Quality Care, Therapeutic Efficiency and Quality of Life

Course Tutors

Pierrakos George

Course Outline

The aim of the course is the development of specialised knowledge, skills and competences by postgraduate students in the field of therapeutic effectiveness and related quality of life in combination with the quality of care provided. The curriculum of the course aims to continue the development of autonomous knowledge and skills at a high level through the deepening of postgraduate students in the complex concepts of quality care as well as the ability to apply professional skills, exploring a set of basic and specific parameters and factors towards a multidimensional and multifactorial approach. 

In particular, these factors concern the organisation of work within the framework of the principles, methods and techniques of modern management, the development of the health and social care record, the quality of communication between staff of different specialties and the user of services, the sociological approach to employment relations and roles, the analysis of the psychosocial behaviour of human resources in the field of health and social care services, personal quality in combination with the quality of work, the social roles in the therapeutic relationship between health and social care professionals and the user of services either during the short term or during the long-term therapeutic process, the resulting therapeutic effectiveness and usefulness, the satisfaction of the user and, by extension, the quality of care provided.

These factors also concern individual and social representations, perceptions and attitudes, individual and social health behaviour and modern lifestyle, social inclusion and support, as well as the associated quality of life of the vulnerable/susceptible groups or the general population both at the level of the contemporary social individual and at the level of the local community.

In addition, the course aims at understanding, consolidating and practicing the methods and techniques of analysis of the various psychosocial and socio-cultural factors that affect the organisation and administration of health services. In this sense, postgraduate students will possess the necessary knowledge in the individual subject areas of the course and will be able to exercise modern and effective roles in the administration of health and social care services by shaping and exercising critical minds on issues that are of direct interest to their daily operation. 

Upon successful completion of the course, the postgraduate student will be able to:                          

• Understand the vital difference between the critical characteristics of quality of care, therapeutic effectiveness and related quality of life, by developing autonomous knowledge and skills at a high level.
• Distinguish the association and synergy of the therapeutic relationship with the specific agents and factors of the organisation and administration of health and social care services.
• Distinguish the association and synergy of the related quality of life with the therapeutic effectiveness and the specific parameters that influence and determine the assurance and continuous improvement of quality of care.
• To understand the importance of the use of the health and social care record as the organisational focus of the provision of services, the quality of communication between health professionals, the flows of reliable information and the resulting surplus value.
• Be aware of the methodological tools and analysis techniques of the employment relations and roles of human resources in health and social care services.
• Distinguish the key roles in a case study of interactive communication and synergy and evaluate the individual roles as well as the two-way dynamics of the group being developed.
• Develop cognitive skills (the use of logic, intuitive and creative thinking) and practical skills (competency in using methods, techniques and tools).
• Use the methodologies for designing, analysing and evaluating the quality of health care in combination with therapeutic effectiveness, usefulness and user satisfaction of health and social care services.
• Develop capabilities to apply knowledge and skills in the context of the creation of a case study plan in the field of quality of care and therapeutic effectiveness.
• Further apply specialised knowledge and skills to solve new, interdisciplinary or unforeseen issues and decision-making based on inductive thinking.
• To contribute to the creation of new knowledge and good practices by developing operational crisis management capabilities.
• Take autonomous responsibility and leadership initiatives in managing a working group in health and social care services and evaluating the performance of its work.
• Possess the learning skills that enable him/her to pursue his/her studies in a self-sufficient or autonomous manner.