Course concepts are addressed through learning activities designed to actively engage students in achieving an understanding of the concepts and theories of this course. Understanding is enhanced by drawing on students’ experiences of families with chronic health challenges. Critical thinking and decision-making are emphasized.
It is intended that a caring relationship between course participants develops that reflects the caring relationship that is to develop between the nurse and the health care client. An understanding that caring involves challenge, criticism and nurturing is promoted.
In this course, family theory and families' experiences with chronic health challenges are the focus of discussion. An outline of concepts and essential content is presented below. Course concepts are addressed in relation to the four foundational concepts (ways of knowing, personal meaning, time/transitions and culture/context) integrating the metaconcepts, health promotion and caring. This content varies depending on the experiences, interests and choices of the course participants.
Chronicity
Hope
- spirituality
Empowerment
- dependence/independence, autonomy, control
- critique of compliance
Self-image in relation to chronicity
- self concept, body image, sexuality
- role change
Personal meaning
- experience and interpretation of health challenge, e.g. frustration, anger, suffering, courage, resilience
Personal resources and resourcefulness
- accessing resources, financial resources, knowledge, barriers, support systems
Community as context and resource
Loneliness
- isolation
Loss/grieving
- death and dying
Family Theory
- meaning of family in society (introduction)
- assessment (introduction)
- families’ experience of chronic health challenge
Health Promotion
- related to family’s experiences of chronic health challenges
Healing Process (individual and family experiences)
Context /Cultural influences (diversity)
Chronic Pain/suffering
- chronic pain management
- physical pain
- psychological pain
Time/transitions
- effects of chronic health challenge on growth and development
- personal growth
- normal aging process
- change
- family constellation transitions
- trajectory of chronic illness
Vulnerability/stress related to chronicity
- potential for violence
- abuse of clients
- abuse of caregivers (informal)
Tertiary prevention (rehabilitation)
- principles (introduction)
In this course students have opportunities to:
- examine the principles and practises of health promotion in relation to families’ experiencing chronic health challenges
- examine different theoretical perspectives of the family
- explore the nurse's role in working with families, generally and in relation to families experiencing chronic health challenges, including family assessment
- explore concepts relevant to, and gain insight into, people's experiences with chronic health challenges including rehabilitation
The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College Curriculum Development and Approval policy. There will be a minimum of three assessments which will typically include exams, quizzes, papers and/or student presentations. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. Respect for individual choice and an openness to negotiation guides decisions about methods of evaluation.
This is a graded course.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
- Planned Praxis Experience
- Family experiencing chronic health challenge
- A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.
- Other Resources
- Selected readings
- Medical-surgical textbook
- Pharmacology in nursing textbook
- Selected audiovisual and computer resources
BIOL 1203 (recommended)