Innovative and Integrated Methodologies in Health and Social Care

Semester 1 · 53156 · Master in Social Work and Social Policy · 6CP · DE

The module develops practical and theoretical skills in innovative and integrated methodologies through labs and courses on participatory approaches, digital technologies, AI, and innovative strategies for social and health innovation.

Lecturers: Sigrid Mairhofer, Barbara Plagg, Sabina Frei

Teaching Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 60
Mandatory Attendance: In accordance with the regulation

Course Topics
The module includes three practical units: 1) Innovative methods in social work, 2) Integrated approaches in community work, 3) Digitalization and AI in health and social care. The labs promote the application of participatory strategies to develop social innovations. Ethical, social, and technological aspects are integrated to equip students with skills to create and implement innovative solutions in social and health contexts.

Educational objectives
- Understand digital transformation in health and social care - Apply AI technologies in practical cases - Reflect on ethical and privacy aspects - Evaluate social and organizational impacts - Understand integrated approaches in community work - Apply social space-oriented methods - Promote participation and empowerment - Build networks and collaborations - Understand and apply innovative social work methods - Integrate digital tools and AI in practice - Design co-creative and participatory processes - Reflect on theory-practice integration - analyze digital and AI-supported applications in healthcare - develop practical solutions considering ethical guidelines - evaluate privacy and social aspects - reflect on challenges of digital transformation - analyze social space-oriented methods and their impact - develop strategies for participatory development - evaluate the importance of empowerment and networks - reflect on practical implementation challenges - analyze innovative methods and their impact in social work - develop digital and participatory practice approaches - evaluate challenges of digitalization - reflect on collaboration between science and practice

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Modules

Semester 1 · 53156A · Master in Social Work and Social Policy · 2CP · DE

Module A — Innovative Methodologies in Social Work Practice (lab.)

Introduction to innovative methods in social work: participatory approaches, digital tools, and research informed practice development. Focus on theory-practice integration.

Lecturers: Sabina Frei

Teaching Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 20

Course Topics
In-depth study of participatory methods such as community work and social space orientation. Use of digital technologies and AI to foster social innovations. Analysis of participative and innovative concepts (e.g., Design Thinking) and co-creative processes. Reflection on challenges of digitalization and science-practice collaboration.

Semester 1 · 53156B · Master in Social Work and Social Policy · 2CP · DE

Module B — Integrated Community Care (lab.)

Practical lab on integrated approaches in community work: social space-oriented methods, participation, empowerment, and network building. Focus on holistic and sustainable development.

Lecturers: Sigrid Mairhofer

Teaching Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 20

Course Topics
In-depth study of social space-oriented methods such as social space analysis, participatory planning, collective empowerment, and network development. Case analysis of successful integrated strategies. Discussion of practical challenges.

Semester 1 · 53156C · Master in Social Work and Social Policy · 2CP · DE

Module C — Digitalisation and AI in Health and Social Care (lab.)

Study of digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health and social care. Focus on opportunities, challenges, and ethical aspects

Lecturers: Barbara Plagg

Teaching Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 20

Course Topics
Analysis of AI applications, and administrative processes. Practical testing of digital tools and reflection on privacy, ethics, and social impacts. Study of living labs and innovation projects in health and social care.