Occupational health promotion in theory and practice

Learning objectives

Upon completion of the module, students will be able to:

• understand the background and necessity of occupational health management (OHM)
• name the essential components of occupational health management in companies and other institutions
• name the various steps and procedures involved in establishing occupational health management and apply them using case studies
• know the essential measures of occupational health management and apply them using case studies
• know the most important external and internal actors in OHM and classify their relevance
• reflect on the necessity of continuous evaluation and quality assurance of OHM
• plan and implement specific health-promoting measures in the workplace (e.g., identify individual needs for workplace health promotion measures in companies, specify requirements for specific measures, determine standard procedures, design individual workplace health promotion concepts to ensure long-term success and sustainability, apply process evaluation methods, and develop specific measures for optimization).

Contents of the module

The module covers the following topics in detail:

• background, history, and necessity of a CHM; legal framework
• the CHM house: essential components of the CHM
• the CHM cycle: the various steps involved in introducing a CHM; key behavior- and environment-oriented measures
• key figures for evaluating a CHM
• key internal and external players in CHM; relevance of health insurance companies and the Prevention Act
• the role of occupational safety and occupational medicine in the context of occupational health management
• work-related health risks and illnesses
• preventive potential of workplace health promotion measures
• needs analysis and cooperation with external service providers/networks
• planning, timely establishment of structures, and implementation of workplace health promotion
• evaluation, quality assurance, and sustainability
• importance of specific measures, e.g., physical activity (to improve/prevent, for example, back and sitting problems, general fitness, body weight, cardiovascular risk factors)
• balanced nutrition (to improve/prevent, for example, risk factors for chronic degenerative diseases through optimized intake of vitamins, trace elements, and other protective nutrients, body weight, or gastrointestinal problems)
• stress prevention and stress coping (to improve/prevent, for example, general performance, high absenteeism, burnout symptoms, job satisfaction)
• special working time issues (e.g., shift work)
• workplace ergonomics
• importance, planning, and implementation of specific training and continuing education measures

The interdisciplinary modules are aimed at professionals working in the fields of health promotion, prevention, rehabilitation, (health) education, and (health) training:

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Sports science
• Nutrition science
• Health management
• Medicine
• Healthcare professions
• Therapeutic and auxiliary professions
• Nursing and geriatric care
• Sports and fitness management
• Fitness trainer

Prerequisites

Admission to a contact study programme generally requires a university degree or vocational training in a relevant profession as well as at least one year of professional experience.

The module is offered in a blended learning format. One semester of part-time study with two weekends of classroom attendance. A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) can be earned when taken together with the “Health Psychology and Counseling” module.

Examination: Completion of assignments during the module; written case study. The assessment counts towards the final CAS grade (50% weighting).

Upon passing the examination, a certificate with 8 ECTS credits will be awarded.

External link opens in a new window:Prof. Dr. Kirsten Steinhausen

Vice-Dean for Partnership and Society
Deputy Dean, Faculty III: Health, Medical & Life Sciences
International Coordinator, AGW/SSB

Please fill out the Download file:registration form and send by email to: Email application is started:info(at)igf-studium.de

Contact: Internal link opens in the same window:Karen Markowski