The HiHi module is a varied one, covering topics ranging from demography to pharmaco-epidemiology, and incorporating a significant number of practical and interactive sessions alongside the lectures. Overall, the sessions went well and were enjoyed by both staff and students. Students gave especially positive feedback for the sessions on Geographical Information Systems, and the Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a National Information System in a LMIC delivered by Paul Fisher and Rashan Haniffa respectively, with these sessions being described as particularly ‘engaging and stimulating’.
The module introduces numerous data sources, some or all of which may be unfamiliar to many students. It also demands a lot of data retrieval and data manipulation, and with such a wide range of student backgrounds and levels of experience, it can sometimes be challenging to keep the group moving at the same pace. However, practical sessions were generally very well received and students indicated that they valued the opportunity to get some hands-on experience with the data sources.
Several hours of group work are included in the week. Response to this was somewhat more mixed, with a broad split between students who were enthusiastic about using the group work as an opportunity to collaborate on a mini project – gaining further practical experience with health data – and those who felt that there was perhaps a little too much group work or that this was not always the best means of delivering a particular topic. This is something that the module coordinators will think about for next year, as we are always striving to find ways to improve the module and enhance student experience!
Written by Nicola Adderly – Module Coordinator
