WELCOME TO THE COURSE
Below you will find more information about the course
As a new student, you need to activate your user account (your Umu-id) approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
With your user account you can:
If you are a new student, you will automatically receive a user account when you are admitted, but you will need to activate it for it to function properly. You will not be able to activate it until approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Install MFA for a more secure login
To increase security and reduce the risk of unauthorised access to your information or account, students must enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to log in to various systems, such as Canvas and the Student Web.
I want to activate my user account and install MFA
If you are an exchange student or tuition fee paying student, you will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your account.
If you are having problems activating your account or logging in, please contact our Servicedesk. You will find answers to common questions, and can submit enquiries.
The course starts off with registration and introduction. You need to be registered on the course in the study documentation system in order to be able to follow the course and to get your results registered during the course. If you are unable to attend during the registration and introduction, you need to contact the study administrator Angelica Johansson in advance, or else you risk losing your place (seat) at the course/programme.
The course runs from Thursday 16 February to Tuesday 21 March 2023. Classroom teaching is given according to the schedule that you can find in the Study guide.
All lectures will be given in Lecture room Alicante (Building 5B at NUS, 3rd floor). See mazemap link: https://link.mazemap.com/nSAjKC2t
You will see that this course differs from many other courses. You have quite a lot of time to work independently and in groups. This puts high demands on planning your studies.
In the study guide we have tried to write out all assignments and how these will be assessed. Please read that information.
The course site at Canvas will open Tuesday Feb 14
Course literature: Øvretveit, J. (1998). Evaluating health interventions: an introduction to evaluation of health treatments, services, policies and organizational interventions. Open University Press.
Assignments
Assignment 1
Critical review of an evaluation
At the Canvas site you have six scientific evaluations. Each group will be assigned to one of the papers. Coming days, work with your paper, with reference to Appendix 2 in Øvretveit’s book: “Framework for analysing an evaluation and assessing evidence” (available in course literature and on canvas).
a)Individual report: (send in Feb 22)Independently write your own review of the evaluation (maximum 2 pages long, 12 font, single space), following Øvretveit’s formula. Identify what you think are the most interesting and important aspects of the evaluation, as well as any weaknesses that you may have identified (i.e. Point 10 in Øvretveit’s scheme).
b)Group work (22-23 feb, presentation Feb 24 , 10:30)Discuss your standpoints with your group and prepare a joint presentation for the whole class (about 5-7 minutes). The presentation should include
a)a short summary of the paper – aim, methods, results.
b)the strengths and weaknesses of the study - based on the Framework for analysing an evaluation and assessing evidence
Assignment 2
Johan Hambreus will present his thesis “Interventional Pain Management Focused on Zygapophysial Joint Pain – an Health-Economic Evaluation” March 17.
The thesis have a cover story and four papers.
Johan wants to continue to do research based on his thesis. You are now asked to make an evaluation plan of an intervention based upon Johans thesis.
I.Hambraeus, J., Hambraeus, K. S., & Persson, J. (2018). Radiofrequency denervation improveshealth-related quality of life in patients with thoracic zygapophyseal joint pain. PainMedicine, 19(5), 914-919
II.Hambraeus, J., Hambraeus, K. S., & Sahlen, K. G. (2020). Patient perspectives oninterventional pain management: thematic analysis of a qualitative interview study. BMChealth services research, 20(1), 1-12.
III.Hambraeus J, Pulkki-Brännström A-M, Lindholm L. Cost-effectiveness of RadiofrequencyDenervation for Zygapophysial Joint Pain. Pain Physician. 24 (2021) E1205–E1218.
IV. Hambraeus J, Norström F, Lindholm L. Cost-Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Neurotomyto Treat Zygapophysial Joint Pain Compared with Pain Rehabilitation Programs Interventional Pain Medicine. 1(2022)100147
Group work
a). Familiarize with the case and the context. Read the thesis and the four papers. Decide upon the proposed intervention. Friday 3/3 & Monday 6/3
b). Identify parts of the course (lectures, literature, discussions) that you want to apply in your evaluation plan. Share your initial thinking about the evaluation in your group. Ideas,challenges, questions are up for discussion. Monday 6/3
c). Develop the evaluation plan and prepare a presentation of the full plan. Max 30 min/group (incl. 20 min presentation, 10 min questions/discussion). Tuesday 7/3 & Wednesday 8/3 presentation
d). Writing up the plan in no more than 7 pages, in your group, for formal submission. Use BMJ New framework for evaluating complex interventions 2021-1.pdf proposed by Anneli Ivarsson as inspiration. Thursday 9/3 - Tuesday 14/3
Individual work
e). Critical review on the strengths and weaknesses of the plan. Tuesday 14/3 & Wednesday 15/3
Each individual will produce a one-page summary of their reflections on what they think are the main strengths and weaknesses of their groups’ evaluation plan, and why. Finalize the summary of reflections on Monday and Tuesday after you have participated in Johan Hambraeus dissertation.
In this course, we use the learning platform Canvas. There you will find for example course schedule, instructions for exercises during the course and messages from the teachers. In order to get access to the learning platform, you sign in using your Umu-id. You will get access to the Canvas site (Evaluation in Public Health) after the first day on the course. If you are not able to attend on the first day it's important that you let us know.
It’s not possible to self-register online for this course.
In order to get registered you need to attend the mandatory roll call at 08:30 am February 18.
In order to access the central IT systems at Umeå University, you need a user account, an Umu-id. You will receive a user account after you have been admitted to studies at Umeå University, and you will need to activate it before you can use it to sign in. https://www.umu.se/en/student/we-can-assist-you/it-services/umu-id/
Checklist for admitted students
Follow this simple list of things to complete your enrolment at Umeå University. It includes: how to secure housing, getting a residence permit (for citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), tuition payment (if applicable), travel directions and more.
The Student web
The website for current students has all sorts of information about services, support, legal and practical matters at Umeå University. You can sign in to the learning platforms, see your schedule and course overview, get a study certificate, apply for a degree or sign up for an examination.
Recommended arrival times
International students are recommended to arrive at least a few days before the start of the regular semester, preferably prior to the Orientation. If you fail to arrive on time, you have to contact the study counselor as soon as possible, but no later than one week ahead of the course start, or you may not be able to register for the programme or course.
If you will have student housing through the Housing Office at Umeå University you will receive information about your arrival in your offer of housing.
Don't forget - Umeå has cold winters, so pack accordingly with a warm jacket, warm shoes, gloves and hat.
Orientation
Moving to a new country with an unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be a challenge. We would like to help you and ease that challenge so that you can focus on your studies. Therefore, we would like to offer you the possibility to take part in our Orientation, which begins a few days before the start of the semester (Autumn) or the same day as the semester starts (Spring).
Welcome Fair
Are you a new student at Umeå University? Visit the Welcome Fair – a perfect opportunity to learn what our university and Umeå can offer. The fair normally takes place in the beginning of each semester.
Get your UmU card
When you are on Campus Umeå, Umeå Arts Campus or Campus Örnsköldsvik, you will need a UmU card. The card has the following functions:
To get the card, you need to apply for it. Here’s how to apply for the UmU card.
Join a student union
There are three student unions at Umeå University:
They are actively involved so that fellow students have a high quality of education, good working environment, and fun leisure time.
Access to Microsoft Office 365
Students at Umeå University have free access to the programmes of Microsoft Office 365. This means that you have access to Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Whiteboard Forms, your student email and other services which can facilitate your studies and your collaboration with other students. To access Office 365 you need to activate your UmU-id.
Learn more about Office 365 and how to install it on your computer