Courses

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the core skills employed in patient advocacy. Emphasis is placed on access and application of information, critical thinking and reflective practice, creative and collaborative problem-solving, critical questioning, and communication.

(Listed as Law 940–Online course; Offered only as part of the Consumer Health Advocacy Certificate, or as a standalone course for professional, non-credit students)

Students advocate with patients living with life-threatening and serious illnesses as they navigate the health care system.

(Law, Medical Sciences and Nursing 768–on campus; combination (on campus & online); or online; fall or spring start for all students who have taken the Intro to Patient Advocacy prerequisite; alternative summer start for qualifying graduate students with no Introduction to Patient Advocacy prerequisite)

This seminar is designed to build on the patient advocacy clinical experience by (1) deepening understanding of the systemic causes of problems consumers experience with health and health care in the U.S. and remedial opportunities; (2) examining key elements of, and challenges/opportunities in, the advocacy field; (3) strengthening identity and capacity as an advocate – with particular emphasis on system-level strategies. The course: introduces theories of change, themes, roles, and strategies of system level advocacy; highlights the opportunities and limitations of patients in the policy domain, explores the role of advocacy groups, and critically examines advocacy in the legislative, regulatory, community, and organizational arenas.

(Law 940–offered spring semester; blending learning–on campus & online–or online only)

This course introduces students to the fundamental characteristics of U.S. medical care and public health systems. We’ll cover key factors that affect system performance, including organization, financing, and delivery of health care services; management and policy challenges facing medical care and public health systems, especially with regard to reducing disparities in health outcomes; and public policy processes and analysis of options for system improvement. Using history and research evidence as guides, we’ll focus heavily on using systems thinking to address complex issues.

Currently only open to students enrolled in the UWSMPH MPH program or joint degree programs with the MPH.

This four week, interactive, e-learning seminar is designed to equip future health care providers with tools to improve community health in three ways: (1) by deepening your exploration of determinants of health and the systemic causes of problems consumers experience with health and health care in the U.S.; (2) by introducing you to a range of strategies for creating productive change with and on behalf of groups of patients; and (3) by strengthening your ability to see the connections between the experiences of individual patients and the organizational, political, social, and economic structures that influence the experiences of all patients. We will introduce theories of change and strategies relevant to system level advocacy; highlight opportunities for and limitations faced by patients in the policy domain; explore the role of advocacy groups; and critically examine advocacy opportunities for health care providers in the legislative, regulatory, community, and organizational arenas.

Further, students will enhance their ability to form key partnerships and work effectively with a broad range of other actors central to improving health and health systems. The online course utilizes discussion forums, collaborative documents, and multimedia sources. Assignments will include reflective pieces, and short papers. Community forum participation will factor significantly into the final grade.

(Law 940 – online course; offered for medical, occupational and physical therapy, and genetic counseling students: 2 Credits)

This four week, interactive, e-learning seminar is designed to provide an overview of the complexities of the U.S. Health Care System, as experienced by patients and health care providers caring for them. It will also build your capacity for advocacy in clinical settings by exploring strategies for addressing barriers and inequities, and for harnessing system resources and building on community assets. Study of public and private insurance, medical billing, employment issues, and disability will provide future health care providers with a comprehensive view of the myriad of challenges patients face as they navigate illness and health care – and concrete tools to address these issues that often stymie health improvement for individuals and populations. Each topical module will conclude with guided reflection where students envision prevention and response strategies, resources, the provider’s role, and the roles of other key stakeholders. The online course utilizes discussion forums, collaborative documents, and multimedia sources. Assignments will include reflective pieces, and short papers. Community forum participation will factor significantly into the final grade.

(Law 940 – online course; offered for medical, occupational and physical therapy, and genetic counseling students: 2 Credits)

This externship opportunity is available to certificate students wishing to apply their advocacy skills in a community-based non-profit, government entity, or health care organization. Students work with an Advocacy Faculty mentor to identify a site, on-site supervisor, and prepare a learning contract to guide their experience. The Applied Advocacy Experience is a prerequisite.

(Law 854–on campus; combination (on campus & online); or online; offered to certificate students only)

For Directed Research students work with a faculty mentor on a self-directed project or paper from conception to completion. Past projects have included an analysis of cost-savings as a result of advocacy interventions, a video examining advocacy throughout the stages of cancer care, creation of an information packet for a spinal cord injury support group, and a needs assessment for a community non-profit contemplating advocacy training.

(Law 990: Directed Research–on campus; combination (on campus & online); or online)

This Practice Workshop offered online is designed to complement students’ experience in Health and Public Health Externships and related placements in the Government and Legislative Clinic.

Accessible from anywhere, it enables law students to participate in externships far and near, taking advantage of placements at federal and state agencies, and non-governmental agencies, outside of the Madison area.

The course is designed around six broad practice topic areas: (1) Non-legal skills essential to lawyering, (2) Partnering with other professionals, (3) Organizational fit: Finding the right workplace, (4) Using Data/Evidence to craft legal solutions, (5) Strategic communication and advocacy, and (6) Lawyering under uncertainty. Students will explore leadership skills and how to receive feedback from supervisors, learn about lawyers’ roles in addressing ethical concerns, be able to contrast their experiences with students at different sites, and gain practical tools to utilize in their current externships and future practice.

Course activities include participation in discussion forums, self-assessments regarding skills, attributes, and strengths, weekly written reflections on the relationship between course material and their externship experience, and interviews with key stakeholders in externship sites.

Currently open to law students concurrently enrolled in a Health or Public Health Law Externship or related placement in the Government and Legislative Clinic. Students are strongly recommended to have taken Public Health Law or Health Law (concurrent enrollment okay). For more information contact Professor Davis at sarah.davis@wisc.edu.