The Faculty of Health Sciences is, by definition, the very model of interdisciplinarity. Researchers and specialists pool their various skills while sharing a common vision. Whatever their field of expertise, these biologists, anthropologists, historians, nurses, administrators, psychologists, educators, sociologists – to name just a few – share a deep concern for health.
Of course, there is no shortage of problems or challenges, says Dr. Denis Prud’homme, dean of the Faculty. However, when such a range of skills and ideas converge, a synergy is created from which the curricula can only benefit.
While globalization, epidemics and, closer to home, an aging population have led to an increase in population health-related problems, the Faculty of Health Sciences has taken action, as witnessed by its strategic direction. It is also solidly committed to the Vision 2010 planning process.
“First we wanted to increase the student population for all undergraduate programs,” says the dean. “Today we have more than 4,000 enrolments.”
In September 2007, the Faculty introduced the new Bachelor of Science in Nutrition program. Given the lack of French-language radiation oncology services in the region, it also recently started developing a Bachelor of Radiation Oncology program in partnership with La Cité collégiale. In September 2008, it will introduce an accelerated program in nursing.
In graduate studies, the Faculty hopes to increase new enrolments from 300 to 600 by 2010. A new master’s program for nurse practitioners has already proven a success, and the Faculty is developing a Master of Health Sciences program. Enrolment is already high in the nursing doctoral program, and the human kinetics doctoral program was launched this year. The Faculty has also requested a rehabilitation doctoral program, and submitted a graduate certificate in auditory-speech studies for approval.
“The enrichment of the learning experience is central to all our initiatives,” says Dr. Prud’homme. “Our programs have an inherent interest, that is to say that the closer students get to their job placements, the greater the challenges and responsibilities.”
The Faculty is thus innovating on a number of fronts. Its international health research and education unit is increasing the number of international job placements and simplifying access to them. “This project is a gateway to research.”
In conjunction with the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty is also setting up an interprofessional training clinic with a community component. The pilot project will allow a team consisting of a supervisor and students in nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology and medicine to visit patients at home to assess their needs.
Lastly, to improve the learning experience, the Faculty will create a research unit focused on professional and interprofessional training.
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