Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Physiotherapy, Public Health and Management in Health Services

Physiotherapy, Public Health and Management in Health Services
3
15567
2
First semester
OB
Legislation, Public Health and Health Administration
Community Physiotherapy and public health
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish

Teaching staff


Dra. BAYÉS MARIN, Ivet - ibayes@uic.es

Ivet Bayés (ibayes@uic.es)

Introduction

Public Health watches over the health of populations. Supported by other fields in Health Sciences, such as epidemiology, statistics or biology, Public Health strives to protect, promote, and restore collective health, and also designs and evaluates the appropriate interventions. Public Health underlies health systems and is, therefore, an important part of the training of health professionals. 

As health care providers, physiotherapysts intervene in many health problems, both in clinical settings and in the workplace or sports. They participate in promoting health with specific interventions during childhood, adulthood or in the old age. Physiotherapists are also key in planning and carrying out community interventions from primary care settings. 

This subject places the physiotherapist as an important player in public health, and provides the knowledge and skills to understand their role in improving human health by means of individual and collective interventions.

Pre-course requirements

Not required.

Objectives

The objectives are that students : 

  • Understanding the fundamental concepts of health and public health.

  • Learning about health systems organization, with special emphasis on the Spanish health system.

  • Identifying the role of the physical therapist in public health.

  • Understanding basic population health indicators and outcomes and learn about their determinants.

  • Identifying the main methods and techniques used in public health for the study of health problems that affect the population.

  • Assessing and plan disease prevention and health promotion strategies in different healthcare settings and population groups.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 01 - Have the ability to analyze and synthesize.
  • 02 - The ability to organize and plan.
  • 05 - The ability to manage information.
  • 06 - To have comprehensive problem-solving skills.
  • 08 - The ability to work within an international context.
  • 09 - Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  • 10 - Develop autonomous learning skills.
  • 13 - Knowledge of other cultures and customs.
  • 16 - Demonstrate a sensitivity towards environmental issues.
  • 21 - Knowledge of the physiological and structural changes that can occur after physiotherapeutic interventions.
  • 27 - Knowledge of psychological and social factors that affect the health of the individual, family and community.
  • 28 - Understanding of theories of communication and interpersonal skills.
  • 28.1 - Capacity for oral and written communication in the native language.
  • 28.2 - Demonstrate Interpersonal skills.
  • 29 - Knowledge of healthcare education theory and awareness of the student's own lifelong learning process.
  • 29.1 - Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and self-improvement.
  • 30.1 - Teamwork skills.
  • 31 - Knowledge of health care administration and management procedures, especially those related to physiotherapy, within a diverse and changing context.
  • 33 - Knowledge of criteria and indicators for quality assurance in physiotherapy care according to guidelines for good clinical practice and professional standards.
  • 34 - Knowledge of basic concepts in health, health systems and levels of care. Epidemiology. Physiotherapy in the health process.
  • 35 - Knowledge of the impact of socio-health policies on professional practice.
  • 36 - Knowledge of factors involved in problems of social inequality and in the health needs of different social groups.
  • 37 - Knowledge of ethics, legal and professional issues in physiotherapy practice.
  • 37.4 - Adhere to professional competencies and standards in health care.
  • 44 - Knowledge of research and assessment methodology that integrates theory and research in the design and implementation of effective physiotherapy.
  • 51.1 - The ability to design and set up activities related to disease prevention and health promotion.
  • 53 - The capacity to participate within the areas of health promotion and disease prevention.
  • 53.1 - The ability to design and set up activities related to disease prevention and health promotion.
  • 54 - The ability to interact effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Learning outcomes of the subject

  • MAT11 - 06. Demonstrate the necessary intervention capabilities in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention.
  • MAT17 - 01. Describe the fundamental concepts of health and public health, identifying health indicators and levels of prevention.
  • MAT17 - 02. Explain the factors related to health and environmental problems, for physiotherapy care, in the community and work environment.
  • MAT17 - 03. Identify the functions of the physiotherapist in primary care.
  • MAT17 - 04. Analyze the aspects related to the management of health services.
  • MAT17 - 05. Analyze the management processes of a physiotherapy service.
  • MAT17 - 06. Work respecting the legal and ethical basis of the professional field.
  • MAT17 - 07. Describe the quality assurance mechanisms in the field of management and care.
  • MAT17 - 08. Work to guarantee the right to dignity, privacy, intimacy, confidentiality and decision-making capacity of the patient and family.
  • MAT17 - 09. Work in compliance with applicable legislation and the ethical and deontological code of Physiotherapy.
  • MAT17 - 10. Distinguish the ethical aspects that arise in professional practice, identifying apparent ethical conflicts and the essential values ​​of human dignity
  • MAT17 - 11. Work demonstrating a committed attitude towards ethical situations in the professional field.
  • MAT17 - 12. Prioritize those provisions related to a correct way of welcoming human fragility and pain.

