Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Leiden University

Welcome to the course Population Health: Health and health behaviour! In this module you will get to know what the scope of this course is and you will learn how to be successful at online studying.

Understanding health behaviour

In this module we are aiming to find out how health behaviour works. We’ll address theory to unravel health behaviour and look at models that help us explain and change health behaviour. You will also apply this to yourself. In the assignments, you will look at your own health behaviour, using theory to explain it and will decide on determinants you could intervene upon. So, at the end of this module you might have been inspired to make an actual behaviour change!

Understanding health behaviour in the context of illness

Dealing with a health condition often has a large impact on a person’s daily life. This impact will be the topic of this module. We’ll address the broad range of life domains that a (chronic) condition has an effect on and what it takes to self-manage a health condition. Also, we’ll look at what contextual factors play a role in coping and self-management of a health condition and how this may change over time. In the assignments, you will look into the impact that a disease has on a patient's life, discuss this with someone in your own environment and will use the addressed theory to reflect on that.

Empowering patients

In this module we dive into patient-centered care; what it encompasses and how it can be optimalised. You’ll gain insight into strategies and interventions regarding patient empowerment, and we discuss how these can be employed taking risk factors, resilience and (life) goals into account. In the assignments, you will reflect on strategies for motivational interviewing, see how a decision aid works for you and discuss the feasibility of digital tools on a worldwide level.

From theory to intervention

In the previous modules we discussed theory and methods to enhance health behavior in order to increase quality of life and improve health care. In this module we’ll set out six steps on how to develop, implement and evaluate theory-based interventions in health care, in order to apply theory into clinical practice. In the assignments, you will use this theory and some scientific papers to briefly go through all the steps of intervention planning yourself.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a strong foundation for learners new to the field of health psychology

Offers a comprehensive study of the fundamentals of health psychology

Taught by Roos van der Vaart, who is recognized for their work in health psychology

Provides insights into the role of behavior, cognition, emotion, and environment in health

Offers practical strategies for empowering patients and optimizing patient-centered care

Covers a range of topics relevant to healthcare professionals, including health behavior, illness coping, patient empowerment, and intervention development

Reviews summary

Informative population health course

According to students, the Population Health course is informative and interesting. They mention that public health topics are addressed. Many learners praise the engaging nature of the course, but at least one learner mentioned they were unable to complete a survey, and did not have a way to report the error.

Course applies to public health.

"Very interesting and informative course, specially for those interested in public health issues."

Students find the course engaging.

"Thank You for a very engaging course."

"Very interesting and informative course."

Students have trouble with survey.

"I would like to fill out the survey at the end of the course but it is not working."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour with these activities:

Review: Thinking, Fast and Slow

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Introduces key concepts in cognitive psychology to lay the foundation for understanding health behavior.

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-5
Summarize the key concepts of System 1 and System 2 thinking
Identify examples of how these concepts apply to health-related decision-making

Review key health psychology concepts

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Reviewing fundamentals of health psychology will provide a grounding for understanding course material.

Browse courses on Health Psychology

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Revisit notes or textbooks from introductory psychology or health psychology courses.
Read articles or watch videos on the key concepts of health psychology.
Create a mind map or diagram to summarize your understanding of health behavior models.

Review basic statistics

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Ensures students have the necessary foundation in statistics to understand and interpret health-related data.

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Review concepts of mean, median, mode, and standard deviation
Practice calculating and interpreting these measures using a calculator or statistical software

17 other activities

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Review the fundamentals of health behaviour

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Revisit the core concepts of health behavior to build a strong foundation for the course content.

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Review lecture notes and textbooks from previous relevant coursework
Take practice quizzes or engage in online simulations related to health behavior models
Discuss key concepts with peers or a tutor

Review health behavior change models

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Reviewing these models will strengthen your understanding of how health behavior is initiated, maintained, and changed.

Browse courses on Self-Management

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Read the assigned chapters on health behavior change models.
Create a table summarizing the key components of each model.
Apply one of the models to a real-world example of health behavior change.

