Courses & curriculum 2024 - 2025

Introduction to Governance and Leadership in European Public Health

This course introduces the students to European Public Health, Governance and Leadership. It is an overarching course; it introduces the key themes of each of the strands of the programme, and shows linkage and interconnections. Teaching activities provide first insights into how evidence is used in the political process to provide advice to decision-makers. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills for master's level study and professional engagement in public health discourses.

Key reading
Greer et al, 2022. Everything you always wanted to know about European Union Health Polices but where afraid to ask (3rd edition).  Copenhagen: World Health Organization 2022 https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/publications/i/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-european-union-health-policies-but-were-afraid-to-ask-third-revised

Measuring and Comparing Health in Europe – Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches

Comparison of population health and health systems is at the heart of public health and health policy. Explore, measure, and compare the striking diversity of populations’ health status, healthcare provision, and health inequalities in the European Region using quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches. Learn how to identify areas and issues that require careful study or an immediate response. Perform valid health comparisons and learn to write a European health report.

Key reading:
Verschuuren, M., & Van Oers, H. (Eds.). (2019). Population health monitoring: climbing the information pyramid. Springer.

Public Health Leadership Strand

The importance of understanding leadership as part of achieving public health goals is critical to reducing inequality and improving health. However, the rapidly changing environment and huge variations in available health resources make leadership in public health a complex and constantly evolving issue. This course aims to enhance your understanding and develop your own leadership competencies through the exploration of key debates, introduction to theoretical frameworks, and encouragement of self-reflection. During this course, you will learn to critically reflect and develop a personal development plan, and gain the knowledge necessary for effective leadership in public health.

Key reading:
Czabanowska, K., Smith, T., Konings, K.D., Sumskas, L., Otok, R., Bjegovic-Mikanovic, V., Brand, H., 2014. In search for a public health leadership competency framework to support leadership curriculum-a consensus study. European Journal of Public Health 24, 850–856. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckt158

Identifying and Assessing Good and Best Practices in Health

This module introduces you to the identification of good and best practices. The module focuses on systematic literature review as the method indispensable for this purpose in public health. We will address opportunities and challenges with regard to the availability, quality and suitability of information. We will also reflect on the nature of evidence to be taken into account during the identification and evaluation of good and best practices and the role of evidence in policymaking.

Key reading:
Petticrew, M., Roberts, H. (2006). Systematic Literature Reviews in the Social Sciences. A Practical Guide. Malden / Oxford / Calden: Blackwell Publishing

Europe as one Zone - European Health Law & Policies: The Translation of Evidence into Norms

This course examines how the European Union impacts public health, particularly through the use of its legislative powers. We will start with examining the competence of the European Union in relation to health and public health and how this resonates with the EU’s central objective; the creation of an internal market. As examples, the course focuses on the EU Medical Device Regulation and policy, and the EU General Data Protection law and its aligned procedures.

Key reading:
Hervey T. & McHale J. (2015), European Union Health Law: Themes and Implications, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (e-book)

Research methods

The course prepares students to establish a good quality research proposal for the execution of a research project during the placement. The course teaches research methodologies, the role of theory, data collection, analysis methods, and reporting. Week by week students select and develop problem statements, theoretical frameworks, and a methodology for the thesis project.

Key readings:
Creswell J.W. & Creswell J.D. 2018. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 5th edition. Sage Publications Inc.

Diffusion, Implementation and Quality Assurance of Health Innovations in Europe

Once we know best practices, we must ensure that these are known, accepted and implemented. The focus shifts to monitoring, assessing, and evaluating the implementation of policy interventions. Translate and implement best practices to understand the importance of transferability and scalability. Explore wicked problems and the multidisciplinary approach required to address them. Develop knowledge of innovative practices and non-linear problem-solving skills necessary for ensuring successful interventions.

Key reading:
Petticrew, M., Roberts, H. (2006). Systematic Literature Reviews in the Social Sciences. A Practical Guide. Malden / Oxford / Calden: Blackwell Publishing

Public Health Law and Governance

This course continues the students’ exploration of the field of Public Health Law and Governance. Regulation by law is one of the many intervention tools public health practitioners and decision-makers have at their disposal to improve health and modify determinants of health. The course examines potential or existing legal policy options at regional, national, European and international level to address problems such as tobacco use, the obesogenic food environment, child injuries, vaccination hesitancy, and illicit drug use.

Key reading:
Burris, S., et al. (2016). “Better Health Faster: The 5 Essential Public Health Law Services.” Public Health Reports 131(6): 747-753.

The EU, Enlargement and Global Health

The EU widely impacts public and global health. Reflect on the future roles and positions of the EU and its Member States in enhancing health quality, equity, transferability, innovativeness, and competitiveness in Europe and globally. Examine health implications and strategies related to EU enlargement and the EU’s role in addressing global health challenges. Bring all you have learned in the GLEPH-programme together in this final course, by taking an informed stance on a global health topic of your choice, and developing your skills in communicating. Develop skills in scenario discussion, problem-solving, and communicating with health experts and policymakers.

Key reading:
European Commission. (2022). EU Global Health Strategy. Better Health for All in a Changing World.

Research project and master's thesis

Within the Master programme, ten to twelve weeks are allocated for a ‘placement’ and for writing the Master's thesis. Obviously, the subject of the research project needs to address an aspect of governance, leadership or European Public Health 

The master's programme hosts a network of approximately 40 external organisations across Europe and beyond that offer opportunities for research placements. Organisations include universities, public health agencies, ministries of health, consultancies, public health advocates in Brussels, non-governmental organisations and the pharmaceutical and med-tech industry. There is also the possibility of staying at Maastricht University or suggesting an organisation outside the programme’s network for the placement period.

Key reading:
Bowling, A. 2014. Research Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Health. Services. 4th edition. Milton Keynes: McGraw-Hill Education. E-book
https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/4374657/mod_resource/content/1/Research%20Methods%20in%20Health.pdf