academic support. We’ve included intermediate awards as well and provided two intakes onto the course in October and January each year. There are also no examinations and some of the assignments are linked to a student’s current or future employment.” For more information contact Gary Spolander on +44 (0) 24 7679 5831 or email [email protected] or Amy Clarke on +44(0) 24 7679 5959 or email [email protected]

uptake to the NHS Breast Screening Programme earned praise from the examining team who unanimously put it forward for a University prize. BIOCORE’s research was rated highly in the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008), and with ratings of 3* and 4* it was on a par or better than many other institutions. Dr Rajeev K Bali, a Visiting Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, joined the Group shortly after its creation and formed the research subgroup Knowledge Management for Healthcare (KARMAH) to develop knowledge management tools and techniques to overcome knowledge gaps in healthcare institutions. Prof Naguib, who is also an Adjunct Professor at Carleton University in Canada and an Honorary Professor at De La Salle University in the Philippines, believes the outcome of the results is due to the team’s dedication. He said: “We are always keen to work with innovative and energetic partners and welcome the opportunity to discuss applied research and consultancy proposals.” For more information, visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/biocore 5

Assistive Technology Education User-centred approaches to teaching Assistive Technology have increased Coventry University’s national reputation in the subject n ageing population has brought with it new challenges and the use of Assistive Technology in healthcare provision has grown rapidly in the last few years. The University’s Health Design and Technology Institute (HDTI) is taking a national lead on enabling products and services to reach the marketplace that help older and disabled people to live independently. But as new and improved products are continually released, practitioners need to be made aware of the kind of technologies available to better support patients. In January 2008, the University introduced a new Postgraduate certificate in the Effective Use of Assistive Technologies as part of a portfolio of courses with the HDTI. The course has now been extended to an MSc in Assistive Technology aimed at a range of health and social care practitioners, managers and people working in related industries who want to learn more about Assistive Technology solutions. In the last two academic years, 16 professionals have enrolled on the course, including telecare co-ordinators, alarm call centre managers, occupational therapists and support workers in mental health, dementia care and social services, independent sector workers and managers (for example, Alzheimer’s Society and Independent Living Centres) and the further education sector. Course Director Darren Awang said the diversity of students was a key strength of the course. “We get a range of Assistive Technology (AT) related experiences from service providers as well as perspectives from those that receive them. This has proven to be an enriching learning opportunity for our students who are able to offer expertise from their own workplace and take on board ideas to enhance policy and practice from others. Our students are the future trailblazers in AT.” 6

AT in action: The Pivotell Au tomatic Pill Di in a dispenser spenser tipper, designe d for those unable to lift the dispenser or with limite wrist dexterity d radial .

The modular Part-time course runs over one to five years, depending on the level of the qualification required. As students progress, a total of nine modules can be accrued and the points earned add up to a different level of Postgraduate award, which is an advantage to those students who do not wish to study all of the modules. Users of AT are at the centre of the course and a range of learning approaches and methods are used, including blended learning, work-based learning, shared learning and reflective practice. Students have access to the University’s virtual learning environment to support study and an electronic portfolio to engage with personal development planning. Darren said the variety of teaching methods makes it easier for students to balance work and personal commitments with study. “Students have found the experience very positive and developed a strong network of work and social contacts. Their assignments link to what is going on in the workplace and offer them the ability to critically appraise policies and practices. Students have gone on to raise the profile of AT within their own organisation with confidence and a sound set of principles, tools and skills to support this personal and professional growth. We also regularly complement the taught programme with product showcases to extend students knowledge of the rapidly growing types of AT products and services that exist.” For more of an introduction to AT, there is an Undergraduate Certificate in Assistive Technology for Life Improvement now available from September 2009. Developed by Course Director and Principal Lecturer in Assistive Technology Gill Ward, the course is aimed at care and support workers and assistant practitioners to provide an introduction to AT.

gramming le computer pro being 4 and 5 enab dication not PivoTell mark me t: of or t pp en su ev er Comput carer in the ily member / and alerts a fam a preset time. hin dispensed wit

It focuses on the service user’s perspective and experience of living with a disability and develops knowledge and skills to help practitioners improve the life and wellbeing of individuals through the use of assistive technologies. The course consists of the equivalent of six university modules (level one) and would normally be undertaken on a part-time basis over two years but modules can also be taken individually for personal development purposes. Students only need to attend the University once a fortnight as there is online learning available each alternate week. Gill said: “This is a much needed course for many assistant level practitioners working in the assistive technology arena; there is so little formal education available. This course can be a stepping stone to further qualifications and the flexible blended learning approach makes it possible for people to study and work at the same time.” Plans are underway with the HDTI to make learning while working even more accessible with the introduction of a Foundation Degree in Assistive Technology. These qualifications are designed with employers to combine academic study with workplace learning and partnership discussions are at an early stage with Skills for Care, TSA and other key organisations. They represent two-thirds of an honours degree and can be topped up to a full degree with an additional year of study. AT is also included in the Undergraduate Occupational Therapy degree programme and disabled volunteers set students tasks to solve their needs using AT. Laraine Epstein module leader for a second year AT module said: “We have been very creative in our approach and now use home webcams so that our disabled volunteers can share their stories and

AT tutors : (back) D and Gill arren Aw Ward ang and (fron

t l-r) Lara

ine Epstei

n

any barriers they encounter directly with students who then investigate potential solutions and feed these back.” This inclusive approach to teaching and learning earned the team a University Teaching Excellence Award in June 2008, followed by conferences and articles to disseminate good practice. To further engage support workers and practitioners in AT, course leaders are working with HDTI colleagues and the College of Occupational Therapists to develop a new online resource. The Assistive Technology Learning Tool currently being developed by the Occupational Therapy team uses case based scenarios to enable learners to explore AT solutions such as PivoTell products. PivoTell has developed AT products to support people who need to take pills as part of their healthcare routine. The online tool will increase awareness and skills around electronic AT and will be available in autumn 2009. Darren said: “It will be a valuable learning opportunity for anyone interested in AT – with or without an academic background in the subject – who want to be able to demonstrate up to date learning.” For more information contact: Darren Awang [email protected] or Gill Ward [email protected] or call + 44 (0) 24 7688 8724

