Humanitarian and Disaster Relief - Practical
| Module title | Humanitarian and Disaster Relief - Practical |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM071 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Laura McArthur () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 8 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 12 |
|---|
Module description
Disaster and Humanitarian relief module extends on the theme of Humanitarian Disaster Relief - Theory. The module revisits basic concepts around public health priorities and introduces concepts in security and risk mitigation that are fundamental to operating in natural or manmade disaster zones. The course aims to develop an understanding of optimal strategies for triage and trauma management in humanitarian context. Other areas to consider include protocols for safe movement and protection of the health force, hazard recognition (and avoidance) and managing hostility and conflict.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will further critically examine the challenges of providing safe and effective healthcare in a range of challenging environments following major incidents. You will consider in detail the impact of a hostile environment on the safe functioning and movement of the health team.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically evaluate the fundamental health challenges in an acute disaster zone
- 2. Demonstrate an ability to hypothesise what type of hazards may present in hostile humanitarian crises and mitigate their potential impact and occurence
- 3. Evaluate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for travelling and communicating in hostile environment
- 4. Evaluate specific infectious diseases and public health threats in a disaster zone
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the importance of risk assessment
- 6. Demonstrate learning through simulation and debrief/reflection
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Work together in groups collaboratively and effectively.
- 8. Communicate ideas effectively in writing and in person to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- 9. Critically engage with research evidence drawn from sources such as books, journals, and the internet.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Health priorities in disaster zones
Personal & Team security
Safety in urban and rural disaster environments through hazard recognition and avoidance
Key elements of humanitarian law
Infectious diseases in acute humanitarian context
Logistics of disaster relief
Triage and acute trauma management in humanitarian context
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 115 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 35 | Residential course: Lectures, seminars, master-classes, practical exercises and group work in specialist areas, and contemporary debates |
| Guided Independent Study | 75 | Reading and preparation for scheduled sessions and coursework. Web-based learning; resource gathering and in-depth reading during the period of module delivery |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Preparation and writing of assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal feedback | 1-6 | Facilitator and peer feedback online |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment detailed analysis on real world contemporary example | 100 | 2000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment detailed analysis on real world contemporary example | 2000 words | 1-9 | During or prior to the August to September Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
The Sphere Project Handbook
http://www.spherehandbook.org/
• World Health Organization (WHO) (2002), 25 Questions & Answers on Health & Human Rights. Health & Human Rights Publication Issue No. 1. Geneva. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/9241545690.pdf
• Noji, E (ed.) (1997), The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. Oxford University Press. New York.
• WHO and PAHO (2001), Health Library for Disasters. Geneva. http://helid.desastres.net/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 25/10/2016 |
| Last revision date | 12/05/2022 |
