AC6759 - Sexual Health Advisor: Principles of public health and partner notification

The focus of this module is critical reflection on your own professional learning and practice. The module will commence with an analysis of your own prior skills and abilities in public health, sexual health assessments and partner notification through blended learning, which is a mix of eLearning and face-to-face seminars. Your learning online will be via guided and individual study through use of an interactive e learning package. This will evaluate your learning by asking you to undertake several formative learning exercises with feedback provided electronically and by teachers as a means to gradually develop your understanding. You will attend seminars and share your learning with teachers and peers using case reviews, peer discussion where you will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback and feed forward to each other. You will apply your learning to a summative assignment which requires you to critically analyse a partner notification case study of your choice from your current practice and make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.

You will be supported by the module teacher who will guide your academic learning and assessment throughout the module. They have been involved in developing the eLearning materials and assessment exercises, will provide some of your face-to-face teaching, and feedback, supported by other staff. Details of your assessment will be introduced to you at the start of the module and you will also have an opportunity to engage in online group tutorial support. You will also have an allocated personal/guidance teacher who will provide advice and support in relation to academic, procedural, and (where desired and appropriate) personal matters during the programme of study you have enrolled on. You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and specific support from the programme team with any specific IT issues related to the eLearning package. You will also have access to the full range of student administration and support services offered by Northumbria University which includes library and learning support outlined fully on the programme blackboard page.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Utilising appropriate public health theory, models and approaches to assessment and motivational interviewing develop plan to evidence your decision making and support of the index patient when discussing partner notification
2. Interpret, and systematically evaluate the contemporary evidence, professional, legal and ethical principles in order to make sound judgments and recommendations for partner notification.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Collaborate with client to identify priorities, plan, document and defend your judgements and actions when initiating partner notification.
4.Evaluate personal lifelong learning skills and abilities, identifying areas for development

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5.Analyse own practice in relation to the principles of safe and ethical partner notification, identifying areas for development

Formative exercises
Case study analysis / implications for consultation
• Analysis of client consultation case studies to articulate information gained or missing from assessment and professional partner notification process based upon current legal, ethical and professional frameworks and guidance.
MLO 1, 2,3,5- Verbal peer and teacher feedback in seminar

Brief audit of practice setting
• Analysis of current policies, procedures and documentation used for partner notification
MLO 2, 3,5- Comments on practice-based audit by verbal peer and teacher feedback in seminar to inform future action plan.
Summative assignment
The summative assessment for this module will require a 2500-word assignment of an episode of partner notification. You will draw upon relevant evidence, public health theory, models and approaches to appraise the process you use in practice when addressing partner notification. You will appraise the effectiveness of the process and provide a robust defence for the judgements and action taken during the partner notification process and make recommendations for any improvements for individual and organisation practice. (MLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)


Summative feedback on final submission of the assessed work will be given in a structured format to inform future practice

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This module focuses on the fundamental skills for partner notification from a sexual health context. You will develop appropriate theoretical knowledge, complex skills and behaviours in public health to advance your partner notification practice. You will explore key concepts in contemporary public health, health promotion behaviour change and motivational interviewing to facilitate facilitating health enhancing activities within sexual health. You will explore and apply local policies, governance, and legislative requirements to identify sexual health partners, use strategies to protect and safeguard from harm the index patient, help prevent risk taking behaviours and adhering to policy for sharing confidential information. You will explore the complex relationships between the wider health determinants, wellbeing, and health inequalities, enhancing critical thinking and decision-making skills. You will demonstrate an ability to synthesise appropriate knowledge and information, when undertaking a comprehensive assessment and developing partner notification strategies for services users.