15 Jan 2026 (Available)
Apply by: 01 Jan 2026
New Session
Semester B - Online - each session is 2.5 hours, fully online (Wednesdays)
Course overview
This course introduces a relatively new way of approaching shared decision making in health and social care internationally. This approach focuses on shared exchange of scientific and experiential knowledge between service users and service providers. In doing so, the course follows the coproduction approach which has originated in social work, as well as the strengths- based approach, aimed at optimising motivation and collaboration.
Students will:
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1) Acquire in-depth knowledge of conceptual and practice approaches relevant to shared decision making in the context of health and social care, which are drawn from a wide variety of disciplines including philosophy and ethics, risk avoidance and risk taking considerations, service user involvement, clinical reasoning, and values based decision making.
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2) Develop their critical thinking skills, learn to use relevant shared decision-making aids.
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3)Evaluate existing research, with an emphasis on developing the skills necessary for implementing their learning to shared decision making in their own health and social care practice.
This course is aimed to enable students to:
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1) to study an emerging area of personal interest within a professional context.
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2) Develop an individually tailored outcomes-based programme of study with guidance from an academic tutor/supervisor.
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3)Choose a topic that will be relevant to your professional practice. The choice of topic and learning outcomes will be the subject of negotiation between you and your supervisor.
If you have any queries about the module, please contact the module leader Shulamit Ramon via s.ramon@herts.ac.uk
Learning Outcomes
Successful students will typically:
1. Critically appraise and apply approaches to shared decision making in health and social care contexts.
2. Critically evaluate the role of personal and professional values in decision making.
3. Acquire the skills necessary for the implementation of shared decision making in one’s own practice.
Assessment
60% Written case study.
40% Practical - An individual presentation.
This module can contribute to the following programme(s)
Funding
£865.00
The price quoted above is per 15 credits and relates to students assessed as UK/home self-funded for fee purposes. Prices may differ for students that are assessed as EU Overseas/Overseas. Fees status will normally stay with the student for the remainder of their course. Here you can find further details along with, costs and when your fees need to be paid. You may be able to obtain a Post Graduate student loan, for which you must sign up for the whole MSc programme and not just individual modules or a Post Graduate Diploma, further details can be found at Gov.uk Master’s Loan
Why choose HERTS?
Excellent sector connections: we have extensive links with eight NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in Hertfordshire.
Links with over 98 NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in East Anglia and London regions.
Flexibility: we provide flexible study options to ensure you can fit CPD study around your busy professional and personal lives.
Location: the main University of Hertfordshire campus is 25 minutes from London with easy access by both road and rail services.
Course details
Course leader
Ms Kim Tran
Administrator
Vanessa Bysouth
Telephone
01707 284800
Course delivery
Online learning
Downloads
Prerequisites
The programme is subject to the University's Principles, Policies and Regulations for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes, along with associated procedures.
If you are interested in applying for the MSc Advanced Social Work programme, please contact the programme leader Kim Tran k.tran@herts.ac.uk in the first instance to discuss.
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