7

Assistive Technology Education User-centred approaches to teaching Assistive Technology have increased Coventry University’s national reputation in the subject n ageing population has brought with it new challenges and the use of Assistive Technology in healthcare provision has grown rapidly in the last few years. The University’s Health Design and Technology Institute (HDTI) is taking a national lead on enabling products and services to reach the marketplace that help older and disabled people to live independently. But as new and improved products are continually released, practitioners need to be made aware of the kind of technologies available to better support patients. In January 2008, the University introduced a new Postgraduate certificate in the Effective Use of Assistive Technologies as part of a portfolio of courses with the HDTI. The course has now been extended to an MSc in Assistive Technology aimed at a range of health and social care practitioners, managers and people working in related industries who want to learn more about Assistive Technology solutions. In the last two academic years, 16 professionals have enrolled on the course, including telecare co-ordinators, alarm call centre managers, occupational therapists and support workers in mental health, dementia care and social services, independent sector workers and managers (for example, Alzheimer’s Society and Independent Living Centres) and the further education sector. Course Director Darren Awang said the diversity of students was a key strength of the course. “We get a range of Assistive Technology (AT) related experiences from service providers as well as perspectives from those that receive them. This has proven to be an enriching learning opportunity for our students who are able to offer expertise from their own workplace and take on board ideas to enhance policy and practice from others. Our students are the future trailblazers in AT.” 6

AT in action: The Pivotell Au tomatic Pill Di in a dispenser spenser tipper, designe d for those unable to lift the dispenser or with limite wrist dexterity d radial .

The modular Part-time course runs over one to five years, depending on the level of the qualification required. As students progress, a total of nine modules can be accrued and the points earned add up to a different level of Postgraduate award, which is an advantage to those students who do not wish to study all of the modules. Users of AT are at the centre of the course and a range of learning approaches and methods are used, including blended learning, work-based learning, shared learning and reflective practice. Students have access to the University’s virtual learning environment to support study and an electronic portfolio to engage with personal development planning. Darren said the variety of teaching methods makes it easier for students to balance work and personal commitments with study. “Students have found the experience very positive and developed a strong network of work and social contacts. Their assignments link to what is going on in the workplace and offer them the ability to critically appraise policies and practices. Students have gone on to raise the profile of AT within their own organisation with confidence and a sound set of principles, tools and skills to support this personal and professional growth. We also regularly complement the taught programme with product showcases to extend students knowledge of the rapidly growing types of AT products and services that exist.” For more of an introduction to AT, there is an Undergraduate Certificate in Assistive Technology for Life Improvement now available from September 2009. Developed by Course Director and Principal Lecturer in Assistive Technology Gill Ward, the course is aimed at care and support workers and assistant practitioners to provide an introduction to AT.

gramming le computer pro being 4 and 5 enab dication not PivoTell mark me t: of or t pp en su ev er Comput carer in the ily member / and alerts a fam a preset time. hin dispensed wit

It focuses on the service user’s perspective and experience of living with a disability and develops knowledge and skills to help practitioners improve the life and wellbeing of individuals through the use of assistive technologies. The course consists of the equivalent of six university modules (level one) and would normally be undertaken on a part-time basis over two years but modules can also be taken individually for personal development purposes. Students only need to attend the University once a fortnight as there is online learning available each alternate week. Gill said: “This is a much needed course for many assistant level practitioners working in the assistive technology arena; there is so little formal education available. This course can be a stepping stone to further qualifications and the flexible blended learning approach makes it possible for people to study and work at the same time.” Plans are underway with the HDTI to make learning while working even more accessible with the introduction of a Foundation Degree in Assistive Technology. These qualifications are designed with employers to combine academic study with workplace learning and partnership discussions are at an early stage with Skills for Care, TSA and other key organisations. They represent two-thirds of an honours degree and can be topped up to a full degree with an additional year of study. AT is also included in the Undergraduate Occupational Therapy degree programme and disabled volunteers set students tasks to solve their needs using AT. Laraine Epstein module leader for a second year AT module said: “We have been very creative in our approach and now use home webcams so that our disabled volunteers can share their stories and

AT tutors : (back) D and Gill arren Aw Ward ang and (fron

t l-r) Lara

ine Epstei

n

any barriers they encounter directly with students who then investigate potential solutions and feed these back.” This inclusive approach to teaching and learning earned the team a University Teaching Excellence Award in June 2008, followed by conferences and articles to disseminate good practice. To further engage support workers and practitioners in AT, course leaders are working with HDTI colleagues and the College of Occupational Therapists to develop a new online resource. The Assistive Technology Learning Tool currently being developed by the Occupational Therapy team uses case based scenarios to enable learners to explore AT solutions such as PivoTell products. PivoTell has developed AT products to support people who need to take pills as part of their healthcare routine. The online tool will increase awareness and skills around electronic AT and will be available in autumn 2009. Darren said: “It will be a valuable learning opportunity for anyone interested in AT – with or without an academic background in the subject – who want to be able to demonstrate up to date learning.” For more information contact: Darren Awang [email protected] or Gill Ward [email protected] or call + 44 (0) 24 7688 8724

7

A world of good A new plan to double the number of international students in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences over the next three years is already on route to success

t’s an ambitious plan to take on the world, but the six departments in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences are aiming to double the number of international students over the next three years. It is a goal in line with the University’s internationalisation strategy as well as one that takes advantage of the increasingly globalised health, social care and science agendas. Working closely with Cambridge Education Group (CEG), one of the foremost providers of pre-university preparation in the UK, the Faculty provides foundation routes for international students to get on to many of its courses. The Faculty is working with CEG on a number of broad initiatives. For example, 8

from September 2009 the Faculty will be offering a Life Sciences route for undergraduates wishing to study Psychology, Biological Sciences and Health Studies, and a Social Science route for Criminology and Forensic and Investigative Studies students. It also hopes to launch a Postgraduate foundation for students to gain entry to much of its non-clinical taught Postgraduate provision. The Faculty’s focus is not just on recruiting individual students either; it is also looking at ways to attract a cohort of students on to particular courses. Recently there have been discussions with new overseas partners to develop courses that students would want to study once they have graduated in

