Health communication (5 ECTS)

Objective

Student can
- apply communication theories and approaches for health promotion
- select and use appropriate communication methods for a specified audience in order to raise awareness, influence opinion, advocate for and enable action on health and welbeing issues
- identify and use innovative communication techniques appropriate for the specific setting, customs, and social and cultural environment

Content

- Theory and practice of effective communication
- Information technology for social media, and mass media in health promotion
- Advocating for health
- Diffusion of Innovations theory
- Health Literacy

Location and time

September 2025 - December 2025 Online

Materials

Will be informed in June 2025

Assignments and materials created by the teacher are protected works under the Finnish Copyright Act (404/61), and the teacher holds the copyright. These assignments and materials may only be used for personal study purposes. Public distribution is allowed only with the teacher’s permission.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods:
Interactive lecture
Distance learning
Coursework
Assignment instruction
Tutorials
Seminar

Employer connections

Metropolia Innovation Hubs
Other network projects

Exam schedules

The student can retake a failed exam twice and approved once. The failed course components can only be retaken once. The possibility of upgrading an approved exam, retake of a failed exam and retake of a failed course components can be retaken once during 28-30.11. 2025.The second (failed exam) retake opportunity is during 9-11.1.2026. If a student fails to justify their absence from an exam or a retake of it with an acceptable reason, the exam will count as one attempt.

For any online exams conducted in Moodle, whether graded numerically or as pass/fail, a minimum score of 50% is required to achieve a passing grade (satisfactory). A satisfactory level means that the core competencies have been achieved.

During the autumn semester 2025, the Exam system will not be implemented for Master’s level Health (YAMK) study modules.

Completion alternatives

Previously acquired competence

Student workload

1 cr = 27 h
The total workload of the course is 135 hours.
Independent study accounts for 115 hours.
Contact teaching delivered online amounts to 20 hours.

Content scheduling

The course will be implemented from September 2025 to December 2025.
More information about the course schedule and content will be provided during the orientation session.

Further information

By returning an online exam or online assignment, students certify that their knowledge is based on independent work and ethical behaviour. All misconduct (including cheating) can lead to suspension from the UAS for up to a year. Act on Universities of Applied Sciences 932/2014, Section 38. To ensure the demonstration of independent competence in online course, the teacher may, at his/her discretion, require the demonstration of competence under supervised conditions or by means of an oral examination. The teacher will announce the method of demonstration at the beginning of the course.

AI:
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to create ideas and sketches, but it cannot replace the student's own thinking and writing answers.

Teacher’s materials:
Tasks and Materials drawn up by the teacher are works under the Copyright Act (404/61) on which the teacher has copyright. Tasks and Materials may not be used other than in their own studies. Their public dissemination is only allowed with the teacher's permission.

Course feedback:
Course feedback is collected on the implementation of the course, which is an important part of the development of teaching and activities. By providing feedback, you have the opportunity to influence the content of the courses and the development of teaching. Feedback enables the teacher to improve his/her own implementation and teaching methods for other courses. Giving constructive feedback will also develop your own work life skills. Course feedback is given anonymously and the person giving the feedback cannot be identified.

RPL:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): The course cannot be fully credited on the basis of previously acquired knowledge. The AHOT decision is submitted to the responsible teacher before the start of the course. Please see the Metropolia AHOT guidelines in OMA.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student displays competence to deal with the basic content of the study unit but lacks competence in independent data acquisition, interpretation and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the context of workplace.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student fulfills the requirements for the study unit well. S/he displays competence in active data acquisition and is able to interpret the key features of the data to a clinical setting. The student has the ability to analyze the acquired knowledge and to apply it to the context of workplace.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student displays broad and versatile competence in the content of the study unit. S/he has great competence in targeted data acquisition. The student’s ability to make decisions shows independent thinking, responsible actions and leadership skills. The ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the context of workplace is creative and versatile.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Pass: The student is proficient in the basic content of the study unit (competence evaluation), but independent data acquisition, interpretation and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the context of workplace has shortcomings.

Assessment methods and criteria

Assignments 0–5
100% attendance in contact teaching required

The learning assignments include a separate assessment matrix based on the competence objectives. The overall grade for the course is the average of the numerically assessed tasks.

Framework for the assessment criteria:
Assessment criteria, satisfactory, very satisfactory (1-2)
• The student displays competence to deal with the basic content of the study unit but lacks competence in independent data acquisition, interpretation and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the context of workplace.
Assessment criteria, good (3-4)
• The student fulfills the requirements for the study unit well. S/he displays competence in active data acquisition and is able to interpret the key features of the data to a clinical setting. The student has the ability to analyze the acquired knowledge and to apply it to the context of the workplace.
Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
• The student displays broad and versatile competence in the content of the study unit. S/he has great competence in targeted data acquisition. The student’s ability to make decisions shows independent thinking, responsible actions and leadership skills. The ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the context of workplace is creative and versatile.
Assessment criteria, pass/fail
• The assessment criteria for a ‘pass’ grade are the same as the assessment criteria for a ‘satisfactory’ (1) grade, which is that the student has achieved the core competence.

Further information

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A study unit or parts of it may be accredited based on previously acquired competence if the student has completed similar studies of higher education and/or the student has work experience to meet the competence requirements.

Further information

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A study unit or parts of it may be accredited based on previously acquired competence if the student has completed similar studies of higher education and/or the student has work experience to meet the competence requirements.