The Open University

OU academics cast doubt over accuracy of fertility and pregnancy planning apps

6 April 2020

New findings, published by Open University academics suggest there are gaps in the reliability of popular apps used by many to estimate fertility and for pregnancy planning. Academics from the OU have put together an evidence review looking at menstruation and fertility apps. Published today in the BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health journal, the findings […]

World Social Work Day – focus on OU’s new Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship

17 March 2020

Today (17 March) is World Social Work Day, a day to raise awareness of social work as a career path and recognise the incredible contribution that this sector make to our community. The Open University has a range of courses available to support and train social workers, including the Social Work Degree (SWD) Apprenticeship, which […]

How to recover from burnout and chronic work stress – according to a psychologist

11 March 2020

Rajvinder Samra, Lecturer in Health, The Open University writes for The Conversation about how to recover from burnout and chronic work stress. It’s pretty likely you’ve heard of burnout – and you may have even experienced it. Caused by chronic work stress, it’s characterised by signs such as emotional exhaustion, lack of energy, and loss […]

International Day of People with Disabilities – access to apprenticeships

3 December 2019

On Tuesday 3 December, it’s International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) – established by the United Nations to identify and address discrimination, exclusion and inaccessibility that many people living with a disability face. With more disabled students choosing to study with The Open University than any other UK university, championing accessibility for all is […]

World AIDS Day 2019: treatment success, but austerity bites

29 November 2019

On Sunday (1 December), we mark World AIDS Day: an opportunity to come together to support people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died. It’s also a time to take stock of how we are doing in the fight against AIDS. Dr Peter Keogh, Deputy Associate Dean Research Excellence & Senior Lecturer […]

‘Studying has helped me to better understand how my mind works’

2 October 2019

In 2014, Liz suffered a breakdown that grounded her life to a halt – she struggled to leave the house, and completing everyday tasks became impossible. Support from friends, counselling and baking helped ease the symptoms of anxiety. Liz went on to build her cake-making into a business, and today BuBakes has featured in numerous magazines […]

‘Our cities cannot become age-friendly without considering technology’ – paper investigates the need for improvements in urban design

23 September 2019

Academics from The Open University and The Hague University of Applied Science have published a paper with recommendations for a new smart age-friendly environment for developed cities in the western world. Building on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) original model, the new proposed framework considers the rapid pace in which technology develops. According to the […]

The Open University partners with Care UK to deliver Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship in UK prisons

11 September 2019

The Open University has partnered with Care UK to deliver a Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship to Health Care Support Workers (HCSWs) who are employed across more than 40 prison and young offender establishments where healthcare services are provided by Care UK’s Health in Justice division. The first cohort of 11 HCSWs, from HMP Isle of […]

Could a ‘No Deal’ Brexit increase the UK’s suicide rates?

9 September 2019

Suicide is a devastating event, affecting individuals, families and societies. It is widely associated with mental ill health and the focus of suicide prevention campaigns is often on individual level interventions such as improving awareness and willingness to use community and health services. However, suicide is also associated with social factors such as unemployment and […]

OU launches scholarship fund to support carers

10 June 2019

The Open University has this week launched The Carers Scholarships Fund, which will provide 50 UK-based carers with a full fee-waiver scholarship of up to £18,000 to study an OU course of their choice. To ensure young adult carers are encouraged to apply, 15 places have been reserved for those between the ages of 18-28. […]

OU News

Category: Health