their home country. In many parts of the world, health professionals do not need an honours degree for professional registration and are therefore only trained to diploma level. So that these students can obtain a Coventry honours degree, the Faculty is developing top-up courses that take into account any qualification the students have previously received. The lack of clinical placements for students based outside the EU has historically been a barrier for international health students wanting to gain a UK postgraduate qualification. But new courses, such as the MSc in Advancing Physiotherapy Practice, avoid the need for a placement by offering students the use of the Faculty’s first class clinical skills laboratories instead. Elsewhere in the Faculty postgraduate courses are being developed that meet the needs of the many students who wish to study the Biological and Biomedical/Pharmacological Sciences in the UK. In some countries, science is taught in a much more theoretical way than in this country and international students can therefore find they do not have the practical skills necessary to study for a UK Postgraduate Biology qualification. However, the development of an MSc in Biology, which builds on the theoretical expertise of these students, will allow them to develop their laboratory experience. A new MSc in Translational Medicine also harnesses the diversity of expertise across the Faculty. Through this course, students are taught how to translate the science undertaken at the laboratory bench through to the drugs prescribed on the hospital ward. Alongside the efforts to internationalise the curriculum and attract international students to study at Coventry, the Faculty also works with its international partners to provide courses overseas. For example Psychology and Nursing courses are being developed in Malaysia and in India a grant from the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) is helping to develop a Physiotherapy course at M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Health Science in Bangalore. Using the expertise of the Centre for InterProfessional E-Learning (CiPEL), international students can even gain a Coventry qualification through online learning. The Faculty is already delivering courses globally, such as the Postgraduate certificate in Teenage and Young Person Cancer Care. This course, sponsored by the Teenage Cancer Trust, attracts students from across the globe and enables them to interact in real time with students in different countries, and with tutors back in Coventry. The Faculty’s expertise in social and health care leadership has created a range of online courses in Social and Community Studies that are studied by both UK and international students. And in Psychology,

the innovative online MSc in Parapsychology is being actively promoted to the North American market. The Faculty has been successful in developing partnerships, such as the one with the Teenage Cancer Trust, and has developed a reputation for involving all of its stakeholders – students, employers, placement providers, service users and partner institutions – in the provision of education in the Faculty. It now intends to expand its partnerships internationally and not just for course development, but also for research collaborations and across all facets of its business.

Dean of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Dr Linda Merriman (right) signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Masterskill University College of Health Sciences, Malaysia.

The most important aspects of the Faculty’s internationalisation are ultimately the quality of its courses and the student experience it offers. The Faculty is well recognised by students, employers, professional and statutory bodies as providing high quality education across its many disciplines. Evidence of this includes its ranking among the highest quality UK providers of nursing education by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and being the first institution in the Midlands to gain Health Professions Council approval for its Biomedical Science degree. This commitment to quality is central to the efforts the Faculty makes to enhance the learning experience for international students. Not only is the Faculty designing courses specifically tailored towards the needs of international students but also some staff are actively undertaking research projects into the most effective ways to support international students. Nationally and internationally the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is dedicated to providing an excellent educational experience for all its students. For more information about the Faculty’s commitment to international students visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/hls/international 9

A world of good A new plan to double the number of international students in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences over the next three years is already on route to success

t’s an ambitious plan to take on the world, but the six departments in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences are aiming to double the number of international students over the next three years. It is a goal in line with the University’s internationalisation strategy as well as one that takes advantage of the increasingly globalised health, social care and science agendas. Working closely with Cambridge Education Group (CEG), one of the foremost providers of pre-university preparation in the UK, the Faculty provides foundation routes for international students to get on to many of its courses. The Faculty is working with CEG on a number of broad initiatives. For example, 8

from September 2009 the Faculty will be offering a Life Sciences route for undergraduates wishing to study Psychology, Biological Sciences and Health Studies, and a Social Science route for Criminology and Forensic and Investigative Studies students. It also hopes to launch a Postgraduate foundation for students to gain entry to much of its non-clinical taught Postgraduate provision. The Faculty’s focus is not just on recruiting individual students either; it is also looking at ways to attract a cohort of students on to particular courses. Recently there have been discussions with new overseas partners to develop courses that students would want to study once they have graduated in

their home country. In many parts of the world, health professionals do not need an honours degree for professional registration and are therefore only trained to diploma level. So that these students can obtain a Coventry honours degree, the Faculty is developing top-up courses that take into account any qualification the students have previously received. The lack of clinical placements for students based outside the EU has historically been a barrier for international health students wanting to gain a UK postgraduate qualification. But new courses, such as the MSc in Advancing Physiotherapy Practice, avoid the need for a placement by offering students the use of the Faculty’s first class clinical skills laboratories instead. Elsewhere in the Faculty postgraduate courses are being developed that meet the needs of the many students who wish to study the Biological and Biomedical/Pharmacological Sciences in the UK. In some countries, science is taught in a much more theoretical way than in this country and international students can therefore find they do not have the practical skills necessary to study for a UK Postgraduate Biology qualification. However, the development of an MSc in Biology, which builds on the theoretical expertise of these students, will allow them to develop their laboratory experience. A new MSc in Translational Medicine also harnesses the diversity of expertise across the Faculty. Through this course, students are taught how to translate the science undertaken at the laboratory bench through to the drugs prescribed on the hospital ward. Alongside the efforts to internationalise the curriculum and attract international students to study at Coventry, the Faculty also works with its international partners to provide courses overseas. For example Psychology and Nursing courses are being developed in Malaysia and in India a grant from the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) is helping to develop a Physiotherapy course at M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Health Science in Bangalore. Using the expertise of the Centre for InterProfessional E-Learning (CiPEL), international students can even gain a Coventry qualification through online learning. The Faculty is already delivering courses globally, such as the Postgraduate certificate in Teenage and Young Person Cancer Care. This course, sponsored by the Teenage Cancer Trust, attracts students from across the globe and enables them to interact in real time with students in different countries, and with tutors back in Coventry. The Faculty’s expertise in social and health care leadership has created a range of online courses in Social and Community Studies that are studied by both UK and international students. And in Psychology,

the innovative online MSc in Parapsychology is being actively promoted to the North American market. The Faculty has been successful in developing partnerships, such as the one with the Teenage Cancer Trust, and has developed a reputation for involving all of its stakeholders – students, employers, placement providers, service users and partner institutions – in the provision of education in the Faculty. It now intends to expand its partnerships internationally and not just for course development, but also for research collaborations and across all facets of its business.

Dean of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Dr Linda Merriman (right) signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Masterskill University College of Health Sciences, Malaysia.

