Bringing the humanities and rehabilitation together to enhance health: New undergraduate program begins September 2024
A new cross-disciplinary undergraduate program, the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities (IRH), is offered through a unique collaboration between McMaster’s Faculty of Health Science and the Faculty of Humanities. This exciting new program will begin accepting applications this spring for its first cohort in September 2024.
The program, the first of its kind in Canada and globally, will involve a unique blend of coursework that reflects the complex nature of health and well-being while considering what it means to be human at its most fundamental level. In their third year, students will be able to apply their in-class learning through an experiential practicum with various community partners.
Under the direction of Brenda Vrkljan, a professor of Occupational Therapy in the School of Rehabilitation Science, the program will graduate professionals who are better able to address the health, social, and human needs of individuals and their communities.
“When considering the core philosophy of this program we asked our campus and community partners deep questions about what exists at the intersection of health, rehabilitation, and the humanities,” says Vrkljan, who is herself an experienced rehabilitation scientist and an advocate for interdisciplinary learning. “Health is more than biology and biomechanics. It’s about our interaction with the world, our identity, and how we interact with our environment.”
Fundamentally, the IRH program acknowledges the World Health Organization’s emphasis on the social determinants of health, which is an appreciation of how a person’s cultural background and economic situation can impact everyday life and health trajectories. The aim is to give students a robust understanding of well-being and quality of life. “We’re preparing students not just for careers but for lifelong learning and growth, as engaged citizens in their community,” Vrkljan notes.
The creative spark
The development of the IRH program was driven by an analysis of existing educational offerings and a forward-looking vision. The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Pamela Swett, shared the inspiration for the development of this unique degree; “We were inspired by McMaster’s legacy of educational innovation and the realization that addressing health and well-being could be strengthened by using a combined rehabilitation and humanities lens.”
Dina Brooks, associate vice-president, Academic, in the Faculty of Health Sciences, is similarly thrilled about this new program. “The IRH program emphasizes communication, discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship. These skills are integral to both the arts and the rehabilitation sciences,” adds Brooks.
Graduates of the IRH program will be poised for a range of careers, which reflects the program’s interdisciplinary nature. “What we want our students to recognize is that job titles may evolve, but the essence of rehabilitation, health, and creativity remain,” indicates Vrkljan.
Unique experiential learning inside and outside the classroom
While the integration of health and humanities is not new, the IRH program distinguishes itself through its focus on rehabilitation, equity, and inclusion. “It’s about making the learning active and engaging to appreciate the depth of human experience and understanding,” Vrkljan elaborates. She envisions graduates of the program will be seen as changemakers, equipped to identify and seize opportunities for innovation in healthcare and beyond.
Engagement with public and private sector stakeholders has revealed a growing enthusiasm for the unique skill set IRH graduates will bring to the workforce. “There is a shift taking place in health systems where there is an increasing focus on patient-centred care,” says Omar Aboelela, assistant vice president of partnerships at CBI Health. “With this shift, comes a need for a new type of health care provider who focuses on the ‘human aspects’ of working in health and social sectors. The IRH program addresses this need and fills a major gap in undergraduate education by providing graduates with the communication, teamwork, and human elements from the arts, paired with the health and rehabilitation background to offer a complete patient experience.”
Students will emerge from the IRH program with an enhanced worldview, problem-solving skills, and an enduring curiosity. “Our goal is not to provide a recipe for addressing health issues and other concerns,” says Vrkljan. “The program encourages students to remain open, curious, and committed to lifelong learning.”
A privilege and a promise
Directing the IRH program is a privilege that Vrkljan does not take lightly. As an award-winning educator, researcher, mentor, and community volunteer, including being named a YWCA Woman of Distinction, Vrkljan brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to this new program. “It’s an opportunity to address gaps in current coursework that includes experiential and community-engaged learning that will contribute to a brighter future for our students and society.”
As the IRH program welcomes its inaugural cohort of 50 students this September, McMaster University reaffirms its commitment to innovation in health education. Through this unique interdisciplinary approach, the program is set to empower a new generation of health professionals, ready to navigate the complexities of human health with both compassion and curiosity.
Internal applications to the IRH program will open soon and students must apply by April 30, 2024. External applicants must apply by March 30, 2024. To learn more about the application process, visit the Future Students page of the IRH website.
Program representatives will have a table at the Major’s Fair, on March 6, 2024, in L.W. Wilson Hall and in MUSC (beside Starbucks) from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Announcements, Program Launch