Participate in a peer support group for health behavior change

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Provides a supportive environment for students to engage in peer-led discussions, share experiences, and support each other in achieving health behavior change goals.

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Join a peer support group focused on a specific health behavior change
Attend regular meetings and actively participate in discussions
Provide support and encouragement to other group members

Explore online resources for supporting patient empowerment

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Discover valuable online tools and resources to enhance your knowledge of empowering patients in their healthcare journey.

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Search for online platforms and organizations dedicated to patient empowerment
Review articles and case studies on successful patient empowerment initiatives
Evaluate the credibility and accessibility of the resources

Explore patient-centered care strategies

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Engaging with tutorials on patient-centered care will reinforce course concepts and enhance understanding.

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Find online tutorials or workshops on patient-centered care strategies.
Follow the tutorials and complete any exercises or assignments.
Reflect on how you can apply these strategies in your own practice or personal interactions.

Apply health behavior change theories to real-life scenarios

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Practice applying theoretical concepts to practical situations to enhance your understanding of health behavior interventions.

Browse courses on Health Behavior Change

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Identify a specific health behavior change scenario
Select relevant health behavior change theories
Apply the theories to develop an intervention plan
Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan

Join a study group to discuss course materials and case studies

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Engaging in peer-led discussions will reinforce your understanding of the course material, improve your critical thinking skills, and provide diverse perspectives.

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Find a group of classmates who are interested in forming a study group.
Set regular meeting times and locations.
Prepare for each meeting by reviewing the assigned materials and preparing questions.
Actively participate in discussions and share your insights.

Practice applying the Transtheoretical Model

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Provide opportunities to apply the Transtheoretical Model to real-world scenarios, enhancing understanding of its use in health behavior change interventions.

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Review the stages of change in the Transtheoretical Model
Identify individuals at different stages of change for a specific health behavior
Develop tailored interventions based on the stage of change

Discuss case studies of health behavior interventions

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Fosters collaboration and critical thinking by engaging students in analyzing and discussing real-world examples of health behavior interventions.

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Review the principles of health behavior interventions
Analyze case studies, identifying the target behavior, intervention strategies, and outcomes
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each intervention, considering ethical and practical implications

Complete interactive tutorials on motivational interviewing

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Provides hands-on experience with motivational interviewing techniques, enhancing students' ability to support patients in making positive health behavior changes.

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Review the principles and techniques of motivational interviewing
Complete interactive online tutorials that provide simulations and practice exercises
Reflect on the use of motivational interviewing in different health care settings

Analyze real-world case studies

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Practicing analysis of case studies will develop your skills in understanding and addressing health behavior.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Find case studies related to health behavior or health promotion.
Analyze the case studies using the models and theories discussed in the course.
Identify key factors influencing health behavior and develop potential interventions.

Engage in discussions on ethical considerations in healthcare

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Exchange perspectives and engage in critical thinking on ethical dilemmas faced in healthcare settings to enhance your understanding of ethical decision-making.

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Identify ethical issues or case studies related to healthcare
Prepare arguments and perspectives on different ethical viewpoints
Participate actively in discussions, sharing insights and respecting diverse opinions

Develop a patient education resource on managing a chronic condition

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Create a practical resource to enhance your understanding of patient education and the challenges faced by individuals living with chronic conditions.

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Research and gather information on a specific chronic condition
Identify the target audience and their needs
Develop the content in an accessible and engaging format
Obtain feedback from healthcare professionals or patient support groups

Develop a patient education pamphlet on a specific health condition

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Creating a patient education pamphlet will allow you to synthesize your knowledge of health behavior and patient-centered care while developing practical communication skills.

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Choose a specific health condition to focus on.
Research the condition, its symptoms, and treatment options.
Write clear and concise content that is easy for patients to understand.
Design the pamphlet using visually appealing elements.
Review and edit your work carefully before sharing it with others.

Design a patient education pamphlet

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Empowers students to apply their knowledge of patient-centered care by creating educational materials that effectively communicate health information to patients.

