HEALTH INTERVENTION CASE STUDIES

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This coursework is a problem-based learning exercise, which requires you to write a case study
report containing an evaluation of the problem (i.e. the case study) and your proposals for what
action you think should be taken to address the problem (i.e. a treatment intervention or
management plan for that case). Choose ONE case study and think about how it relates to the
material taught in this module.

CASE STUDIES

HEALTH INTERVENTION CASE STUDIES – CHOOSE ONE CASE ONLY

CASE A
Francis Grant is 39 years old and has recently returned to full-time work as the manager of a
busy sales team following the birth of her first child. She enjoyed her maternity leave and was
unsure about going back to work full-time. However, Francis has always been very ambitious,
having worked her way up the ranks in this company since she left school, and felt that having a
baby should not interfere with her plans. She is finding the workload hard to manage, has
difficulty concentrating at times and in prioritising tasks. Since returning to work she has
experienced several acute episodes of palpitations and sweating. She recently brought the
wrong USB stick with her to an important presentation and was unable to give the sales pitch on
time, the presentation had to be couriered over which caused delays and meant that the
customer did not offer her company the contract. Francis’s husband, Charles (44), has always
been supportive but has recently lost his job in the City and though he was initially pleased
about the baby now seems distracted and withdrawn and appears to have lost interest in both
of them. Charles hasn’t looked into finding a new job, gets up late, and does nothing to help
with the baby. Francis has to take the baby to the nursery on the way to work and pick her up
again. Francis has tried to encourage Charles to go to the GP but he refuses to go saying that
there’s nothing wrong with him. Francis feels quite socially isolated, struggling with her role as a
new mum and the pressures of her job, and is worried that Charles appears to be depressed.
Her parents and brother live in Australia and she hasn’t got friends nearby as they moved to
London for Charles’s job. She visits her GP who diagnoses anxiety caused by stress and discusses
treatment options with her, suggesting trying either CBT or counselling.

CASE B
Ruben is a 30 year old homosexual man living in Brixton with his mother. He smokes 20
cigarettes a day, does not exercise and is currently unemployed. Ruben was aware of his
sexuality when he was in his teens; and was bullied at school as a consequence of his emerging
sexuality. Whilst his mother had been supportive of Ruben’s sexuality, his father had refused to
talk to him, where arguments between his parents had erupted. Ruben’s mother had been given
an ultimatum by her husband stating its ‘either me or him’. She decided to protect and support
her son, which resulted in divorce. Ruben has feelings of guilt and depression and blames
himself for his parent’s divorce. Also, he has had recent concerns that since he is the only child,
he would not provide his parents with any grandchildren. Ruben began binge eating large
amounts of food within two hour periods. Most of his food binges are sweet foods where his
dietary intake has gradually deteriorated. Ruben reports a total loss of control during such
episodes. This is followed by inappropriate and recurrent compensatory behaviours in order to
avoid gaining weight. Ruben goes through a combination of fasting (including diet drinks and the
substitution of food for vitamins and herbal medications including diuretics) and laxatives
including very high doses of vitamin C. This pattern of binging and compensatory behaviours
has lasted for several years. Whilst he tried to keep his eating behaviour from his mother, she
has become aware of the situation and wishes to organise treatment for him. Ruben is close to
his mother, but at times he feels that she can be overpowering and overbearing at times. The
G.P has referred Ruben to you for treatment.

The report should contain the following sections:
Background to the problem. The following points may be discussed:§
1. Knowledge of the case problem described
2. Historical and conceptual background of the problem and any psychological,
environmental and social issues associated with it
3. The nature of the problem being addressed in the intervention
4. The role of culture, gender, ethnicity and age
Design of intervention. The following points may be discussed:§
1. Background to the type of intervention being used
2. Reference to where the intervention is going to be delivered
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4. A clear justification for the type of intervention
5. The theoretical basis of the intervention
6. The pros and cons of the theory used and justification for the theoretical
background used.
7. Psychological and social factors relevant to the intervention
8. A clear description of the intervention to enable replication
9. Effectiveness of the intervention
10. Summary of the expected outcome of the intervention with clear justification
Problems to be envisaged in the application: This may contain a§ discussion of the
following:
1. Any relevant issues in carrying out the intervention
2. An appreciation of what could be done next
3. Critical appreciation of the benefits of the intervention.

Develop a process for using research and empirical measurement to evaluate your work with a client or in a program.

