International Festival of Public Health

LT 5 - Transdisciplinarity in Public Health

Understanding the attitudes of tutors towards teaching and learning on an online distance learning Master of Public Health

Presenter: Anjana Sahu (The University of Manchester)

Other Author(s): C. Greenhalgh and G. Clough

Abstract Text:

Introduction: Teaching staff play an important role in the delivery of teaching and the facilitation of learning. This study explores the views, opinions, values and perspectives of teaching staff. This study explores the attitudes and approaches to teaching and assessment practices related to their work on the online Master of Public Health (MPH) programme. The MPH programme has seen many changes in recent years, with the introduction of new technologies and new software, the withdrawal of dedicated e-learning support and an influx of new tutors. Therefore, it was an opportune time to reflect and evaluate the programme’s delivery and the possibilities for improvement.

Method: We designed and conducted a qualitative study to ascertain the experiences, views and opinions of the MPH Course Unit Leads regarding teaching, learning and assessment practices, and student experience. Qualitative research was used to allow us to understand the views and opinions of people and gain insight into their beliefs and values. We conducted a focus group with 7 tutors; this ranged from well-established, senior tutors and new, less experienced tutors and explored overarching themes namely: feedback from and to students, teaching and learning principles, assessment and organisational changes over the last two years.

Discussion: The quality of teaching and assessment on the MPH programme is viewed by the tutors as having a central role in everything they do. They have developed and implemented their own quality assurance processes in addition to those required on an institutional and faculty level. This is perhaps one of the reasons why the programme has seen its reputation enhanced, student numbers grow, and the programme expand over the years it has been in operation. A clear commitment to quality assurance and strong peer support is seen as having a clear impact on the ability of tutors to maintain high standards. There is always room for improvement and as the programme has recently been through a period of change, the study has provided a unique opportunity for tutors to reflect on the successes and challenges that they have faced and the measures that they have put in place to counteract the challenges and support their teaching. Giving the space for colleagues to interact has also had a knock-on effect of breeding a more supportive environment across the whole programme.

Can ceramics add to an asset-based addiction recovery model?

Presenter: Dena Bagi and Katherine Evans (The British Ceramics Biennial), Vicky Lomas (Stoke Recovery Service), Claire McIver (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Other Author(s): -

Abstract Text:

Approach: Can ceramics add to an asset-based addiction recovery model? Looking closely at the pedagogical model adopted during the ReCast project, which are designed around clay process and play, we will present evidence for its impact within an asset-based recovery model.

Background ReCast is a long-standing project combining creativity, addiction recovery and clay. It’s delivered in partnership by the British Ceramics Biennial, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Addaction. People in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction experienced improved wellbeing, increased pride, new routines and relationships that support recovery whist completing the project. Over the project’s lifetime, it has engaged over 150 individuals in recovery with clay-based activities. The project is embedded into a recovery service, delivering both weekly clay workshops and focused artist-residencies. The project also facilitates skills exchanges, working alongside service staff and volunteers to share knowledge, skills and expertise in recovery and creativity. Participants form long-term creative relationships with the material, representing stories, relationships and hopes in clay. Activities often culminate in exhibitions and celebrations, where participants invite family and friends to see their creations/new skills. Outcomes (objects, stories, images) are also showcased at The British Ceramics Biennial, a national contemporary ceramics festival with bi-annual visitor numbers of c. 60,000. Participant outcomes of the projects include: feelings of well-being and pride, mindful and spiritual experiences, increased social confidence and transferable social skill, and ownership over their identity (which is often influenced by stereotypical views) as someone in addiction recovery. The connections these outcomes have to the participants recovery aims are closely assessed and utilized in the iterative project planning.

‘Quite hard to let go, let go and start again. To lose yourself easily in the clay. Not always does it have to have a meaning or a name; not always does there have to be a certain way; not always does it have to be anything. It’s hard to let anything just be.’ - ReCast member poem, responding to the experience of working with clay

"Even though I was born and bred in this area, I’d never touched clay; the first time was amazing. It really does generate a feeling of wellbeing. Everybody is around you, but you’re still in your own world. What’s in front of you, (the clay) that’s all that matters. It’s physical mindfulness." "My Granddad was a potter. This is my way of saying 'I’m ok now, Grandad'’’ - ReCast group member observations

Presentation/workshop: We propose to engage the audience in a discussion about the benefits of clay/creativity within the context of an asset-based addiction recovery model. The audience will hear participant stories, handle clay and engage in conversation around the topic. A brief presentation plan is as follows: Action + Method Presentation topic and asset -based approach Clay handling Participant Story and ReCast project description, focusing on ‘learning’ methods Present key project outcomes using creative methods What’s next – ways forward Presentation Creative activity Film and audio during making Presentation Question and Answer