The most important aspects of the Faculty’s internationalisation are ultimately the quality of its courses and the student experience it offers. The Faculty is well recognised by students, employers, professional and statutory bodies as providing high quality education across its many disciplines. Evidence of this includes its ranking among the highest quality UK providers of nursing education by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and being the first institution in the Midlands to gain Health Professions Council approval for its Biomedical Science degree. This commitment to quality is central to the efforts the Faculty makes to enhance the learning experience for international students. Not only is the Faculty designing courses specifically tailored towards the needs of international students but also some staff are actively undertaking research projects into the most effective ways to support international students. Nationally and internationally the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is dedicated to providing an excellent educational experience for all its students. For more information about the Faculty’s commitment to international students visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/hls/international 9

Better involvement Now that user involvement is part of the mainstream policy agendas in health and social care, the practise is being encouraged even more in higher education. Martin Bollard reveals how Coventry has faced the challenges of involving service users to enhance student learning

nvolving service users in education has long been regarded as a healthy contribution to the classroom. Recent political drivers to modernise the delivery of health and social care services through active service user participation demonstrate the eagerness of Government for the practise to be widely used. It is not a new concept in Higher Education, but HEFCE’s Strategic Plan 2006-2011 has endorsed the use of service user involvement to ensure it is part of academic activities. The benefits are clear but there is additional time, planning and logistics often associated with developing this aspect of teaching and clinical work that also need to be considered. Many of the challenges surrounding the involvement of users

in educational activities are universal across the Higher Education sector. Overcoming the cries of ‘tokenism’ and ‘populism’ and ensuring effective payment methods to the variety of users that help enhance the learning of our student body are just a few of the pressures involved. At Coventry, some members of academic staff across the Faculty are working with Human Resources and Finance staff to improve the payment methods for our users. Professionally-based courses have worked hard to value the contribution users can make to complement the learning that already takes place and the following are examples from Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Physiotherapy, Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing courses.

Cl in ic al Ps yc h ol og y

y ha s inv olv ed se rvi ce in Cli nic al Ps yc ho log e urs co ce e rat cto Do Th e 20 03 . Th ere are se rvi the pro gra mm e sin ce the of g nin run us ers an d ca rer s in the ers ee s the Bo ard , wh ich ov , us ers an d ca rer s on h tea ch ing , res ea rch wit ed olv inv o als are y the d an e, to pro gra mm vin g ac ce ss un se llin g sk ills , im pro ls. se lec tin g tra ine es , co ing fun din g pro po sa lop ve de d ies (IA PT ) an s rer ca d an ers us ps yc ho log ica l the rap inv olv ed se rvi ce s ha ing ch tea t the firs y h Sp ec ific all lla bo rat ed wit the firs t ye ar the y co In . ion d an reg to the g s nin ros fro m ac ion ca lle d, ‘Li ste lf-d ay tea ch ing se ss ha a d in an es ers ine us tra ce ar ye rvi ce s.’ Se rvi of Me nta l He alt h Se in wo rki ng wit h Us ers l he alt h se rvi ce s an d nta me of es pe rie nc uld lik e wo y the w ca rer s sh are d the ir ex ho id sa y ion s wit h tra ine es the sm all gro up dis cu ss al ps yc ho log y. in the tra ini ng of cli nic ed olv inv re mo be to s be en us ed by the tea ch ing se ss ion s ha me t reg ula rly for Th e ou tco me of the se hip gro up , wh o ha ve ers rtn pa rer ca d an se rvi ce us er ma ny ye ars . ye ar tra ine es on ss ion inv olv es se co nd to A se co nd tea ch ing se se rvi ce us er or ca rer al org an isa tio n of a o als It s. a ful l-d ay vis it to a loc ern nc co an isa tio ns an d the ir bu ild kn ow led ge of org rer s an d de ve lop s ca d an ers us h wit ion ine e inc rea se s co lla bo rat Aft er the da y the tra ion al org an isa tio ns . reg h wit ips sh it. on vis ati ir rel ou t the res t of the co urs e ab se mu st fee db ac k to the s be en ac tiv e in all the ha ni lifa Ka ng bli Lie len He g rer hin ctu ac Se nio r Le ive rsi tie s/U se r Te ise s clo se ly wit h Un ty. de ve lop me nts an d lia ) at Wa rw ick Un ive rsi AP TR Pa rtn ers hip (UN n tio Ac h arc se Re d an

Ph ys io th er ap y So cia l Wor k

rs from a dive rse rang e of Invo lvin g serv ice use rs and care mes . teac hing of Soc ial Wor k pro gram bac kgro und s has ben efite d the s, blem pro lth hea tal airm ent, men Ser vice use rs with a visu al imp with ple peo r olde ple, peo ng y, you a lear ning or phy sica l disa bilit n wom en from Sah il hav e all Asia and rs care ve ecti resp r thei rs ps, the serv ice use rs and care con trib uted . With all thes e grou in ents stud t por sup to exp erie nce sha re thei r exp ertis e, idea s and vice Ser . tice prac and ry theo een mak ing the imp orta nt link s betw ual imp orta nt con trib utio n to the ann an e mak also rs care and rs use t van rele is ing that Soc ial Wor k train Stu den t Rec all Day, to ens ure and fit for pur pos e. rea Hor ley and coll eag ues are Ser vice Use r Coo rdin ator And vidu als to ens ure the leve l of indi dev elop ing way s of scre enin g ing to use rs them selv es and are hop invo lvem ent is stee red by the ice serv of p grou a for es train ing pilo t som e Ant i Opp ress ive/ Valu use rs/c arer s this sum mer.

10

The Phy siot hera py dep artm ent has invo lved serv ice use rs in deli veri ng lect ures and in prac tica l ses sion s ove r rece nt yea rs and see its con trib utio n as a key obje ctiv e. Ser vice use rs act as pati ent mod els for stud ents to wor k alon gsid e and at the sam e time can sha re thei r indi vidu al exp erie nce of livin g with a con ditio n. Foc us grou ps with serv ice use rs high ligh ted sev eral fact ors that were imp orta nt to them abo ut thei r exp erie nce of phy siot hera py and as a dire ct resu lt the adm issi ons team has mad e cha nge s to the non -aca dem ic adm issi on crite ria for the Phy siot hera py pro gram me. Cha nge s hav e also bee n mad e to the curr icul um to emp has ise the imp orta nce of pro fess iona lism and com mun icat ion skil ls, incl udin g emp athy, goo d liste ning skil ls and the imp orta nce of hav ing a pos itive attit ude and a sen se of hum our. Sho win g resp ect for serv ice use rs was also see n as ess enti al and was inte gral to the pati ent- ther apis t rela tion ship . To this end , serv ice use rs hav e now con trib uted to recr uitm ent, curr icul um dev elop men t and teac hing with in the dep artm ent.

11

Better involvement Now that user involvement is part of the mainstream policy agendas in health and social care, the practise is being encouraged even more in higher education. Martin Bollard reveals how Coventry has faced the challenges of involving service users to enhance student learning

nvolving service users in education has long been regarded as a healthy contribution to the classroom. Recent political drivers to modernise the delivery of health and social care services through active service user participation demonstrate the eagerness of Government for the practise to be widely used. It is not a new concept in Higher Education, but HEFCE’s Strategic Plan 2006-2011 has endorsed the use of service user involvement to ensure it is part of academic activities. The benefits are clear but there is additional time, planning and logistics often associated with developing this aspect of teaching and clinical work that also need to be considered. Many of the challenges surrounding the involvement of users

in educational activities are universal across the Higher Education sector. Overcoming the cries of ‘tokenism’ and ‘populism’ and ensuring effective payment methods to the variety of users that help enhance the learning of our student body are just a few of the pressures involved. At Coventry, some members of academic staff across the Faculty are working with Human Resources and Finance staff to improve the payment methods for our users. Professionally-based courses have worked hard to value the contribution users can make to complement the learning that already takes place and the following are examples from Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Physiotherapy, Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing courses.

Cl in ic al Ps yc h ol og y

y ha s inv olv ed se rvi ce in Cli nic al Ps yc ho log e urs co ce e rat cto Do Th e 20 03 . Th ere are se rvi the pro gra mm e sin ce the of g nin run us ers an d ca rer s in the ers ee s the Bo ard , wh ich ov , us ers an d ca rer s on h tea ch ing , res ea rch wit ed olv inv o als are y the d an e, to pro gra mm vin g ac ce ss un se llin g sk ills , im pro ls. se lec tin g tra ine es , co ing fun din g pro po sa lop ve de d ies (IA PT ) an s rer ca d an ers us ps yc ho log ica l the rap inv olv ed se rvi ce s ha ing ch tea t the firs y h Sp ec ific all lla bo rat ed wit the firs t ye ar the y co In . ion d an reg to the g s nin ros fro m ac ion ca lle d, ‘Li ste lf-d ay tea ch ing se ss ha a d in an es ers ine us tra ce ar ye rvi ce s.’ Se rvi of Me nta l He alt h Se in wo rki ng wit h Us ers l he alt h se rvi ce s an d nta me of es pe rie nc uld lik e wo y the w ca rer s sh are d the ir ex ho id sa y ion s wit h tra ine es the sm all gro up dis cu ss al ps yc ho log y. in the tra ini ng of cli nic ed olv inv re mo be to s be en us ed by the tea ch ing se ss ion s ha me t reg ula rly for Th e ou tco me of the se hip gro up , wh o ha ve ers rtn pa rer ca d an se rvi ce us er ma ny ye ars . ye ar tra ine es on ss ion inv olv es se co nd to A se co nd tea ch ing se se rvi ce us er or ca rer al org an isa tio n of a o als It s. a ful l-d ay vis it to a loc ern nc co an isa tio ns an d the ir bu ild kn ow led ge of org rer s an d de ve lop s ca d an ers us h wit ion ine e inc rea se s co lla bo rat Aft er the da y the tra ion al org an isa tio ns . reg h wit ips sh it. on vis ati ir rel ou t the res t of the co urs e ab se mu st fee db ac k to the s be en ac tiv e in all the ha ni lifa Ka ng bli Lie len He g rer hin ctu ac Se nio r Le ive rsi tie s/U se r Te ise s clo se ly wit h Un ty. de ve lop me nts an d lia ) at Wa rw ick Un ive rsi AP TR Pa rtn ers hip (UN n tio Ac h arc se Re d an

Ph ys io th er ap y So cia l Wor k

rs from a dive rse rang e of Invo lvin g serv ice use rs and care mes . teac hing of Soc ial Wor k pro gram bac kgro und s has ben efite d the s, blem pro lth hea tal airm ent, men Ser vice use rs with a visu al imp with ple peo r olde ple, peo ng y, you a lear ning or phy sica l disa bilit n wom en from Sah il hav e all Asia and rs care ve ecti resp r thei rs ps, the serv ice use rs and care con trib uted . With all thes e grou in ents stud t por sup to exp erie nce sha re thei r exp ertis e, idea s and vice Ser . tice prac and ry theo een mak ing the imp orta nt link s betw ual imp orta nt con trib utio n to the ann an e mak also rs care and rs use t van rele is ing that Soc ial Wor k train Stu den t Rec all Day, to ens ure and fit for pur pos e. rea Hor ley and coll eag ues are Ser vice Use r Coo rdin ator And vidu als to ens ure the leve l of indi dev elop ing way s of scre enin g ing to use rs them selv es and are hop invo lvem ent is stee red by the ice serv of p grou a for es train ing pilo t som e Ant i Opp ress ive/ Valu use rs/c arer s this sum mer.

10

The Phy siot hera py dep artm ent has invo lved serv ice use rs in deli veri ng lect ures and in prac tica l ses sion s ove r rece nt yea rs and see its con trib utio n as a key obje ctiv e. Ser vice use rs act as pati ent mod els for stud ents to wor k alon gsid e and at the sam e time can sha re thei r indi vidu al exp erie nce of livin g with a con ditio n. Foc us grou ps with serv ice use rs high ligh ted sev eral fact ors that were imp orta nt to them abo ut thei r exp erie nce of phy siot hera py and as a dire ct resu lt the adm issi ons team has mad e cha nge s to the non -aca dem ic adm issi on crite ria for the Phy siot hera py pro gram me. Cha nge s hav e also bee n mad e to the curr icul um to emp has ise the imp orta nce of pro fess iona lism and com mun icat ion skil ls, incl udin g emp athy, goo d liste ning skil ls and the imp orta nce of hav ing a pos itive attit ude and a sen se of hum our. Sho win g resp ect for serv ice use rs was also see n as ess enti al and was inte gral to the pati ent- ther apis t rela tion ship . To this end , serv ice use rs hav e now con trib uted to recr uitm ent, curr icul um dev elop men t and teac hing with in the dep artm ent.

