Contemporary Issues In Health And Social Care
Contemporary Issues In Health And Social Care
1 Understand how information relating to health and social care gives rise to issues of
concern to the public
Health and social care information: recurrent themes e.g. finance, resourcing, political
context, collaborative care, standards, disability, child abuse enquiries
Dissemination of information: through the media; through informative leaflets; use of visual
images; developing a portfolio of media coverage
Perspectives in the presentation of information: moral panic; discursive perspectives on the
media
Influences on attitudes and behaviour: format of presentation; style of presentation; content
People: individuals; groups; communities; professionals; pressure groups; lobbyists;
marketers, policy formers; others as appropriate
Developments in health and social care: legislation; codes of practice; services;
professionalism
2 Understand how issues of public concern related to health and social care are
presented in the media
The role of the media: responding to and shaping public opinion eg stereotyping, moral
panics, political bias
Sources of information: as relevant e.g. newspapers (local and national), magazines,
websites, television channels (both commercial and public)
Reliability of sources of information: the question of ownership; political and religious
agendas; pressure groups; government sources; conflicting views of current issues eg how
the ideological or political perspectives of different media sources impact on the way news is
presented or ‘spun’
The impact of the internet: on news media, politics and professional practice eg news as a
commodity, the dominance of a small number of primary news sources, lack of critical
scrutiny, ‘dumping down’ of news
3 Be able to carry out research into different perspectives on a specific issue relating
to health and social care
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Specialist sources of current information: as relevant e.g. websites, news media and journals
Electronic sources for current information: e-journals; government websites; media websites;
user group and pressure group websites
Key issues: outline issues e.g. public and private service providers, professionalism and
bureaucracy, users of services and consumers, regulation and the market
Influence of cultural context: awareness of e.g. religious and moral beliefs, cultural
perspectives on individual and communal rights, academic freedom
Presentation and emphasis of media and policy makers: ‘spin’ and marketing of issues
4 Understand the likely influence contemporary perspectives on health and social
care issues will have on the development of services
Interrogate information collected: critically evaluate e.g. what is the evidence, validity,
reliability, key arguments; summarise; draw conclusions
Impact on services: possible outcomes e.g. privatisation, reduction of resources, changing
threshold criteria, discrimination
Different interpretations of information: subjectivity e.g. selective use of data, selective use of
professional and academic opinion, political and ideological bias in interpretation; genuine
disagreement over the correct interpretation of information
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Assessment Criteria
To achieve PASS grade the student must meet all the learning outcomes mentioned below:
Merit Descriptors
Merit Descriptors Exemplar Indicative Characteristics
In order to achieve merit the
learner must:
The learner’s evidence shows for example
Identify and apply strategies to find
appropriate solutions
Effectives judgments have been made
Complex problems with more than one variable have been
explored
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Distinction Descriptors
An effective approach to study and research has been
applied
Select/design and apply
appropriate methods/techniques
Relevant theories and techniques have been applied
A range of methods and techniques have been applied
A range of sources of information has been used
The selection of methods and techniques/sources has
been justified
The design of methods/techniques has been justified
Complex information/data has been synthesised and
processed
Appropriate learning methods/techniques have been
applied
Present and communicate
appropriate findings
The appropriate structure and approach has been used
Coherent, logical development of principles/concepts for
the intended audience
A range of methods of presentation have been used and
technical language has been accurately used
Communication has taken place in familiar and unfamiliar
contexts
The communication is appropriate for familiar and
unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been
used.