A documentation of the presentation, clay objects made by delegates and key points from the Q&A will be available via a blog page after the presentation. Further queries regarding the presentation can be sent to: dena@britishceramicsbiennial.com

A qualitative study into intrapartum care experiences of women in Tema, Ghana

Presenter: John Obeng (University of Salford)

Other Author(s): -

Abstract Text:

Background The provision of quality maternity care is an important public health concern because a healthy pregnancy can be the basis for a child’s lifelong good health. Access to skilled birth attendance and timely referrals to emergency obstetric care is considered as an intervention to reduce global burden of maternal mortality. To facilitate this, free access to maternity care was introduced in Ghana in 2008. Despite this, increases in the proportion of facility-based deliveries have been marginal. Concerns have been raised that one reason why women may not access care is they consider the treatment they receive as disrespectful or uncaring. The aim of this study is to examine the drivers of the disrespectful and abusive care. Methods Semi-structured interviews involving 20 mothers were conducted using a purposive sampling method. The interviews were conducted between March and July 2018 at Tema General Hospital, Tema Metropolitan District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Thematic analysis was used, the data being interpreted within the context of an existing quality of care framework. Findings The overarching themes were that the women did not want to attend the hospital facility for birth mainly due to having experienced a lack of emotional support from the midwives and doctors during labour and birth. They reported feeling neglected by the staff, including receiving both physical and verbal abuse. They also feared the burden of informal fees, often being asked for payment to access key aspects of maternity care, such as a bed or treatment. Conclusion Improving the quality of maternity care in Ghana requires making care at professional healthcare facility, woman-centred, respectful and dignified care. This is crucial in increasing utilisation of maternal healthcare, thus reducing the maternal mortality and morbidity. Keywords: Quality of Maternity care, Intrapartum Care, Respectful care, Women experiences, Health Facility

Early Infant Nutrition an Integrated Infant Feeding project for North Manchester

Presenter: Justine Baines (Manchester Local Care Organisation)

Other Author(s): -

Abstract Text:

The Health Visiting led Integrated Infant Feeding Team in Manchester delivers a model of excellence. Providing a ‘universal’ offer of infant feeding support for every new mother and baby from a dedicated Infant Feeding Support Worker based with the Health Visitor teams. This integrated early offer aims to support the ‘transition to parenthood’ and establish good infant feeding practices. This is aimed at preventing problems and challenges that can escalate. Named Health Visitors are able to work with the support workers and the family to ensure there is an appropriate feeding plan in place for every family. Where there are complex or urgent feeding difficulties, our team of specialist Health Visitors working in a multi-agency team alongside a midwife and a paediatric dietician ensure mother and baby receive instant solutions to feeding difficulties. This instant solution is supported by a full HV led advanced prescribing service so babies with cows milk protein allergy or infant reflux get immediate specialist support and have direct pathways to specialist services such as allergy and immunology. This investment aims to address two key issues: the need to increase breastfeeding rates and the requirement for more co-ordinated support to parents of babies who are experiencing feeding challenges. Supporting first line measures and preventing unnecessary medications and formulas will save money, prevent the need for referral in many cases, reduce the number of GP and A&E attendances and improve health outcomes for babies and their families.

Health in all policies: can whole systems, cross-sectoral economic evaluation help?

Presenter: Petra Meier (University of Sheffield)

Other Author(s): Robin Purshouse

Abstract Text:

We would like to present - and get feedback on - the work plans of the System science In Public Health and Health Economic Research (SIPHER) Consortium, which has recently received funding from the UK Prevention Research Initiative. The conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age are key drivers of health and health inequalities. Preventing ill health related to these “social determinants of health” requires well-coordinated policies across many sectors, such as the economy, welfare, housing, education and employment. The Consortium's vision is to drive a shift from public health policy to healthy public policy, this means all policy sectors working together to tackle health inequalities and improve the health of the public. SIPHER seeks to deliver novel evidence of the costs and benefits of the complex, interlinked and long-term consequences of policy decisions affecting these areas. Research plans include work to develop a thorough understanding of partners’ policy priorities and processes, synthesis of existing data and evidence, new data analytics infrastructure, complex systems modelling, cost-benefit analysis and multi-criteria decision support. Our work will initially focus on the policy areas of inclusive economic growth, housing, mental well-being and adverse childhood experience.