Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Increasingly people experience multiple co-morbid chronic health conditions which necessitate interdisciplinary teamwork. This unit is designed to further develop the capability of registered nurses to provide nursing interventions as active contributors in healthcare teams for people experiencing co-morbid chronic health conditions. These concepts will also provide the basis for exploring advanced practice roles for nurses in chronic health conditions prevention and management.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to increase your capability to manage complex chronic health conditions in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare sectors. This will be achieved by exploring co-morbidity, interdisciplinary healthcare teams and advanced nursing practice roles.

Objectives

The unit will enable you to:

1. Synthesise the interrelationship between chronic conditions and the impact of co-morbidity on health;



2. Effectively communicate assessments and decisions to the interdisciplinary healthcare team and other relevant service providers;



3. Apply ethical, socially inclusive and culturally safe principles in health professional practice; and



4. Critically explore advanced practice nursing in the provisions of management of patients/clients in primary, secondary and tertiary health care settings with co-morbid chronic conditions.

Content

Module 1: Co-Morbidity of Chronic Conditions
The module will examine the complexity of co-morbid chronic conditions and the provision of nursing interventions. It will explore the link between co-morbid chronic conditions, adherence, depression, social isolation, and quality of life. It will also include an examination of the impact of living with multiple complex chronic conditions on the older person.

Module 2: Interdisciplinary Teams
This module will examine collaborative interdisciplinary healthcare teams required to effectively prevent and manage complex chronic health conditions. It will include an exploration of facilitators and barriers to effective teamwork.

Module 3: Advanced Practice Nursing
This module will examine the current and emerging roles for nurses to provide advanced practice nursing interventions that are ethically sound, socially inclusive and cultural safe for people with chronic health conditions. It will also include an exploration of the advanced practice nurse role across the healthcare sector including primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare settings.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

A variety of approaches to teaching and learning will be adopted to encourage a broad understanding of knowledge and skills in acute and chronic nursing care practice in a range of locations. You will be encouraged to think critically about key health needs and problems experienced by individuals and families in their specialty through analysis of literature, case study analysis, contribution to class discussions and assessment items. The unit is offered through the Blackboard website and you will receive a comprehensive study guide and a list of suitable readings. The study guide will provide a framework for your readings and encourage critical analysis through a program of learning activities.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed throughout the semester.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.

Assessment name: Evidence Review
Description: Review of the evidence related to comorbidity of chronic health conditions encountered in practice
Relates to objectives: 1 & 4.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Communication Skills Activity
Description: Critical reflection of communication skills within interdisciplinary healthcare teams
Relates to objectives: 2 & 3.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 9

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Critical analysis of the advanced practice nursing role for person with co-morbid chronic health conditions encountered in clinical practice.
Relates to objectives: 1-4.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Textbooks:
Lubkin, I. M. & Larsen, P. D. (2013). Chronic illness: Impact and interventions. (8th ed.). Boston: Jones & Bartlett.

Meerabeau, L. & Wright, K. (2011). Long term conditions: Nursing care and management. Wiley Blackwell.

Recommended readings will be provided with each module. Published materials will be made available through the library course materials database.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 17-Oct-2012