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Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare with Health Science - Learning outcomes

Educational aims

This is a combined qualification in healthcare and health science which aims to equip students with:
  • an understanding of health, including the ethical, social, economic and political and scientific issues that influence healthcare
  • an introduction to the skills required to become a reflective learner and practitioner in a range of health-related settings
  • the ability to understand an evidence-based, scientific approach to health sciences
  • an opportunity to develop a range of scientific skills
  • an opportunity to develop skills in interpreting, generating, and presenting information and data using a variety of text-based, graphical, numerical, audio-visual and online sources.

Learning outcomes

The qualification provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, practical and professional skills in the following areas: 

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this certificate, you will have knowledge and understanding of:
  • the development of healthcare and the contemporary context in which care takes place and contribution of health science to this development
  • the different lines of evidence and an appreciation of the limits of current knowledge in defined topics within health science and the delivery of healthcare
  • health science and the social legal and ethical aspects of competing models of health
  • the diversity of values and perspectives in the context of healthcare and  health science including the experience of care from a service user’s perspective
  • the processes associated with the physiology of the human body in the context of the promotion of health and wellbeing.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
  • appreciate evidence and situations from a range of perspectives and consider the appropriateness of different interventions or approaches
  • apply concepts and theories to inform and critique both theoretical perspectives and practice situations
  • make use of a range of sources of evidence and information and use them to inform an argument about healthcare practice.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
  • observe, describe and record evidence accurately, and make informed decisions
  • demonstrate an understanding of the ethical, cultural, political and social dilemmas of health science and healthcare practice and the contexts within which care takes place
  • demonstrate sensitivity to the diversity of values and interests of others.

Key skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
  • Communicate effectively for the intended audience and purpose in an appropriate style and level using different media.
  • Read, select and manipulate information from a range of resources including electronic sources.
  • Identify, understand and compare different lines of reasoning, recognising authority of source, opinion and perspective.
  • Write assignments, structuring the material to present a logical and coherent argument.
  • Use numbers within a health and social care context and interpret statistical data.
  • Manage own learning through the identification of learning needs, objective setting, monitoring progress by critical reflection, identifying strengths and weaknesses and areas to improve and responding to feedback.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.