Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion

Purpose

The qualification aims to enhance the knowledge skills and competencies of Health, Social Work, Agriculture, Education and related workers at district, regional, provincial and national levels and those who will have the responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluating health promotion qualifications in order to enhance the well-being of the population. The qualification is mainly aimed at professionals working to advance the upliftment of the population in general to acquire a broad understanding of the many facets which impact on promoting health and wellbeing, and to develop skills necessary for improving communication between service providers and communities, identifying needs, priorities, design appropriate educational materials, advocate and negotiate policies to strengthen community action, and implement empowering educational processes.

Rationale

The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (World Health Organization (WHO), 1986) defined Health Promotion as the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health. This founding document of modern health promotion practice allowed for a specialised discipline in health promotion and identified five key areas; building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills and re-orienting health services. Health promotion is necessary to achieve South Africa's development and the global agenda for social progress. Mounting evidence has identified that the gap separating the rich and the poor is widening between and within countries all around the globe, which has led to many health issues and adverse social circumstances. In order to develop and enact policies that support and maintain the societal infrastructure that promote health, a cadre of people that understand the health and social problems within the developing countries is required in order to promote health through viable strategies and interventions in order to improve the well-being of all individuals. The qualification is mainly aimed at professionals already working in various public-related sectors to provide them with the theories and practices associated with promoting and advocating for the improvement of the general health of all individuals. By so doing, the economics and social welfare of individuals would also improve thus enabling the Country to forge ahead towards the ideas of the National Development Plan.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to access the qualification where the applicant has been working within a related health promotion context and can clearly demonstrate that they have met the exit level outcomes of a first Bachelor Degree. In addition, learners that have completed a Bachelor Degree in an unrelated area, but have been working in a health promotion context can apply for admission through RPL. This qualification may be achieved in part through the Recognition of Relevant Prior Learning and experience as per the University RPL policy in general, which outlines the structure and processes that must be followed to RPL an applicant when the need arises. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual candidates against the requisite outcomes on a case-by-case basis, with detailed records maintained. The institution has trained RPL in various disciplinary fields to facilitate this process.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor's Degree in Health or related disciplines, Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Introduction to Health Promotion, 20 Credits.
• Needs assessment for health promotion, 20 Credits.
• Planning and implementation of Health Promotion with individual focus, 20 Credits.
• Planning and Implementing Health Promotion strategies with Social or community focus, 20 Credits.
• Evaluation of Health Promotion Programmes, 20 Credits.
• Individual Project, 20 Credits.

1. Integrate prior knowledge with that of concepts, principles and values of health promotion to provide balanced opinions on health promotion and well-being of the population.
2. Apply Health Promotion concepts, theories and strategies to enable individuals, groups, communities and organisations to build capacity for health promotion action to improve health and reduce health inequities.
3. Communicate health promotion action effectively, using appropriate techniques and technologies for diverse audiences.
4. Plan, implement, and evaluate measurable goals and objectives based on assessment of needs and assets/resources in partnerships with stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Describe the different scope of practice within health promotion within clearly defined as well as undefined contexts.
• Evaluate the current models, theories and principles of health promotion within a local and national context.
• Relate health promotion theories and practices to various settings within a local and national context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Capacitate individuals and communities with knowledge of their rights as they relate to health and social wellness.
• Empower communities to question and challenge the social justice of their health situation and to take necessary actions to advance change in their society.
• Assist the communities to develop relevant programmes to improve their own health.
• Design an advocacy strategy with or on behalf of individuals, communities and organisations to improve health and well-being.
• Use advocacy strategies and techniques, which reflect health promotion principles to implement a community-based strategy.
• Foster appropriate collaborations across disciplines, sectors and partners to enhance the impact and sustainability of health promotion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Use appropriate negotiation skills to mediate between two entities to improve the health status of a community.
• Engage with individuals and communities effectively by using culturally appropriate communication methods and techniques for specific groups and settings to improve health and reduce health inequities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Conduct health and social wellness needs assessments and analysis within various contexts.
• Use formative research that involves the audience in the design of interventions.
• Plan health promotion programmes using evidence based interventions.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of health promotion interventions.

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated throughout this qualification. Continuous formative assessment is required to ensure that learners get feedback on their progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes. Assignments are designed to meet the requirements of integrated assessment are such as to achieve: Although each module is assessed independently, an integration of the achievement of exit-level outcomes is assessed comprehensively across modules. Evaluation of learner performance is designed to demonstrate applied competence; Criterion-referenced assessment, which is clearly explained to and understood by the learners, is used in all assessment strategies. The integrated project module provides an opportunity for integrated assessment across exit level outcomes in terms of knowledge, competencies and application.