11

Better involvement

M e nt al He al th Nu rs in g

gral to man y Men tal Hea lth Use r invo lvem ent has bee n inte ior on for a num ber of yea rs. Sen cati Edu pro gram mes with in Hig her from ues eag coll and wn Yve tte Bro Lec ture r in Men tal Hea lth Nur sing e rity in Eng land and Wal es, hav cha lth hea tal men ing lead MIN D, the take lth volu ntee rs befo re they focu sed on prep arin g men tal hea y hav e dev elop ed awa rene ss The . vity acti part in any edu cati ona l hing indu ctio n pac ks to dev elop teac and indu ctio n day s, alon g with ity. vers Uni the nd arou ion ntat orie skil ls, buil d con fide nce and give rvie w gral to the recr uitm ent and inte inte also are rs use lth Hea tal Men pro ces s for stud ents . efit from hea ring the first han d Men tal hea lth stud ents now ben e of tal hea lth diso rder s from a rang exp erie nce s of livin g with men serv ice use rs.

Le ar n in g D is ab il i t y N ur si ng

Th e Le arn ing Dis ab ilit y Nu rsi ng pro gra mm e wa s co mm iss ion ed an d es tab lis he d in 20 05 fol low ing a wid e co ns ult ati on wit h pe wit h lea rni ng dis ab ilit op le ies . Th e pro gra mm e wa s de ve lop ed us ing the ir fee db ac k to en su re it cre ate d nu rse s wit h the att rib ute s co ns ult ati on ha d hig the hli gh ted . Ma ny of the us ers wh o we re inv olv ed in the co ns ult ati on sti ll he lp wit h a ran ge of ed uc ati on al ac tiv itie s tha t inc lud e tea ch rec rui tin g sta ff an d stu ing an d de nts . A pa rtn ers hip be tw ee n loc al ad vo ca cy org an isa tio n (G rap ev ine in pa rtic ula r the H Te ), am fro m tha t org an isa tio n, an d the Le arn ing Dis ab ilit y Te am is no w we ll es tab lis he d. Me mb ers of the H Te am as sis t wit h co mm un ica tio n tra ini ng for firs t ye ar stu de nts , the as se ss me nt of me nta l he alt h for se co nd ye ar stu de nts an d rol e pla y/s im ula tio n ac tiv itie s for thi rd ye ar stu de nts . All Le arn ing Dis ab ilit y sta ff are co mm itte d to su pp ort ing us efu inv olv em en t an d se e l it as an im po rta nt wa y to en ric h the lea rni of the stu de nts ac ros ng s the Fa cu lty.

12

New HDTI building opens for business

new iconic building for the Health Design and Technology Institute opened for the first time this June. Based on the Technology Park, next door to its former offices in the Design Hub, the new HDTI building is an impressive construction made from brick, glass and zinc. The Institute, which was set up to take a national lead in responding to the future challenges of community healthcare provision, has developed the building to further enhance its work in this area. HDTI helps individuals and businesses launch new and improved products and services that enable people to live independent and fulfilled lives in their own homes and communities, rather than in hospital. Developing these innovative products will be easier now that designers and service users can make use of a new design studio, a dedicated workshop for building prototypes and a mock up area. The flexible mock up space can be customised to suit most evaluation requirements and includes vehicle access. Clients can also rent the space, which has been set up to ensure confidentiality and Intellectual Property are protected. Service users who are taking part in product trials can enjoy the relaxing environment of the new usability suite, which includes a lounge area with comfortable furnishings. Commercial Development Director, Guy Smallman

said the new suite would be an enormous help in carrying out applied research and gathering data. “Monitoring and recording focus groups using discreet cameras and microphones controlled by a remote audiovisual lab is essential as it helps participants feel more at ease,” said Guy. “Usability studies enable clients to validate a product’s performance and get it tested by the intended end users. The report produced at the end of the study is a rigorous, academic or healthcare professional-led document that can be cited by a company in its marketing materials.” The design of the building, which includes a bistro and seating area on the first floor, encourages collaboration between businesses, academics, healthcare professionals and users. There are also hot desking facilities for University employees and two seminar rooms, which can be rented out and have already been used for lectures and HDTI business seminars. The second floor is available for companies to rent and most spaces are now taken. The ergonomic and inclusive design of the building is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, providing easy access for all occupants. It includes an innovative disabled parking scheme, hearing loop systems, appropriate floor and wall coverings, colour schemes and furniture which allow effective depth perception for the partially sighted. 13

Better involvement

M e nt al He al th Nu rs in g

gral to man y Men tal Hea lth Use r invo lvem ent has bee n inte ior on for a num ber of yea rs. Sen cati Edu pro gram mes with in Hig her from ues eag coll and wn Yve tte Bro Lec ture r in Men tal Hea lth Nur sing e rity in Eng land and Wal es, hav cha lth hea tal men ing lead MIN D, the take lth volu ntee rs befo re they focu sed on prep arin g men tal hea y hav e dev elop ed awa rene ss The . vity acti part in any edu cati ona l hing indu ctio n pac ks to dev elop teac and indu ctio n day s, alon g with ity. vers Uni the nd arou ion ntat orie skil ls, buil d con fide nce and give rvie w gral to the recr uitm ent and inte inte also are rs use lth Hea tal Men pro ces s for stud ents . efit from hea ring the first han d Men tal hea lth stud ents now ben e of tal hea lth diso rder s from a rang exp erie nce s of livin g with men serv ice use rs.

Le ar n in g D is ab il i t y N ur si ng

Th e Le arn ing Dis ab ilit y Nu rsi ng pro gra mm e wa s co mm iss ion ed an d es tab lis he d in 20 05 fol low ing a wid e co ns ult ati on wit h pe wit h lea rni ng dis ab ilit op le ies . Th e pro gra mm e wa s de ve lop ed us ing the ir fee db ac k to en su re it cre ate d nu rse s wit h the att rib ute s co ns ult ati on ha d hig the hli gh ted . Ma ny of the us ers wh o we re inv olv ed in the co ns ult ati on sti ll he lp wit h a ran ge of ed uc ati on al ac tiv itie s tha t inc lud e tea ch rec rui tin g sta ff an d stu ing an d de nts . A pa rtn ers hip be tw ee n loc al ad vo ca cy org an isa tio n (G rap ev ine in pa rtic ula r the H Te ), am fro m tha t org an isa tio n, an d the Le arn ing Dis ab ilit y Te am is no w we ll es tab lis he d. Me mb ers of the H Te am as sis t wit h co mm un ica tio n tra ini ng for firs t ye ar stu de nts , the as se ss me nt of me nta l he alt h for se co nd ye ar stu de nts an d rol e pla y/s im ula tio n ac tiv itie s for thi rd ye ar stu de nts . All Le arn ing Dis ab ilit y sta ff are co mm itte d to su pp ort ing us efu inv olv em en t an d se e l it as an im po rta nt wa y to en ric h the lea rni of the stu de nts ac ros ng s the Fa cu lty.