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Identify a specific health condition and target audience
Research and gather evidence-based information
Design and develop the pamphlet, considering readability, visuals, and cultural sensitivity
Get feedback from peers or healthcare professionals

Develop a health behavior change plan

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Creating a personalized plan will help you apply course principles to improve your own health and well-being.

Browse courses on Health Behavior Change

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Identify a specific health behavior you want to change.
Research and apply behavior change techniques to develop a plan.
Implement the plan and track your progress over time.

Contribute to the Health Behavior Change Consortium (HBCC)

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Provides students with an opportunity to engage in real-world research and contribute to the advancement of health behavior change knowledge.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Explore the HBCC website and identify a project of interest
Contact the project lead to discuss potential contributions
Make a meaningful contribution to the project, such as data collection, analysis, or manuscript preparation

Career center

Learners who complete Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Educator

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour provides foundational knowledge for a career as a Health Educator. This course offers an introduction to health psychology, covering the role of health behavior, cognition, emotion, and the environment on health status, as well as the factors that influence health behavior change. This knowledge is essential for Health Educators, who are responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs aimed at improving the health of individuals and communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Health Psychologist

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour offers a solid foundation for those interested in a career as a Health Psychologist. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of health psychology, including the study of the psychological and behavioral factors that influence health and illness. The course also covers the development and evaluation of interventions to promote health and prevent illness, which is essential knowledge for Health Psychologists.

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Clinical Psychologist

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be useful for individuals interested in a career as a Clinical Psychologist. This course provides a foundation in understanding health behavior, illness, and the patient experience, which is valuable for Clinical Psychologists who work with individuals with health conditions and chronic illnesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Psychologist

Physician Assistant

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Physician Assistant. This course provides a foundation in understanding health behavior and the patient experience, which is valuable for Physician Assistants who work with patients to manage their health and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant

Registered Nurse

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Registered Nurse. This course provides a foundation in understanding health behavior and the patient experience, which is valuable for Registered Nurses who work with patients to manage their health and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Registered Nurse

Social Worker

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Social Worker. This course provides a foundation in understanding health behavior and the patient experience, which is valuable for Social Workers who work with individuals and families to address health-related issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Health Coach

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Health Coach. This course provides a foundation in understanding health behavior and the patient experience, which is valuable for Health Coaches who work with individuals to improve their health and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Coach

Public Health Educator

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be useful for individuals interested in a career as a Public Health Educator. This course provides a foundation in understanding health behavior and population health, which is essential for Public Health Educators who work to promote health and prevent disease in communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Educator

Epidemiologist

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be useful for individuals interested in a career as an Epidemiologist. This course provides a foundation in understanding population health and the factors that influence health outcomes, which is essential for Epidemiologists who study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations.

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Health Policy Analyst

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be useful for individuals interested in a career as a Health Policy Analyst. This course provides a foundation in understanding population health and the factors that influence health outcomes, which is essential for Health Policy Analysts who develop and evaluate policies that affect the health of populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Medical Writer

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Medical Writer. This course provides a foundation in understanding health and health behavior, which is valuable for Medical Writers who create written content about medical topics for various audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. This course provides a foundation in understanding health and health behavior, which is valuable for Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives who promote and sell pharmaceutical products to healthcare providers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Market Researcher

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Market Researcher. This course provides a foundation in understanding population health and the factors that influence health outcomes, which is valuable for Market Researchers who conduct research to understand the needs of consumers and develop marketing strategies.

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Data Analyst

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Data Analyst. This course provides a foundation in understanding population health and the factors that influence health outcomes, which is valuable for Data Analysts who collect, analyze, and interpret data to solve problems and make informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Consultant

The course Population Health: Health & Health Behaviour may be helpful for individuals interested in a career as a Consultant. This course provides a foundation in understanding population health and the factors that influence health outcomes, which is valuable for Consultants who advise clients on how to improve their health and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant