{"id":520,"date":"2014-03-26T19:40:44","date_gmt":"2014-03-26T19:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/ebn\/?p=520"},"modified":"2014-03-26T22:38:57","modified_gmt":"2014-03-26T22:38:57","slug":"turning-theory-into-practice-using-community-links","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/ebn\/2014\/03\/26\/turning-theory-into-practice-using-community-links\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning theory into practice using Community Links"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Dr Fiona McGowan University of East London <\/b><\/p>\n

As a Senior Lecturer on a Public Health postgraduate programme at the University of East London, I am increasingly aware of the importance for students to be equipped with BOTH practical and academic skills. This is ever more relevant in the competitive employment climate where possessing a masters degree comes with no guarantee of securing work, whether that be in a job that relates to the subject studied or not.<\/p>\n

Teaching a Health Promotion module to a large cohort \u2013 and one which is very diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, professional experience and educational background, is challenging – but I have found that collaborative work \u2018outside\u2019 the classroom environment brings significant and tangible benefit to the students learning.<\/p>\n

Together with the charity Community Links, I planned an outreach event which the students helped to organise, delivering the \u2018small \u2018c\u2019 campaign\u2019<\/b> which raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel and lung cancer. The small \u2018c\u2019 campaign<\/b> links to the national campaign that is being broadcast to \u2018catch\u2019 cancer in the early stages and to encourage people to seek help if signs and symptoms are noticed. \u00a0The event is organised so that small groups of students work with the Community Links team to engage with members of the public and are strategically positioned \u2013 for example, in both the shopping centre Westfield Stratford City and Stratford High Street. Both sites have high footfall, so the campaign can reach many people \u2013 including local residents and those who have travelled to the area for a shopping visit.<\/p>\n

A stand was set up with posters and flyers to attract attention but it is vital that the message of the campaign \u2018Spotting cancer early saves lives\u2019<\/i> is understood and effectively shared with passers by. This is where students are encouraged to draw on what they have learnt in the classroom environment \u2013 the theories which underpin health behaviour, determinants of health, social inequalities, health literacy, communication skills and to be able to use this knowledge in a practical way.<\/p>\n

I have found that the students though initially quite nervous welcomed the opportunity to actively \u2018do\u2019 Health Promotion \u2018for real\u2019\u00a0and to further develop their practical \u2018hands on \u2018 skills. This is a valuable experience as part of their programme, helping to improve speaking and listening skills and boost confidence when speaking to the public (especially when English is a second language!). \u00a0Student feedback reflects how this consolidates learning and facilitates personal development:<\/p>\n

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