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

Individuals with chronic health conditions experience a wide range of physical, social and psychological problems requiring nursing intervention. Nurses require an advanced level of knowledge appropriate to prevent and manage these health problems, as well as skills in the implementation and evaluation of self-management supportive strategies in the context of an interdisciplinary team.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to further develop your understanding of the context and management of chronic health conditions from a nursing perspective with an emphasis on supporting the patient/client to engage with self-care management from across the lifespan. This will be achieved by exploring the common features of chronic conditions.

Objectives

The unit will enable you to:

1. Analyse the impact of chronic condition/s on a person's sense of self, the family, carers and the community;



2. Explore common symptoms associated with chronic conditions;



3. Apply and critically evaluate the concepts of self-care management; and



4. Implement and critically evaluate nursing practice to support people with chronic conditions.

Content

Module 1: Impact of Chronic Health Conditions
The module will examine the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and financial impacts of chronic health conditions on the lives of individuals, family and the community.

Module 2: Common Symptoms in Chronic Conditions
This module examines the practice of nurses in providing support and health care for commonly experienced symptoms for people who are living with chronic conditions.

Module 3: Supporting Chronic Self-Care Management
This module considers the conceptualisation of self-management and the role of nurses in supporting people to engage in chronic condition self-care. It will examine holistic assessment, goal setting, motivational interviewing, health coaching, chronic care action plans, developing a support network, and advanced care planning.

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: Critique
Description: Impact of chronic health conditions encountered in clinical practice
Relates to objectives: 1.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Expository Essay
Description: Symptom burden in chronic health conditions and nursing management strategies
Relates to objectives: 2.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 9

Assessment name: Professional Plans
Description: Critical application of supportive self-management plan for person with a chronic health condition encountered in clinical practice
Relates to objectives: 1-4.
Weight: 50%
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: 27-Nov-2012