HOVFEL27026 Digitalisation and interdisciplinary collaboration in health and welfare - Vulnerable children, youth and families (Spring 2027)

• Bachelor in Child Welfare
• Bachelor in Nursing
• Bachelor in Social Educator Training
• Bachelor in Social Work
• Bachelor in Work and Welfare Studies

The course is open for international students within the same bachelor programs.

This course explores the dynamic world of digitalisation and interdisciplinary collaboration within health and welfare services. Students will be introduced to various topics and critical perspectives on digitalisation. We will explore the use of digital technologies such as e-health, AI, welfare technologies and robotisation in interdisciplinary contexts. We will also investigate how to foster a just and equal distribution of health and welfare services through digitalisation and interprofessional collaboration.

In the last section of the course, we will explore the critical understandings of vulnerable children, youth and families in health and welfare contexts in greater depth. We introduce the concept of ‘vulnerability’ and implications of its use in policy and professional work. Furthermore, we will explore current and future vulnerabilities and risks of children, youth and families through the concept of ‘The Digital Divide’. Finally, ethical dilemmas related to inclusion, equality, discrimination, trust, and monitoring/supervision in relations between professionals and children, youth and families will be addressed and discussed.

The course aims to provide students with an overall understanding of the complexities and opportunities in the fields of digitalisation, interprofessional collaboration, and particularly the complex situation of vulnerable children, youth and families in contemporary health and welfare contexts. This will be achieved through critical analysis of recent research and authentic examples presented in lectures and seminars.

Central topics covered:

• Digitalisation and innovation within health and welfare services
• E-health, AI, digital tools and welfare technologies
• Digitalisation in the context of inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination
• Critical perspectives on digitalisation
• Collaborative organisation of services in the context of digitalisation
• Interprofessional collaboration outcomes
• Interdisciplinary conflicts and power dynamics/ interactions
• The concept of vulnerability in policy and professional work
• Vulnerabilities among children, youth and families in contemporary and digitalised health and welfare contexts
• Ethical dilemmas in relationships between professionals and vulnerable children, youth and families

Knowledge

The student

• has broad knowledge about the organisation, opportunities and challenges in interdisciplinary, interprofessional and intersectoral collaboration.
• has knowledge about different perspectives on digitalisation, coordination and organisation of health and welfare services.
• has knowledge about how to coordinate services, and work practices.
• has knowledge about how digitalisation of services can influence inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, in relation to ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and age.
• has knowledge about the concept of vulnerability in health and welfare contexts.
• has knowledge about the vulnerabilities of children, youth and families in a digitalised society
• has knowledge about ethical aspects in professional work with vulnerable children, youth and families

Skills

The student

• can utilise scientific and professional knowledge to initiate and contribute to interdisciplinary, interprofessional and intersectoral collaboration
• can identify research literature, and evaluate the use of technology and digital solutions on an individual and structural level
• can reflect upon social inequality and inclusion
• can communicate and critically reflect on the concept of vulnerability in relation to children, youth and families.
• can critically reflect upon ethical dilemmas in professional work with vulnerable children, youth and families.

General competence

The student

• has insight into, and can present risk factors and ethical issues related to digital solutions at individual and structural levels
• can communicate their own perspectives and experiences in interactions with others, and can, through collaboration with others, contribute to the development of good practices in the field
• can identify theoretical understandings of the concepts of ‘vulnerability’ and ‘the digital divide’ in relation to children, youth and families

• Participation in compulsory activities

Requirements must be approved before the student can take the exam.

Approved coursework requirements are valid until the end of the following academic year.

Written exam under supervision.

• Duration: 4 hours
• No aids allowed
• Language: Optional, Norwegian or English
• Grading system: Passed / Failed

Continuous evaluation throughout the semester, where the method for evaluation is agreed upon between the instructor(s) and students.

Written, anonymous final evaluation. The results are processed in accordance with the quality system.