Coffey, M and Coufopoulos, A 2010, 'Creating a ‘Health Promoting Curriculum’ to inform the development of a health promoting university: a case study' , International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 48 (1) , pp. 4-8.

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Abstract

Objective: Final year undergraduate students, undertaking a health promotion module, were asked to reflect on their experiences of contributing to the strategic development of a health promoting university. As part of this module students were engaged in carrying out a health needs assessment(HNA) in order to inform the development of a health promoting university and enhance the curriculum. Design: This case study was conducted with forty students, and used un-moderated focus groups (n = 9) where students recorded their experiences of carrying out a HNA. Results: Key findings of the students’ refl ections(rather than of the health needs assessment) are presented in this paper. Students reported that by carrying out a HNA they: developed an understanding of the links between theory and practice; developed communication and networking skills; found the assessment meaningful; welcomed the opportunity to make a difference; could identify improvements that could have been made, along with challenges to carrying out their work and health gains. Conclusion: This study has shown how the student learning experience has been enhanced, whilst at the same time the university (and potentially the wider community) will potentially benefi t from the HNA that was carried out. Ultimately, the students were able to ‘reach the parts that other researchers can’t reach’, i.e. explore complex issues amongst their fellow peers.

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