MS944-30 Women's Health
Introductory description
Women experience a disproportionately higher burden of ill health compared to men, partly due to the unique physiology of the female reproductive system and the historical underrepresentation of women’s health issues in medical research. Conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, miscarriage, and menopause have often been overlooked, leading to gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, the significant underrepresentation of women in clinical trials has contributed to critical gaps in medical knowledge, reduced treatment efficacy, and gender bias in healthcare. Addressing these disparities is essential to improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable care for all individuals.
Module aims
This module takes a life-course approach to women's health, equipping students with the knowledge to understand and address complex challenges in the field. It explores the aetiology, pathology, and biological mechanisms of key disorders, alongside current approaches to diagnosis and management. Emphasising health disparities, the module critically examines women's healthcare pathways and the broader societal and cultural factors shaping access to care. With an international perspective, it considers how social, economic, and policy differences influence women's health outcomes globally, fostering a comprehensive and inclusive understanding of contemporary issues in the field.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
This module offers a comprehensive exploration of women's health across different stages of life, integrating biological, social, and global perspectives. It examines the evolution of menstruation, menstrual health, and disorders such as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, alongside their impact on mental and reproductive health. Key reproductive processes, including implantation, pregnancy, parturition, and prenatal care, are analysed, along with complications such as pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancies, and preterm birth. The module also evaluates menopause, contraception, abortion, and fertility within the context of healthcare access and patient-centred care. Critical issues such as health inequalities, intersectionality, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, and healthcare fragmentation are explored from both national and global perspectives. Additionally, the module emphasises modern advances in women’s health, including FemTech, emerging reproductive technologies, and strategies to address postnatal and maternal mortality worldwide.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the biological mechanisms of female reproductive physiology and pathophysiology across the life course.
- Critically evaluate the social, cultural, and economic impacts of female reproductive pathophysiology.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of pregnancy, maternal health, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, integrating biomedical and psychosocial perspectives.
- Assess the impact of inequality, intersectionality, and systemic barriers on diverse women’s health outcomes.
- Critically analyse global disparities in women’s health, evaluating policies, interventions, and healthcare access in different international contexts.
- Apply acquired knowledge to develop evidence-based, innovative solutions to complex women’s health challenges at local, national, and global levels.
- Analyse and assess women’s healthcare pathways to identify service gaps and propose improvements in patient-centred care.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Interdisciplinary
Students are expected to draw from a range of disciplines to contextualise complex women's health challenges. This includes having an understanding of the relationships between biological, clinical, applied health , ethical, historical and and cultural spheres.
International
Students will be encouraged to explore and consider health challenges in the context of demographics and global impact.
Subject specific skills
- The ability to critically assess women’s health issues across the life course.
- Expertise in identifying and addressing menstrual and reproductive disorders.
- Proficiency in analysing prenatal and postnatal care practices and outcomes.
- The capacity to evaluate the impact of health disparities and social determinants on women’s health.
- Competence in integrating experimental design and equality frameworks into women’s health research and practice.
Transferable skills
- Critical Thinking & Analysis – Evaluating complex health challenges, interpreting scientific evidence, and assessing healthcare policies.
- Research & Data Interpretation – Synthesising information from diverse sources and critically appraising research findings.
- Communication & Presentation – Effectively conveying complex ideas through written, verbal, and visual formats, including poster presentations.
- Problem-Solving & Decision-Making – Applying knowledge to propose evidence-based solutions to real-world women's health issues.
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness – Engaging with global and sociocultural perspectives to appreciate diverse healthcare needs and inequalities.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Seminars | 12 sessions of 1 hour (4%) |
| Tutorials | 10 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Online learning (scheduled sessions) | 8 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Private study | 170 hours (57%) |
| Assessment | 90 hours (30%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Self-directed study
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Concepts and Controversies in Women's Health | 40% | 30 hours | Yes (extension) |
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The students will be asked to select a topic of personal interest from those covered on the module or from their self-directed research, on which to construct a comprehensive evaluation of the health challenge, and its associated controversies from an interrelated and multi-discipline perspective. The students will be required to synthesise and critically appraise the current standard of care in that particular area of women's health and present a vision of where the field should be in the next 10 years with proposed solutions. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Poster presentation | 20% | 30 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Students will critically explore a key topic in women’s health, demonstrating their ability to synthesise research, analyse evidence, and communicate findings effectively. Students will be assessed on the clarity, depth, and relevance of their content, as well as their ability to engage with questions and justify their conclusions. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Critical Review of Recent Research or Policy | 40% | 30 hours | Yes (extension) |
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A critical appraisal of recent research or policy related to a key issue in women's health (e.g., reproductive rights, maternal health, or menopause management). This assesses students' ability to evaluate evidence, synthesise findings, and develop well-reasoned arguments. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Assessments will be marked using clear grading criteria, ensuring transparency and consistency in feedback. Students will receive a breakdown of their performance across different assessment components. Detailed, structured comments will be provided on submitted assessments, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and suggestions for further development.
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.