12

New HDTI building opens for business

new iconic building for the Health Design and Technology Institute opened for the first time this June. Based on the Technology Park, next door to its former offices in the Design Hub, the new HDTI building is an impressive construction made from brick, glass and zinc. The Institute, which was set up to take a national lead in responding to the future challenges of community healthcare provision, has developed the building to further enhance its work in this area. HDTI helps individuals and businesses launch new and improved products and services that enable people to live independent and fulfilled lives in their own homes and communities, rather than in hospital. Developing these innovative products will be easier now that designers and service users can make use of a new design studio, a dedicated workshop for building prototypes and a mock up area. The flexible mock up space can be customised to suit most evaluation requirements and includes vehicle access. Clients can also rent the space, which has been set up to ensure confidentiality and Intellectual Property are protected. Service users who are taking part in product trials can enjoy the relaxing environment of the new usability suite, which includes a lounge area with comfortable furnishings. Commercial Development Director, Guy Smallman

said the new suite would be an enormous help in carrying out applied research and gathering data. “Monitoring and recording focus groups using discreet cameras and microphones controlled by a remote audiovisual lab is essential as it helps participants feel more at ease,” said Guy. “Usability studies enable clients to validate a product’s performance and get it tested by the intended end users. The report produced at the end of the study is a rigorous, academic or healthcare professional-led document that can be cited by a company in its marketing materials.” The design of the building, which includes a bistro and seating area on the first floor, encourages collaboration between businesses, academics, healthcare professionals and users. There are also hot desking facilities for University employees and two seminar rooms, which can be rented out and have already been used for lectures and HDTI business seminars. The second floor is available for companies to rent and most spaces are now taken. The ergonomic and inclusive design of the building is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, providing easy access for all occupants. It includes an innovative disabled parking scheme, hearing loop systems, appropriate floor and wall coverings, colour schemes and furniture which allow effective depth perception for the partially sighted. 13

Putting theory into practice Visiting Professor Bryan Stoten plays a major role in local and national healthcare policy and believes academia, especially Coventry University, is vital to the future of the UK’s health service Q. As well as your role as a Visiting Professor at Coventry, what else do you do? A. I am also a Fellow of the University of Warwick Business School and I’m Chairman of the joint commissioning board for NHS Coventry and Warwickshire. We spend £1.3-1.4bn a year on the health service across the city and the county. I’m also Chairman of the National Health Service Confederation, an organisation that represents the whole of the NHS to Government. It is a voluntary, independent body but we have virtually 100% membership from NHS organisations. I’m Director of the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre, which was set up by the Health Development Agency half a decade ago to implement the Government’s tobacco policies and most especially make work places and public places compliant. I am also Chief Executive of Public Management Associates (PMA) an independent public health research organisation working with local authorities through major changes. My weeks consist of hop-scotching between my academic interests, my local Warwickshire interests and my national NHS interests. Q. What do you see as the current priorities of the health service? A. The reality is over the next half decade any Government is committed to borrowing around £700bn to fund public service activities and that is a monumental challenge – far greater than anything we have ever seen before. Coming out of the recession is not going to resolve those problems in any way either. My job – both as an academic as well as in a practical, hands-on role – is to ensure we manage the resources available to the health service in ways that have the greatest impact on improving the health of the nation. 14

I believe that only by dealing with public health issues such as tobacco control, addressing health inequalities and improving breast feeding rates, are we likely to come through the next five to seven years in reasonably good shape. Q. What interests you the most about health policy? A. How we address the unequal health experiences in Britain. We have got an extraordinary gap in life expectancy between the poorest and the richest in our society. And the overall effect of that is to diminish all of us, not just the poor but the most affluent too. Professor Richard Wilson has written about this most recently in his book The Spirit Level and he points out that it’s not the richest societies in terms of gross domestic product which are the healthiest, it is the societies which are egalitarian, where no one is allowed to fall off the wagon. In Scandinavian social democracies we find far better health experiences, not just for the poor but for the rich also. The more equal a society the better is the health of everyone. That’s intellectually really interesting. Coventry University has the most to offer here because it educates professional staff that go out and engage with the very people experiencing those inequalities. Understanding what that means and addressing those issues, as academic researchers as well as NHS practitioners, is the most exciting and valuable thing we could do at the moment in the health service. Q. What drew you to academia? A. After my first degree I did Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Africa but unusually I found myself teaching social science in the University of Malawi – the fifth poorest nation in the world. It was that understanding of how academic thought could be practical that drew me

into this. I returned to England to do a higher degree and ended up staying at Birmingham University to set up a Health Services Management Centre just at the point where the NHS was undergoing its first major reorganisation since its inception in 1948. The realisation that you really could make a difference from a university base drew me into academia. It was for that reason I also allowed myself to be put on the Birmingham Health Authority and a whole variety of other organisations. I have rattled around the system but always with that academic interest behind it. What excites me most is the idea of grounded theory and it’s that balance between the world of academia on the one hand and practice on the other that motivates me. Making sense of the pragmatic interventions we make to improve health in our society is what is most valuable. Q. What role can Coventry play in the future of healthcare? A. We educate the frontline troops – the clinical staff, the nursing staff, the physiotherapists, the raft of professions allied to medicine, the people who are in hands-on contact with the patients and carers on a daily basis. We also think about how to improve the ways in which those services are provided. In terms of the applied sciences and applied information technology, Coventry is up there with the best and doing really innovative and challenging work – it is potentially at the very forefront of the next wave of technological advances in healthcare. Professor Louise Wallace has been leading groundbreaking academic research in this area and I think her work is as important as anything else being done at the moment across the public health sphere in the NHS. My priority for the next couple of years is to address what I think is the most severe challenge we’ve had in the NHS specifically and in the public sector generally in terms of reductions in resources. There are likely to be 10-15 percent reductions in the resources available and I want to be part of the answer to that and how we handle it in ways that don’t affect service. Coventry can make an incredibly powerful contribution too by being at the forefront of developing solutions and answers to those issues rather than just analysing them, It was Karl Marx who said ‘philosophers have only interpreted the world. The point is to change it!’ and universities like Coventry understand that. There’s no sterility in the work Coventry does, it is using practical forensic analysis to craft solutions to the challenges that we confront. 15

