Work and Health

Based on the national strategy for joint efforts for work and health and based on relevant research literature, the subject will elucidate and discuss matters that are important for sustainable participation in paid employment. Teaching will emphasize the challenges facing different groups such as youth, immigrants, elderly and people with reduced functional ability for whatever reason. Perspectives from health promotion, prevention and rehabilitation are integrated. The course clarifies how cultural, organizational and social conditions both inhibit and promote a person's or groups' ability to participate in payroll work. Basic topics highlighted are interventions and policies that support work inclusion and social equality; the Norwegian welfare state (current situation, development over time, future perspective and international comparison), sick leave and health related benefits. Furthermore, the role of the various parties in work life, health and welfare, their common and distinctive competencies as well as arenas and methods for cross-professional cooperation are highlighted. Models for the knowledge-based evaluation of health, function and ability to work are presented. Knowledge-based interventions to support work inclusion and occupational rehabilitation as well as other efforts aimed at supporting participation in the work force are central to the course.

Based on social, organizational and cultural issues, the course will enable the student to assess the resources and challenges of individuals, groups and businesses when wage and health promoting activities are to be made for different populations.

Knowledge

The student:

• has in-depth knowledge of current social policy strategies, and objectives related to work and health
• has broad knowledge of social, organizational and individual factors that may affect the ability of individuals and groups to participate in working life
• has updated knowledge about the health and welfare system, working life, law and regulations and decision-making processes in connection with the health and welfare services
• has research-based knowledge on sickness absence patterns, participation, inclusion and people falling out of work in Norway and comparable countries
• has broad knowledge of key themes, theories, models and issues in the field of work health and work inclusion
• can use a health promotion, prevention and rehabilitation perspective in relation to employment participation
• can apply knowledge about challenges in complex work-based interventions (including occupational rehabilitation) as an interdisciplinary discipline with anchoring in various theoretical models with individual, work and system perspectives.

Skills

The student:

• can apply relevant theory, empirical data, and models to describe and discuss current health promotion and preventive actions related to work and work outcomes
• can translate knowledge about work inclusion in relevant population groups • can evaluate and disseminate independent scientific work
• can exchange views and experiences across professional areas relevant to work health and thereby contribute to the development of good practice (cooperation competence)

General competence

The student:

• can integrate and communicate professional issues in new areas and contribute to innovative efforts in terms of work inclusion
• can analyze the need for interdisciplinary and multi sectorial collaboration at the individual and system level and use this knowledge for new thinking in the field of practice and research
• can identify the opportunities and challenges of the field of practice and research for the development, implementation and evaluation of new interventions that have a goal of employment

Lectures, seminars, workshop, homework, own studies, co-student responses, TBL (team-based learning).