Title : Digitization of modules in the health sciences for future oriented competences in the increasingly digital healthcare sector Perspectives of an interdisciplinary approach regarding digital literacy
Abstract:
The University of Applied Sciences (HS Gesundheit) in Bochum is a state university in Germany that specializes in a range of courses in health professions. The Department of Community Health's (DoCH) bachelor's and master's degree programs provide special knowledge and skills for promoting health in the field of community health. Competencies for the practice of various health professions with direct client contact and for the care of people and groups in the structures of the health care system are established. Graduates are prepared for trans- and multidisciplinary work contexts. Due to the increasing digitalization of society and the health care system, it is necessary to adapt the range of courses.
Current findings from the teaching evaluations1 (2019 und 2020), which was recently carried out purely digitally due to Covid-19, show that measures to promote digital skills in the student lifecycle, especially in the first semesters, are necessary. A better compatibility of studies and family or studies and employment can also be taken into account by digitizing parts of the degree programs. In the digital semesters, it became apparent that first-year students in particular are confronted with a high level of flexibility - e.g. with expectations of the free design of learning and work locations, definition of working hours and independent learning and working behavior, although there is still a leadership expectation (participatory). These expectations can be met in particular through flexible, digitally supported formats. The first results of the
1 The survey results of the university students (N = 678) and lecturers (N = 46) show innovative digitization requirements with regard to teaching and the strengthening of digital competencies as well as future skills.
conception phase for innovative cross-degree blended learning formats are currently being developed and discussed. The experience gained in the digitization process at HS Gesundheit can make a significant contribution to universities around the world in the implementation of digital and hybrid offers.
User-centered technology support, for example through the location-independent use of expanding realities and interactive, gamified learning content, is developed in the subject areas of public health, medical and scientific fundamentals, social and behavioral science fundamentals, scientific methods and fundamentals of communication and interprofessional cooperation. For this purpose, based on the analysis of existing teaching content and its didactic implementation, an agreement on new competence goals dominated by the changed requirements and the didactic communication will take place - this is done on the basis of the existing evaluation results and studies. At the same time, an overarching concept for the comprehensive blended learning format is being developed. As part of the digitization project, the results and challenges of the procedure are presented in retrospect. Modules as well as module components will be developed as a blended learning format for a cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary basic course in health in the university's bachelor’s courses and anchored in the curricula. The basic health science course should be characterized by flexibility, permeability and increased study motivation, as well as being geared towards the individual learning process
