LEARNING OUTCOME
Practical Training aims to provide the students with the opportunity: a) to apply all the acquired theoretical knowledge into practice b) to acquire the practical and experiential skills important to protect and promote the health of the individual, family, community. Graduate Health Visitors are involved in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of health promotion programs. As part of the internship, emphasis is placed on the provision of health care services at home (with “home visit”), at school, at work and in the community in general. Graduate students are primarily concerned with the protection and promotion of health of the most vulnerable populations such as infants, children, adolescents, the elderly, people with special health issues and people with disabilities, as well as those at risk of social exclusion.
GENERAL SKILLS
- Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies
- Adaptation to new situations
- Decision making
- Autonomous work
- Teamwork
- Work in an interdisciplinary environment
- Production of new research ideas
- Project design and management
- Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
- Demonstration of social, professional and moral responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues
- Exercise criticism and self-criticism
CORSE CONTENT
The Practical Training in the profession is carried out in PHC services where professional Health Visitors serve and belong to the public and/or private sector, the local government (Local Authorities A ‘and B’ grade), to Non-Governmental Organizations (Nos), Limited Liability Social Cooperatives (KOISPE), in scientific organizations, in independent advocacy authorities for individual rights, etc. In particular, the internship in the profession includes students’ familiarization with the following professional activities:
- Identification, study and evaluation of the health needs of the target population
- Study and identification of the distribution of the target population and its health status
- Identification of the most vulnerable groups of the target population
- Recording of activities and systematic updating of health cards (individual / family) for each unit / case of the target population
- Data processing, extraction of results on the health status and needs of the target population, utilization and promotion to the competent services for the planning and organization of health care services
- Conducting epidemiological surveys of infectious diseases and general research on public health problems
- Monitoring and treatment of common or more complex health conditions /problems
- Infant protection. Infant care and hygiene, control of psychomotor development and contribution to the treatment of dysfunctions, treatment of oral problems, promotion of healthy eating, treatment of sleep disorders, planning-implementation of vaccinations, etc.
- Protection of preschool & childhood. Monitoring of psychomotor status and contributing to the treatment of dysfunctions, promotion of principles of personal hygiene, oral hygiene, environmental hygiene and safety in order to prevent accidents, assessment of nutritional status and optometry, application and assessment of visual and auditory acoustics, etc.
- Protecting and supporting the right of individuals to sexual health and family planning. Execution of sexual health programs, contraception, family planning, information on specialized treatment of reproductive problems, etc.
- Maternity protection. Informing and strengthening proper nutritional choices, regular medical monitoring, preparation for childbirth, promotion of breastfeeding, preparation for the reception of the new member in the family, demonstration and strengthening of techniques for the proper care of the newborn, protection of the placenta, etc.
- Support new parents in taking on the parental role. Advising on parenting practices. Identifying and dealing with problems that arise in the family environment etc.
- Protection and support of the elderly. Self-care, maintaining independence, adopting activities and behaviors that help people stay physically and mentally healthy, informing and connecting with available social services, etc.
- Monitoring and support of people with chronic health problems. Acceptance of the disease, provision of care at home, counseling and support regarding self-care and self-care procedures, education of the affected individuals and the family environment, provision of advice for the protection of other family members from the consequences of the disease, etc.
- Monitoring and support for people with disabilities. Acceptance of disability, guidance for physical rehabilitation and contribution to vocational and social rehabilitation, etc.
- Monitoring and support of the mentally ill. Acceptance of mental illness, compliance with medication, control of living conditions, rehabilitation and social reintegration, etc.
- Monitoring and support of persons belonging to minorities and experiencing social exclusion (immigrants, refugees). Control of living conditions, detection of health problems, information and facilitation of access to health care providers, facilitation of adaptation to the new cultural environment, etc.
- Prevention and promotion of health and safety of employees. Development and implementation of health promotion programs, investigation and identification of harmful factors in the workplace, identification and promotion of measures to protect against accidents at work, first aid, assessment of social and psychological effects of the work environment, contribution to integration and reintegration of people with disabilities etc.
- Ensuring the protection of individual and social rights in the provision of healthcare and welfare services according to the needs of the individual-family-community
- Guidance on the existence of protection networks and specialized assistance providers and facilitation of access procedures
- Strengthening volunteering in health issues. Organization of voluntary blood donation and organ donation programs
The internship is carried out under the supervision of faculty members of the Department.
STUDENT EVALUATION
The student completes a Practical Training book and prepares a summary report at the end of the internship. This report is being evaluated. The final grade includes the grade of the supervisor from the employer and the supervisor professor.
RECOMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Kalokairinou, A., Adamakidou, Th., Velonaki, V., Vivilaki, V., Kapreli, E., Kriembardis, A., Lagiou, A., Lionis, Ch., Markaki, A., Bodosakis, P ., Papadakaki, M., Sakellari, E. (2015) Applications of good practices of a primary health care team. [electric book.] http://hdl.handle.net/11419/3301
- Cowley S. Community public health in policy and practice. A sourcebook. Baindiere Tindall Elsevier, U, 2008.
- Sakellari E. Assessment of health needs; the health visiting contribution to public health.International Journal of Caring Sciences 2012, 5 (1): 19-25.