UHAS Allied Health Sciences

BSc Dietetics

The programme is intended to produce Dietitians who will be competent to practice as part of the healthcare team or independently within the legal and ethical frameworks of the dietetic profession and also fulfill their professional obligation to the public by using appropriate clinical reasoning and problem solving skills based on sound scientific and clinical evidence. The programme is tailored to inculcate in the student a strong community orientation and competency in working in the broad food service industry as food service managers. There are sub-interests in the profession, including: The Clinical Dietitian, who works in the hospital setting, applies the science of nutrition to the care of people through health promotion and disease prevention, and treatment of illnesses by modification in the diet. He/she must as a result, be knowledgeable in how socio-cultural and economic factors as well as psychological and sensory factors affect what individuals choose to eat. The Clinical Dietician assesses the client using various methods, arrives at a nutrition diagnosis based on outcome of assessment, implements the appropriate intervention based on scientific evidence, then finally evaluates and monitors treatment outcome.
PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY
The programme in Dietetics is a health professional, skills and competence-based programme with skill acquisition and competence in practice as the central focus. Theoretical courses are included to provide the scientific knowledge underpinning clinical practice and decision-making. The philosophy of the programme is in line with principles from which current health service policies are derived and the current trend of training allied health care professionals at high levels to ensure the best quality of care for patients. The programme will prepare the dietetics students for a successful professional career with the skills and knowledge necessary for providing quality service. It is therefore designed to help the student develop and increase in knowledge of relevant biological, physical and medical sciences and to demonstrate appreciation of the application of diet and dietary modifications to patient management and the use of a variety of methods for feeding. Students will be acquainted with effects of drugs on intake, digestion, absorption and utilization of food and how food can alter the biological properties of drugs, and the correlation of dietary adequacy and immune function. The socio-economic factors that affect selection of methods of food preparation and food choices by individuals and communities will be covered. Experiential learning facilitates any training programme that is performance and competency-based and this is best achieved by the provision of the requisite body of theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience in the specialty area. The students will therefore be offered the opportunity to obtain skills in assessing patient needs through history taking and patient nutritional assessment, and counselling and management decision based on available research evidence. Case studies will be used as appropriate to interweave theoretical knowledge with clinical decision-making. Students are prepared to be able to start their own private practices on completion of the programme and after licensure to practice. Two courses in healthcare financing provide basic skills required to organize and interpret financial information for decision-making. They also In addition, students are introduced to marketing concepts in health care and types and operations of health insurance schemes in Ghana. On completion of the programme, students will be expected to demonstrate a high level of professionalism with a strong community-based experience, orientation, and service in line with the core values of the University of Health and Allied Sciences as set out in Act 828 of December 2011. Community practice and approach is therefore given a strong emphasis throughout the programme and is introduced from the very beginning of the training and continues throughout the period of training.
Programme Objectives
At the end of the programme, a student, in addition to the specific duties of a dietitian stated above, will be able to:

Show a clear understanding of the dietitian’s role in prevention, management and research into diet-related diseases, education and training and community advocacy.
Demonstrate the ability to confidently work autonomously with individual clients on a one to one basis assessing needs, providing
therapeutic advice and facilitating behavioural change based on the clinical and personal information available as well as the evidence base for practice.
Translate the most up to date public health and scientific research information on food, health and disease into practical advice to facilitate behavioural change and enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
Show awareness of his/her role and sphere of influence in the heath team, and demonstrate the ability to work professionally and in a collaborative manner with other healthcare professionals and other staff in delivering a safe and effective health service.
Show a clear understanding of the limits of his/her current scope of practice and work within these and demonstrate awareness of the clinical risks associated with any dietetic care plan
Show familiarity with government policies for the provision of health care as they affect the dietetic service and understanding of policy issues concerned with public health nutrition in Ghana
Demonstrate familiarity with the current systems for the provision of health care, education and social sciences and recognise opportunities to influence health and social policy and practices.
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the key aspects of the range of disciplines underpinning dietetics and ability to critically evaluate and synthesize these key aspects into dietetic care.
Show respect for the rights of all persons.

Job Opportunities
The dietitian may work as a medical nutrition therapist (Diet Therapist) in hospitals and other healthcare facilities including home-health care agencies, manage food services in hospitals and other healthcare institutions or in the world of business such as in hotel and public restaurants and cafeterias of large corporations and educational facilities. Dietitians also work as academics in educational institutions such as the universities, in research, as policy makers in the Government and community agencies, in the media and sports, and as private entrepreneurs.

BSc Medical Laboratory Science

The programme aim is to produce a competent and professional Medical Laboratory Scientist who guides education, develops technical expertise as well as administrative competence, promotes quality patient care, advocates for the profession, engages in research and scholarly activities, and inspires service and able to adapt to rapid changes in the field while maintaining an optimal level of performance.
PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY
In the Medical Laboratory Science programme, innovative educational approaches and technologies are applied to maintain an enjoyable, empowering environment that provides the highest standards of learning and scholarship in the field of biomedical science to a diverse student population. A team of lecturers works in unity to impact the cognitive and psychomotor skills, as well as the professional integrity necessary to meet or exceed the entry level competencies of a medical laboratory science certification to students through the following:

Provision of theoretical and practical competence as biomedical scientists with knowledge of state-of-the-art scientific advances in the field.
Stimulating enthusiasm for continued learning required in their future lives and careers through the provision of higher level problem-solving skills and research acumen.
A well-rounded, broad an education as possible within a professional programme.
Development of curriculum that entails effective balance between academic knowledge and competencies required in the world of work.

Programme Objectives
To train highly qualified medical laboratory professionals with strong theoretical and practical knowledge in the pathological sciences who are able to:

Perform tests with a high level of accuracy, consistency, reproducibility and reliability.
Adhere to strict national and international quality control systems.
Develop proper supervisory skills and effective communication with colleagues within the health care service, patients and the general public.
Communicate results and manage resources under minimum supervision with high efficiency.
Demonstrate a clear understanding of the implications of the limits of their current scope of practice and what future possibilities abound.
Demonstrate knowledge of the health care system, government policies and legal issues relating to their profession and its implications on their practice.
Undertake basic research, provide technical assistance in research and show appreciation for research findings and ability to translate them into professional practice.
Show commitment to a lifetime of learning and continuous professional development.
Uphold patient dignity and confidentiality and show respect for patients choices.

Job Opportunities
There is great potential for employment now and this is likely to be better still with expansion in medical care provision and in laboratory services, and as new technologies develop and become available. Medical laboratory scientists work in hospital laboratories, clinical and reference laboratories, medical research laboratories, and private medical clinics and laboratories and forensic laboratories. They also find employment in medical equipment procurement and maintenance and the food processing and product manufacturing industries. An academic career is available with the Universities which offer training programmes in Medical Laboratory Sciences.

BSc Speech and Language Therapy

The programme starts with general knowledge to provide students with a foundation in the natural and applied sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and the tools of language and thought. In the professional years, which begin from year 3, emphasis is placed on theoretical courses that provide the scientific knowledge base and clinical practice at the Teaching Hospital and affiliated hospitals. Supervised clinical experience provides opportunities for building proficiency in skills in a variety of settings and at different times during the programme. There is a mandatory 8-week vocational programme each third trimester (during the long vacation). Students will work in Speech and Language Therapy Clinics under the supervision of therapists to develop skills and independence and practicalise theoretical knowledge obtained in the lecture rooms. They will develop first-hand experience of actual practice and write a personal portfolio of their experiences, which will be graded. During the final year, each student undertakes a research project and writes a dissertation on that project for assessment as a requirement for graduation.
Philosophy of the Curriculum
The programme seeks to develop and present educational programmes of the highest quality in a student-centered learning environment using a problem-solving, integrated curriculum with a strong communitybased experience and service. It will combine teaching, research and services provision to allow students achieve technical competence and develop professional insight and service-oriented compassion to meet the expectations of a modern health delivery system. To provide a broad education to all its students, all students of the University take General Study Courses, are aimed at providing opportunities for the students to be exposed to a broad learning experience including interrelationships in information and applications. These courses will provide foundations for logic, analytical thinking, communications, writing, topical issues and controversies, African and contemporary Ghanaian issues. All students meet the requirements for the ‘General Education Programmes’ within the first two years. In addition, during these two years, the programme prepares and introduces the student to the profession and the covering foundational sciences so that professional identity is built from the very beginning in the training. At this level, students build clinical knowledge and skills in the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. The third and fourth years focus on the professional part of the programme. This involves training in clinical courses that provide the scientific knowledge and clinical skills and practical at a Teaching Hospital, affiliated hospitals, or at educational institutions. These supervised clinical experiences are gained in a variety of settings and at different scheduled times.
Aims and objectives of the Programme
The aim of the SLT programme is to produce Speech and Language Therapists with a strong foundation in clinical knowledge and skills that have a reflection in sound ethics and professionalism for entry‐level practice and who will fill diverse roles in the broad area of speech and language therapy in a variety of professional environments The objectives of the programme are to:

Provide the body of scientific knowledge, clinical skills and professional attitudes to enable graduating students practice with minimal supervision as Speech and Language Therapists.
Provide students with a strong foundation to develop the thinking and problem‐solving skills necessary for professional development in speech and language therapy.
nculcate into students a strong commitment to an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) based on sound application of scientific evidence, continual upgrading of clinician expertise and appreciation of patient’s/client’s values in accordance with the mission of the university.
Prepare students with a strong foundation in clinical knowledge and skills to develop a firm scientific thinking approach to clinical decision making. 5. Provide the student with knowledge about the changing role of the speech and language therapists within our society.

Job Opportunities
Speech and Language Therapists provide professional services in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, short-term and long-term nursing care facilities, community clinics, and private practice. They also work in public and private schools, universities as lecturers and trainers, research laboratories, Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service Regional and District Departments, home care, centers for persons with developmental disabilities and private agencies such as NGOs.

BSc Physiotherapy

This is a field for students who are interested in medical science and enjoy working with people. The Physiotherapist seeks to prevent injury, impairments, functional limitations, and disability, and also to maintain and promote fitness, health, and quality of life. S/he evaluates and treats patients with disease, injury, or disabilities. Physiotherapy techniques are applied to restore strength, flexibility, and coordination of muscles and joints, to reduce pain, and generally to prepare the patient to function more effectively at work and in activities of daily living. Heat, light, electricity, water exercise, and massage are used. While working with patients, psychological and social principles are used to motivate and instruct. The physiotherapist trains patients in exercises and activities of normal daily living, conducts treatments using special equipment, performs tests, evaluations and complex treatment procedures and observe and report on patient’s responses. S/he is a key member of a team, which includes medical and other allied health professionals, for rehabilitation of disabled patients to achieve optimum functional restoration.
Philosophy Of The Curriculum
The guiding philosophy of the Department of Physiotherapy is to develop and present educational programmes of the highest quality in a studentcentered learning environment using a problem-solving, integrated curriculum with a strong community-based experience and service. The Physiotherapy programme therefore combines teaching, research and service provision to allow students achieve technical competence and develop professional insight and service-oriented compassion to meet the expectations of a modern health delivery system. The programme is intended to produce Physiotherapists who will be competent to practice as part of the healthcare and/or educational team within the legal and ethical frameworks of the physiotherapy profession in Ghana. It is anticipated that not all graduates of the programme will be absorbed by the Ghana Health Service and some would want to work in the private sector including setting up their own private practices. To prepare graduates of the programme for work in the private sector, two courses in healthcare financing are offered. These courses provide basic skills required to organize and interpret financial information as the basis of decision-making and introduce students to marketing concepts in health care and types and operations of health insurance schemes in Ghana. The programme is distinguished by its innovative teaching/clinical paradigm, which includes the application of clinical knowledge and skills within a community-based medical and educational framework. There are compulsory vocational training periods during the long vacations (the third semester) to provide opportunities for hands on practical skill acquisition and proficiency. Community practice and approach is given a strong emphasis throughout the programme and is introduced from the very beginning of the training and continues throughout the period of training. In the final year, each student undertakes a research project in an area of specialization of their interest. This project is submitted for assessment and grading as a requirement for graduation. Thus on completion of the programme, students will be expected to demonstrate a high level of professionalism with a strong community-based experience, orientation, and service in line with the core values of the University of Health and Allied Sciences as set out in Act 828 of December 2011. Each student, on graduating, shall be required to undertake an internship with a supervising Physiotherapist for 12 calendar months in accordance with requirements for licensure by the Allied Health Professions Council to practice as a licensed Physiotherapist.