Lectures:

Lecture 1: Definition and Tasks of Social Medicine
Learning outcomes: Understand basic terminology and concepts of social medicine. Describe historical overview. Present the most important roles and tasks of social medicine.
Lecture 2: Determinants of Health
Learning outcomes: Identify and describe the most important factors that affect health.
Lecture 3: Health Inequalities
Learning outcomes: Recognize social inequalities and their impact on health.
Lecture 4:  Special Populations and Their Specifics I
Learning outcomes: Define special population groups. Recognize health needs and health care of special population groups.
Lecture 5:  Special Populations and Their Specifics II
Learning outcomes: Define special population groups. Recognize health needs and health care of special population groups.
Lecture 6:  Health Promotion and Prevention of Diseases
Learning outcomes: Present and list organized activities health promotion and disease prevention at population level.
Lecture 7: Health Education
Learning outcomes: Define and describe basic health education concepts in terms of improving the health status of the population.
Lecture 8: Communication Skills
Learning outcomes: Learn basic communication skills for health professionals.
Lecture 9: Health in the Community - "Healthy Cities", "Healthy Counties"
Learning outcomes: Describe the basics of maintaining and improving health in community. Outline the features of local and regional projects in the organization of public health projects and their impact on community health. Recognize current trends in health promotion at the local and regional level.
Lecture 10: Health and Health Indicators
Learning outcomes: Define health indicators. List the most important indicators and measures of population health.
Lecture 11: International Health Organizations
Learning outcomes: Describe the organization and understand the tasks of the most important international health organizations. 
Lecture 12:  Leading Health Challenges of the 21. Century
Learning outcomes: Identify the most significant risks for the health of the population. Describe the most important leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Recognize selected health statistics data of population and health condition (Croatia, world). List the main causes of global and local morbidity.
Lecture 13: Health Care
Learning outcomes: Understand and describe the organization of health care.
Lecture 14: Social Care
Learning outcomes: Define and describe legal frameworks of social welfare.
Lecture 15: Globalization and Health
Learning outcomes: Recognize the influence of the modern world and globalization on the health status.
 

Seminars:

1. Lifestyle as a Socially Shaped Determinant of Health

Students will be able to explain how lifestyle behaviours are shaped by social conditions, not only by individual choices.
They will be able to identify examples of how income, education, family, work and living environment influence health behaviours.

2. Healthy Ageing, Functional Ability and Social Participation

Students will be able to describe healthy ageing as preservation of functional ability, independence and social participation.
They will be able to recognize key social and health challenges of ageing, such as loneliness, multimorbidity, caregiving and access to care.

3. Quality of Life in Health, Chronic Disease and Disability

Students will be able to explain quality of life as an important outcome of health, illness and disability.
They will be able to describe how disease affects everyday functioning, family life, work, social relationships and patient dignity.

4. Poverty, Social Exclusion and Health Outcomes

Students will be able to explain poverty and social exclusion as important determinants of health.
They will be able to identify how low income, unemployment, poor housing, food insecurity and limited access to care influence health outcomes.

5. Access to Health Care and the Patient’s Pathway Through the Health System

Students will be able to describe the patient’s pathway through the health care system, from first symptoms to treatment and follow-up.
They will be able to identify common barriers to access, such as waiting lists, costs, distance, administrative obstacles and low health literacy.

6. Health Promotion Across Sectors

Students will be able to explain health promotion as a shared responsibility of different sectors, not only the health care system.
They will be able to give examples of health promotion in schools, workplaces, families, communities, media, urban planning and social care.

7. Communication Skills in Medicine: Building Trust Between Doctor and Patient

Students will be able to describe key elements of effective doctor–patient communication, such as empathy, active listening and clear explanation.
They will be able to explain why trust, health literacy and shared decision-making are important for patient care.

1. Social medicine (the script). University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, 2017.
2. A Conceptual Framework for Action on the Social Determinants of Health. Social Determinants of Health Discussion Paper 2 (Policy and Practice). World Health Organization, Geneva, 2010. (Available at: http://www.who.int/sdhconference/resources/ConceptualframeworkforactiononSDH_eng.pdf)

1. Selected articles from relevant journals and books available on the Internet

Students have to prepare seminars based on the assigned reading and participate in discussions. The mentor will evaluate students’ participation in and preparation of the seminars (demonstrated knowledge, understanding, conclusions, seminar paper, etc.). The final grade will be the sum of acquired credits throughout the course and the final exam. The final exam is in the form of multiple-choice test.

Assessment (ECTS credits):

The assessment of students is carried out in accordance to the current Regulation of studies of the University of Rijeka, and according to the Regulation of Student Assessment at the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka (adopted by the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka). 

The students are evaluated during the course and on the final exam (a total of 100 credits). 

Of a total of 100 credits, a student can acquire 70 credits during the course and 30 credits on the final exam. 

 I. Assessment during the course (max 70 credits):  

a) Active participation in seminars and paper presentation (10 credits) 

b) Written seminar paper (20 credits)

c) Short tests during the course (40 credits) 

                                                                                               a) Active participation in seminars and paper presentation (max 10 credits):

                                                                                                                                               Point distribution:

                                                                                                                     b) Written seminar paper (max 30 credits): 

                                                                                                                                              Point distribution:

                                                                                                                    c) Short tests during the course (max 40 credits): 

                                                                 During the course students will have four short tests of 10 questions each (total of 40 questions).                                                                  

                                                                   The schedule and the contents included in the short tests can be found in the following table:

                                                 The sum of the results of all four tests will be graded. The results of all test will be summarized and graded as follows: 

                                                                                                                                              Point distribution:                                                                                                                

Seminars are held during the course. For each class students should be prepared for discussion. It is mandatory to consult with the mentors. Mentors follow the progress of a group and of individual students. The seminar papers will be presented in the final seminar. Students are required to submit their seminar paper (based on the instructions for writing seminar papers) and PowerPoint presentation not later than November 13, 2025. (one week before the seminar presentation). Materials and all notices related to the course are on the platform Merlin.

II. Final exam (30 credits) 

Specific competences are assessed on the final exam. The final exam consists of a test with 30 multiple-choice questions. Credits are awarded only if the student scores at least 50% on the test. 

The students who CAN take the final exam are: 

Students who acquired min 50% credits during the course (35 credits)  

The students who CANNOT take the final exam: 

Students who achieved 0 to 49.9 % credits during the course or who have 30% and more absences from classes. That student is insufficient (1) F and can not take the final exam, i.e.  the course must be re-enrolled in the next academic year. 

III. The final grade is the sum of the credits obtained during the course and on the final exam.