Syllabus

Module I: Introduction to Public Health

Topic 1. Public Health and Physiotherapy

  • Concept of public health

  • Evolution of public health over time

  • Areas of public health

  • Relationship with physiotherapy


Module II: Population Health

Topic 2. Demography

  • Concept and types of demography

  • Data sources

  • Basic demographic indicators

Topic 3. Introduction to Epidemiology

  • Definition and objectives

  • Study designs in epidemiology

  • Basic measures in epidemiology


Module III: Physiotherapy and Community Health

Topic 4. Health Determinants and Disease Prevention

  • Definition

  • Models of health determinants

  • Objectives of prevention

  • Levels of prevention

  • Foundations and definition of health promotion

  • Planning health interventions in physiotherapy

  • Definition and objectives of health education


Module IV: Administration and Management in Physiotherapy

Topic 5. Health Systems

  • Introduction to health systems

  • Models of health systems

  • Spanish National Health System

  • Examples of other health systems

Teaching and learning activities

In person



Theoretical classes:

The main theoretical concepts will be explained in each class, with the possibility of using cases, scientific articles and practical activities in order to make the classes more dynamic and consolidate knowledge. The concepts will be put into practice through discussion and group work.

Case methods:

Three sessions will be held for the resolution of case methods, where the knowledge obtained in the theoretical sessions will be put into practice. The activities will be similar to those of the practical part of the final exam.

At the end of the class, the activity must be handed in with the names of the members of the group (4 people) who have attended the session. At the end of the class it shall be verified that only the attendees are in the group of the assessed activity. All members of the group will have the same grade, except in clear cases where a member is detected who has not actively participated.

Final exam:

Consists of a theoretical part with multiple-choice questions and a practical part in which questions relating to case studies must be answered. The format and level of difficulty of the exam questions will be very similar to those of the case study methods and short questionnaires carried out during the semester. The final exam is taken on paper in a conventional classroom at the end of the semester.

Participation in the classroom or in the forums:

Student contributions (active participation in the classroom and in the forums) will be valued, being especially valuable those contributions that go beyond presenting doubts, but that share information that stimulates the learning of the contents related to the subject.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



FIRST CALL

There are two assessment modalities (Option A and Option B) which students must take during the first two weeks after the start of the course:

  • Option A: Final exam (60% of the final mark), case methods (3: 40%, each MC: 13.33%).
  • Option B: Final exam (80% of the final mark) and one case method (20% of the mark).

 *Class participation: in both modalities it would mean up to 1.5 extra points of the final grade as long as the student has obtained at least a 4 in the exam.

 

SECOND CALL 

In the event of a fail in the first sitting, the student must sit the final exam in the second sitting. The grade of the second sitting will make up 85% of the mark obtained in the exam. The remaining 15% may be obtained from the grade for the case study methods and/or the group work carried out throughout the course.

 

* In both the first and second sittings, the final mark that constitutes a pass in the course is 5 points.

 

Communication

Communication with the group will be done exclusively through the NOTICE FORUM, so it is compulsory reading. The announcements forum will contain messages from the teaching staff to the students, both on course procedures and contents. It is the student's obligation to read the notice forum, and all communications in it will be taken as known. All information on timetable changes, assigned classrooms, among other matters, will be available in this forum.

In addition, a CONSULTATION AND DISCUSSION FORUM will be available so that students can ask questions, either about logistical aspects of the subject, or about aspects they consider of interest and want to share them with the other members of the class. The latter will be candidates for assessment and will be counted as part of the extra points.

Communication by e-mail is reserved for relevant personal matters, all other communications must be made through the forum.

Bibliography and resources

Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona: www.aspb.es

American Public Health Association: www.apha.org

Association of Public Health Observatories: www.pho.org.uk

Escuela Nacional de Sanidad: www.isciii.es

European Public Health Association: www.eupha.org

Harvard School of Public Health: www.hsph.harvard.edu

Health Protection Agency: www.hpa.org.uk

Institute of Medicine: www.iom.edu

Pan American Health Organization: www.paho.org

Public Health Agency of Canada: www.publichealth.gc.ca

World Health Organization: www.who.int

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 26/01/2026 A16 10:00h
  • E1 26/01/2026 A15 10:00h
  • E2 30/06/2026 I1 10:00h
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