Community Engagement in Research and Population Health from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

BEYOND HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

Establishing the Need for a New Paradigm -- The current US health care system is broken. In this introductory section, we will explore how the United States compares to other health systems in the world on both cost and health outcomes. We will discuss what is meant by good health, as well as defining the term “population health”. We will discuss what is meant by the American health paradox and how our country’s values have led to social inequities which contribute to substantial health disparities. The current US health system is not sustainable, and solutions can be discovered when we look outside of the health care delivery system for answers.

POPULATION HEALTH DATA, EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH

Creating change requires an understanding of population health data. We will begin this section by reviewing data resources, including resources for mapping data to create a visual representation of population health outcomes. We will also discuss some of the ways this data is collected by reviewing public health surveys and common data collection tools. Improving the health system often involves implementing interventions, and just like in medicine, public health interventions should be evidence-based. We will review some resources for evidence-based community health interventions and discuss ways to evaluated and disseminate results that are useful to community members.

COMMUNITY ENGAGED HEALTH SYSTEMS

Engaging the community is important in changing the paradigm and working to improve the US health system as a whole. In this section, we will explore ways in which health care delivery systems are engaging community and addressing community health. This community engagement is federally mandated for non-profit hospitals and health systems through community benefit reporting and community health needs assessments and improvement plans. In addition, the movement towards value based medicine has really motivated health systems to think beyond the walls of the hospital to explore the population’s health.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

In this section, we will define community-engaged research and apply the principles of effective community engagement to research as well as interventions. Community Engagement takes many forms, some much more reciprocal and collaborative than others. In this interactive discussion, our speakers will discuss the benefits of effective community engagement as well as barriers that are common, and suggestions for alleviating those challenges.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the inadequacy of the current healthcare system in the US

Examines the concept of population health and its importance

Highlights the significance of addressing the social determinants of health

Compares the US healthcare system to other countries

Introduces resources for population health data and evidence-based public health interventions

Emphasizes the role of community engagement in improving the health system

Provides practical insights into effective community engagement

Teaches the principles of community-based participatory research

Covers community benefits spending, community health improvement planning, and problem-based research networks

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 Community Engagement in Research and Population Health with these activities:

Review Population Health Concepts

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Refresh your understanding of key population health concepts to enhance your learning experience.

Browse courses on Population Health

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Read introductory materials on population health.
Review basic statistics and data analysis techniques.
Explore different health outcome measures.

Review data management techniques

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Improve the strength of your foundation in data management to prepare for the course.

Browse courses on Data Management

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Find resources for developing data management skills, such as courses or tutorials available online
Seek out articles on data management best practices
Practice data cleaning and analysis techniques using software or online platforms

Participate in Community Health Initiatives

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Gain practical experience and make a positive impact by participating in community health initiatives.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Identify local community health organizations.
Explore volunteer opportunities that align with your interests.
Attend community events and workshops.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Create a mind map of population health concepts

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Deepen your understanding of population health concepts and improve your ability to articulate them.

Browse courses on Population Health

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Review the course syllabus and identify key concepts related to population health
Conduct research on population health to supplement your knowledge
Create a mind map that visually organizes the concepts and their relationships

Analyze Population Health Data

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Develop your skills in analyzing and interpreting population health data to make informed decisions.

Browse courses on Health Data Analysis

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Access and explore population health data sources.
Use data visualization tools to create charts and graphs.
Identify trends and patterns in health data.

Engage in Discussion Forums

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Connect with classmates and engage in meaningful discussions to expand your understanding and learn from others' perspectives.

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Participate in online discussions.
Ask thoughtful questions and share your insights.
Provide constructive feedback to peers.

Develop a Community Health Plan

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Apply your knowledge to create a comprehensive plan to address health issues in a specific community.

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Conduct a community health needs assessment.
Identify health priorities and set goals.
Develop strategies and interventions to address health priorities.

Career center

Learners who complete Community Engagement in Research and Population Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers work with community members to improve their health and well-being. They may provide education, support, and resources to help people manage chronic conditions, make healthy lifestyle choices, and access health care services. This course can help Community Health Workers develop the skills and knowledge they need to effectively engage with community members, identify and address health disparities, and advocate for health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Health Worker

Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement health promotion programs and materials to improve the health of individuals and communities. They may work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, community health centers, and government agencies. This course can help Health Educators learn about the social determinants of health, develop effective health promotion strategies, and evaluate the impact of their programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop policies to improve the health of the population. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or research institutions. This course can help Health Policy Analysts understand the current health care system, identify and address health disparities, and develop policies to improve the health of the population.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses provide health care services to individuals and communities in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and community centers. They may also work on public health policy and advocacy. This course can help Public Health Nurses develop the skills and knowledge they need to effectively engage with community members, identify and address health disparities, and promote health equity.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help individuals and families address social, emotional, and financial challenges. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, mental health clinics, and social service agencies. This course can help Social Workers understand the social determinants of health, develop effective interventions to address social problems, and advocate for social justice.

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Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and distribution of diseases and other health conditions in populations. They may work for government agencies, research institutions, or non-profit organizations. This course can help Epidemiologists develop the skills and knowledge they need to conduct epidemiological research, identify and address health disparities, and develop policies to improve the health of the population.

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Health Services Researcher

Health Services Researchers conduct research to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care services. They may work for government agencies, research institutions, or health care providers. This course can help Health Services Researchers develop the skills and knowledge they need to conduct health services research, identify and address health disparities, and develop policies to improve the health of the population.

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Health Policy Researcher

Health Policy Researchers conduct research to inform health policy and decision-making. They may work for government agencies, research institutions, or non-profit organizations. This course can help Health Policy Researchers understand the current health care system, identify and address health disparities, and develop policies to improve the health of the population.

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Health Economist

Health Economists use economic principles to analyze health care issues and policies. They may work for government agencies, research institutions, or health care providers. This course can help Health Economists understand the economics of health care, identify and address health disparities, and develop policies to improve the health of the population.

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Health Care Administrator

Health Care Administrators plan, organize, and manage health care organizations. They may work for hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or other health care facilities. This course can help Health Care Administrators understand the current health care system, identify and address health disparities, and develop policies to improve the health of the population.

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Health Care Consultant

Health Care Consultants provide advice and assistance to health care organizations on a variety of issues, including strategic planning, financial management, and quality improvement. This course can help Health Care Consultants understand the current health care system, identify and address health disparities, and develop policies to improve the health of the population.

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Health Information Manager

Health Information Managers are responsible for managing and protecting health information. They may work for hospitals, clinics, or other health care facilities. This course can help Health Information Managers understand the importance of health information, develop strategies to protect patient privacy, and use health information to improve the quality of care.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide advice on their use. They may work in pharmacies, hospitals, or other health care settings. This course may be useful for Pharmacists who want to learn more about the social determinants of health and how to improve the health of the population.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. This course may be useful for Physicians who want to learn more about the social determinants of health and how to improve the health of the population.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. This course may be useful for Nurses who want to learn more about the social determinants of health and how to improve the health of the population.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse