Course 631 reflection

As Course 631 wraps up, I have a few reflections.  The first is that I thought I knew a lot about this topic prior to completing this course, but the more each unit passed, the less I realized I actually did know (class Dunning-Kruger effect!).  From the importance of program evaluation to the use of logic models to the role of models and frameworks to guide program planning and implementation, there is so much more to learn!

Overall my feelings on the learnings are neutral.   On one hand, I fight feelings of overwhelmed by the inequities in the world of the health promotion- from the impact of colonization to the amount of bias present in healthcare.  On the other hand, I feel inspired by the shift in evidence and research in the past 20 years (since I was last in school!) towards inclusivity, engagement, and openly discussing the injustices indigenous peoples have experienced. Not to mention an increasing awareness of one’s own privileges through reflexivity.

An exciting discovery for me in this course is that one of the key concepts in population health promotion align with my experiences in primary care- that clients are the experts in their own health.  Whether though 1-1 interactions, or large population style interventions, the evidence continues to strengthen in this notion.  Representation not only matters in health promotion, it is essential!

One of the most powerful learning moments for me in this course was the unit on strength-based interventions.  In my profession as a Registered Dietitian, it’s not uncommon to approach health issues with a focus on barriers and weaknesses, with often dismal outcomes.  I see the value in a strength-based approach as having so much potential to improve health outcomes in a variety of settings.  This is exciting for me!