Diploma in Men’s Health

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2009 - 2010

  

School of Public Health

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

 

Course Director

Professor Samuel Wong

MD (U of Toronto), MPH (Johns Hopkins), CCFP (Canada), FRACGP (Australia)
Associate Professor, School of Public Health

Associate Professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine

 

 

Introduction

Globally, there has been growing interest in men’s health and a movement towards improving it. In 2003, Hong Kong’s Department of Health launched a multimedia campaign to promote the awareness of male-related problems to the public. This has triggered heavy demands for screening programmes, along with an increase in visits to doctors. As health and healthy living are back in the spotlight in post-SARS Hong Kong, it is expected that such demand will continue to grow.

 

The health profiles of the two sexes show clear differences in terms of mortality and morbidity. Men tend not to seek medical assistance, despite their greater risk of ill health. This is reflected in the organisation and structure of health care services. However, in recent years, traditional models of masculine roles are under threat from changing patterns of work and domestic responsibility, as well as from rapidly evolving female roles. The pressure to adapt has caused all manner of change in modern men, and the resultant crisis has reached every stratum of our society. Men’s fears for their future employability, their worries on self-worth, and their poor lifestyles are leading to the convergence of morbidity patterns that, collectively, point towards immediate action from professionals in all medical disciplines.

 

As a leading medical school in Hong Kong, the School of Public Health is pleased to announce its fourth year of running the Diploma in Men’s Health programme. In this course, we will look at the biological, lifestyle and behavioral factors that contribute to poor health in men. We will further investigate men’s understanding and reactions to their bodies and minds as well as to illnesses.  Men’s roles and relationships in the greater context of marriage, fatherhood and society will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on equipping students with the essential skills of detecting, diagnosing and managing health problems that are relevant and important to men and their families.  This year, we will introduce more clinical attachments and teaching to provide hands-on experience for the students.  We hope that our proactive approach and supportive environment will stimulate candidates’ interests in this area and that our graduates will apply their new skills and knowledge at home, at work and in the community.

 

 

Programme Objectives

*     To provide participants with the knowledge and understanding of common problems and important issues affecting men’s health

*     To equip participants with the essential skills of detecting, diagnosing and managing health problems of relevance and importance to men and their families

 

Programme Structure

The Diploma programme is a one year part-time course consisting of five modules.

 

Teaching Format

Classes will normally be conducted on Saturday afternoons.  Participants will be required to attend three hours of lecture per week and must complete 220 hours of study for graduation. The teaching format includes seminars, tutorials, project work and critical appraisals.

 

Programme of Study *

 

Introduction

*      Gender differences in the utilisation of health services

 

Module I:       Sexual / Genitourinary Issues and Clinical Practicum 

*      Male reproductive health: anatomy & physiology, infertility; male contraception

*      Common diseases of the urinary tract

*      Sexual dysfunctions and treatment

*      STDs and their prevention

*      AIDS and its prevention

*      Sexuality and sexual orientation

*      Andropause: Does it exist?

 

Module II:      Common Diseases in Men

*      Cardiovascular disease management

*      Diabetes mellitus and related diseases

*      Respiratory disease management

*      Management of musculoskeletal diseases

*      Male osteoporosis

*      Sports medicine

*      Male baldness and common skin problems in men

*      Hepatitis B and colorectal cancer

 

Module III:     Evidence Based Medicine and Project Related to Men’s Health

*      Introduction to evidence-based medicine

*      Critical appraisal skills I & II

*      Qualitative studies: Research methodology and analysis

 

Module IV:    Clinical Skills in Managing Men’s Mental Health

*      Psychiatric morbidity in men

*      Essential knowledge on the detection and treatment of mood disorders

*      Techniques for stress management and the psychological treatment of mood disorders

*      Managing marital crises and domestic violence

*      Addiction: Drug abuse and pathological gambling

*      Promoting better health at work

*      Mental health promotion in men

 

Module V:     Sex Counselling

*      Personal counselling

*      Sexuality counselling

*      Intervention approaches in relationship systems

*      Decision-making on sexually-related medical interventions

*      Ethical issues in sexuality counselling

*      Consultation, collaboration, and referral

 

 

Teaching Faculty

The programme will be taught by the academic staff of the Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as by the leading experts from the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority, and by experienced community doctors.

 

Graduation Requirement

The Diploma in Men’s Health will be awarded only upon the fulfilment of the following requirements:

A)     Attendance: Students must attend at least 80% of the scheduled lectures, seminars and tutorials. 

B)     Assessment: Students will be required to complete all course assignments, and pass an integrated examination.

 

Recognition

Our programme is a quotable qualification approved by the Medical Council of Hong Kong.  This course has also been accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME) points and Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) points (1 contact hour = 1 point).   

 

Tuition Fees

HK$42,000 payable over two terms

 

Admission Requirements

Course participants should have a Bachelor’s degree in medicine from a recognised university or possess post-secondary qualifications with a minimum of three years’ full-time work experience in the health-related sectors.

 

Other Benefits

Students can get access to all libraries of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  They can use the Computer Laboratory located on 3/F School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital and have a personal e-mail account.

 

Application Procedure

A completed application form must be submitted to the Programme Administrator together with the following:

 

1.           Photocopies of certificates of academic and professional qualifications.  Original documents must not be sent.

 

2.            An application fee of HK$180.00 by crossed cheque or bank draft, payable to “The Chinese University of Hong Kong”.  The application fee is not refundable.

 

*Application form can be downloaded from here

 

 

Closing Date for Application

30th June 2009

 

Information and Enquiries

Ms. Prudence Tang

Programme Administrator

Diploma Programme in Men’s Health

Rm 202, 2/F, School of Public Health

Prince of Wales Hospital

Shatin, N.T.

Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2252 8431

Fax: (852) 2145 7489

E-mail: prudence@cuhk.edu.hk

Website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/med/cmd/dip_men.html

 

 

* The final content of the programme is subject to the approval of the University, and the Programme organisers reserve the right to cancel or postpone the programme if necessary.