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The purpose of this assignment is to help you develop a process for using research and empirical measurement to evaluate your work with a client or in a program.
1. Description: A brief description of the client (including sociodemographic information, the client’s situation, very brief clinical summary and clients strengths/resources) or the program (including agency mission, services being evaluated, context and resources of the program). (Approximately ½ page)
2. Problem Formulation/Theoretical Orientation/Literature Review: This is where you will discuss your formulation of the client’s problem(s) or the focus of the program. What does your diagnostic impression tell you about how to conceptualize the problem and how to intervene? Provide a brief literature summary relevant to your client’s problem that contains at least 2 empirical articles on the problem and 2 empirical articles on the intervention. For those evaluating programs, find 2 empirical articles on the clientele served and 2 empirical articles on the service or program being offered (or a close match to your agency). (About ½ page)
3. Problem Definition and Focus of Treatment: Clearly state the mutually agreed upon goals and objectives of your work with the client. Objectives should be specified in measurable terms and should be consistent with your problem formulation and chosen intervention.. The objectives should meet the following 4 conditions:
a. Direction: Do you want the measure to go up or down?
b. Level: At what level do you consider the objective to successful?
c. Duration: How long does the level in step b needs to be maintained to be considered successful
d. Time to completion: How long do you expect achieving the objective to take (e.g., one-two weeks, a month)? (Approximately 1 page)
4. Change Indicators: Present the measurable indicators of the change that you are working towards. The description of your measurement plan should include
a. Description of the measure(s) (e.g., standardized instrument, observational measures, self-anchored) you are using (attach copies of the measures to you are using).
b. Discuss any reliability and validity information that is available for your measure(s)
c. Provide a brief rationale for your choice of measure(s), including strengths and limitations. (Approximately 1 page)
5. Briefly describe the design you will be using (e.g., single subject) and your plan for measuring change. (1/2 page) Provide a graph of the way you think your measurement would look for a successful intervention.

Use systematic review methods to evaluate interventions that attempt to reduce health inequalities and then draw your own evidence-based conclusions.

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Use systematic review methods to evaluate interventions that attempt to reduce health inequalities and then draw your own evidence-based conclusions.

Within this brief you are free to select any public health issues from the topics taught on the module or from your wider reading. There are three elements that you will need to consider when deciding on the focus of the essay:
(i.) the ‘exposure’ variable (e.g. SES; gender; ethnicity)
(ii.) the outcome variable (e.g. mortality, quality of life, cardiovascular disease, dental caries)
(iii.) the intervention
Before you begin your assignment it is strongly recommended that you conduct some preliminary scoping searches to ensure that your research question will be answerable.
§ Write clearly, concisely and accurately in academic style;
§ Structure the assignment in a coherent and logical manner, using sub-headings as appropriate.
§ Observe the conventions of Harvard referencing;
§ Present a clear research question (RQ) with a robust rationale drawing on influential and up-to-date literature;
§ Use appropriate theoretical frameworks to explore the RQ;
§ Demonstrate that your review is addressing a knowledge gap.
§ Demonstrate an understanding of systematic review methods;
§ Report an explicit, systematic and replicable search strategy describing how appropriate empirical studies were identified, selected and appraised, and justify this strategy;
§ Present a PRISMA flow diagram;
§ Present a narrative and tabular summary of the key findings from the selected studies;
§ Critically appraise the individual studies;
§ Synthesise the evidence into a logical and coherent overarching narrative;
§ Draw evidence-based recommendations for policy, practice, research or theory, and justify these recommendations;
§ Consider the broader implications of the recommendations (ethical, cost, feasibility etc.)

Create a new job description for a position in public health following best human resource management practices.

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Writing Effective Job Descriptions
Human beings undergo a natural life cycle from birth to death, passing through several stages along the way. Organizations might view human resource activities as a similar cycle from the initial hiring to the eventual termination of employment for various reasons such as promotion or transfer. Public health administrators are often involved in this human resources cycle, from workforce planning, job analysis, recruitment and selection, on-boarding, training and development, and coaching and performance appraisal. One of the most critical tasks in this cycle is recruiting and selecting individuals for public health positions who have the right skills and qualities for the position. In addition, it is important that these skills and qualities remain current as the organization and requirements change.
Although each organization and position will have unique requirements, public health administrators can become familiar with best practices in human resources. In the Learning Resources, The Public Health Foundation (n.d.-a) provides insights on public health job descriptions based on Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, for example. Such best practices will help public health leaders create job descriptions aimed at attracting the most potentially successful candidates for the positions. Human resources professionals may revise job descriptions for existing staff to keep the organization current, as well.
For this week’s Assignment, review the Learning Resources, including the media titled Recruitment, Selection, and Retention. Consider what the individuals considered challenges in hiring and which best practices they follow in creating job descriptions. Then, read the following scenario. Browse through the various pages of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website, and read carefully through the section titled “Discrimination by Type.” Research online sources for typical salary ranges and similar job descriptions in the Midwest United States.
Scenario:
Imagine you are the Human Resources Director at Lake Troubled Shallows Health Department, from the Final Project scenario. A key employee, a community outreach coordinator, has left the position. The organization needs a new community outreach coordinator. You have been tasked with implementing best practices not only to fill the position but also to reevaluate and improve on the job description.
The Assignment (2–3 pages):
Section I
Create a new job description for a position in public health following best human resource management practices. The job description should include the following:
Essential job duties
Essential qualifications
An average salary range for this position
Recruitment and hiring strategies for this position
Related employment laws (e.g., civil rights, age discrimination)
Section II: Summary
Describe how the job description (including duties and qualifications) might be different today from those needed in the recent past (e.g., 5 years ago) and why. Describe which best practices in human resources management you followed when creating this job description and explain why you considered them to be best practices.