As the world evolves, so do the sciences and professions that support it. Healthcare, for instance, remains one of the must-haves in life, and as such, its education curriculum must be dynamic and adaptive. In 2019, the health education curriculum introduced several key changes that are geared towards equipping learners with the relevant knowledge and skills to improve health outcomes. In this article, we explore the crucial changes and what they mean for the learners and the healthcare space.
Formalizing Health Education
Historically, health education has always been viewed as a part of the healthcare profession. However, the 2019 health education curriculum framework sought to elevate its importance by making it a distinct course of study. Formalizing health education makes it easier for learners to understand the subject entirely and provides them with a pathway to pursue careers in this field. By doing so, it encourages the growth of a health education workforce, which is crucial in promoting health and wellness.
Emphasis on Holistic Health
The 2019 health education curriculum framework seeks to take a more extensive view of healthcare by emphasizing holistic health. In this view, health is considered to involve all forms of well-being, be it physical, mental, emotional, or social. The curriculum, therefore, aims to provide learners with approaches that foster holistic well-being and support coping skills that promote resilience, proper nutrition, and exercise routines.
Digital Health Education
Innovative technologies have significantly impacted every sector of the economy, including healthcare. The 2019 health education curriculum framework recognizes this impact, and therefore, has included a focus on digital health education. The curriculum provides learners with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the digital landscape, including digital health technologies. Learners are equipped with abilities such as digital communication, virtual consultations, telehealth, and electronic health records.
Inclusive Health Education
The 2019 health education curriculum framework recognizes the importance of inclusivity in healthcare. The framework seeks to promote health education that addresses the unique needs of diverse populations and recognizes the important role of culture and ethnicity in health and wellness. This curriculum provides learners with the required knowledge and skills to provide care in a culturally competent way, which improves health outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
The 2019 health education curriculum framework has introduced several critical changes to the healthcare education curriculum. These changes aim to provide learners with a more comprehensive health education that fosters holistic well-being, equips learners with digital health technologies and promotes diversity and inclusivity. The framework provides learners with an excellent opportunity to have a more specialized course of study in health education and encourages the growth of a health education workforce.
(Note: Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)