Putting theory into practice Visiting Professor Bryan Stoten plays a major role in local and national healthcare policy and believes academia, especially Coventry University, is vital to the future of the UK’s health service Q. As well as your role as a Visiting Professor at Coventry, what else do you do? A. I am also a Fellow of the University of Warwick Business School and I’m Chairman of the joint commissioning board for NHS Coventry and Warwickshire. We spend £1.3-1.4bn a year on the health service across the city and the county. I’m also Chairman of the National Health Service Confederation, an organisation that represents the whole of the NHS to Government. It is a voluntary, independent body but we have virtually 100% membership from NHS organisations. I’m Director of the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre, which was set up by the Health Development Agency half a decade ago to implement the Government’s tobacco policies and most especially make work places and public places compliant. I am also Chief Executive of Public Management Associates (PMA) an independent public health research organisation working with local authorities through major changes. My weeks consist of hop-scotching between my academic interests, my local Warwickshire interests and my national NHS interests. Q. What do you see as the current priorities of the health service? A. The reality is over the next half decade any Government is committed to borrowing around £700bn to fund public service activities and that is a monumental challenge – far greater than anything we have ever seen before. Coming out of the recession is not going to resolve those problems in any way either. My job – both as an academic as well as in a practical, hands-on role – is to ensure we manage the resources available to the health service in ways that have the greatest impact on improving the health of the nation. 14

I believe that only by dealing with public health issues such as tobacco control, addressing health inequalities and improving breast feeding rates, are we likely to come through the next five to seven years in reasonably good shape. Q. What interests you the most about health policy? A. How we address the unequal health experiences in Britain. We have got an extraordinary gap in life expectancy between the poorest and the richest in our society. And the overall effect of that is to diminish all of us, not just the poor but the most affluent too. Professor Richard Wilson has written about this most recently in his book The Spirit Level and he points out that it’s not the richest societies in terms of gross domestic product which are the healthiest, it is the societies which are egalitarian, where no one is allowed to fall off the wagon. In Scandinavian social democracies we find far better health experiences, not just for the poor but for the rich also. The more equal a society the better is the health of everyone. That’s intellectually really interesting. Coventry University has the most to offer here because it educates professional staff that go out and engage with the very people experiencing those inequalities. Understanding what that means and addressing those issues, as academic researchers as well as NHS practitioners, is the most exciting and valuable thing we could do at the moment in the health service. Q. What drew you to academia? A. After my first degree I did Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Africa but unusually I found myself teaching social science in the University of Malawi – the fifth poorest nation in the world. It was that understanding of how academic thought could be practical that drew me

into this. I returned to England to do a higher degree and ended up staying at Birmingham University to set up a Health Services Management Centre just at the point where the NHS was undergoing its first major reorganisation since its inception in 1948. The realisation that you really could make a difference from a university base drew me into academia. It was for that reason I also allowed myself to be put on the Birmingham Health Authority and a whole variety of other organisations. I have rattled around the system but always with that academic interest behind it. What excites me most is the idea of grounded theory and it’s that balance between the world of academia on the one hand and practice on the other that motivates me. Making sense of the pragmatic interventions we make to improve health in our society is what is most valuable. Q. What role can Coventry play in the future of healthcare? A. We educate the frontline troops – the clinical staff, the nursing staff, the physiotherapists, the raft of professions allied to medicine, the people who are in hands-on contact with the patients and carers on a daily basis. We also think about how to improve the ways in which those services are provided. In terms of the applied sciences and applied information technology, Coventry is up there with the best and doing really innovative and challenging work – it is potentially at the very forefront of the next wave of technological advances in healthcare. Professor Louise Wallace has been leading groundbreaking academic research in this area and I think her work is as important as anything else being done at the moment across the public health sphere in the NHS. My priority for the next couple of years is to address what I think is the most severe challenge we’ve had in the NHS specifically and in the public sector generally in terms of reductions in resources. There are likely to be 10-15 percent reductions in the resources available and I want to be part of the answer to that and how we handle it in ways that don’t affect service. Coventry can make an incredibly powerful contribution too by being at the forefront of developing solutions and answers to those issues rather than just analysing them, It was Karl Marx who said ‘philosophers have only interpreted the world. The point is to change it!’ and universities like Coventry understand that. There’s no sterility in the work Coventry does, it is using practical forensic analysis to craft solutions to the challenges that we confront. 15

career

Develop your

fiting you in the workplace. Your training may already be bene your career further? Why not let Coventry enhance

offers you the chance to add a range Postgraduate and part-time study and advance your career options. of specialist skills to your portfolio Development (CPD) training We also offer Continuing Professional of Lifelong Learning to further programmes through our School enhance your career progression. duate and Part-time open Come along to one of our Postgra find out about the opportunities:

days to

12 November 4pm – 7pm 14 November 10am – 2pm advise you about our courses Subject experts will be available to ed facilities for Postgraduate, and you can tour round our dedicat s. ional Development (CPD) student Part-time and Continuing Profess te & CPD Centre, Jaguar Our open days take place in the Gradua , accessible from Gosford Street, Building on the City Centre campus off Junction 3 of the ring road.

register: For further information and to ac.uk Email: gradopendays.uni@coventry. duate Visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/postgra Call: +44 (0) 24 7688 8614

Fu ll- t ime Un de rg radu ate o p e n d ays: 10 October a nd 24 October 9 am-4pm

Re ad me ag a in ON LINE!

Now you can rea d Health magazine online – and look through previous issues of the public ation. If you have been missing out on you r copies of Health , catch up now at www.coventry.ac

.uk/healthmagazi

ore e to find out m If you would lik within this les tic ar e th about any of quiry ve a general en issue, if you ha , or to ch ar se re ed about appli of Health, future issues subscribe to t: please contac missions Marketing Ad Gail Williams, culty of Fa er, ag ent Man and Recruitm s ce ien Sc e Lif Health and 5983 44 (0) 24 7679 Telephone: + ventry.ac.uk co s@ m ia ill Email: gail.w c.uk/health w.coventry.a Website: ww

16

Horne m the Robert ive 75 Matt fro overed fibre Printed on Rev least 75% rec at s tain con 14001 Group, which t holds the ISO ed at a mill tha pulp is and is produc nagement. The ma l nta me environ ntal Chlorine certificate for ation of Eleme bin com a ng methods. bleached usi ne Free (TCF) Totally Chlori Free (ECF) and

ne