Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE IHC3015

 
TITLE Empowering Patients and Carers through an Understanding of Illness Perceptions

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Faculty of Health Sciences

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will provide information and enable students to reflect on:
a) various theoretical models which can be applied by health professionals to understand the impact of chronic disease on the individual and their carers;
b) the physical, social, economic, emotional and intellectual implications affecting individuals with a diverse range of chronic diseases;
c) the relationships between illness perceptions and various outcome measures such as adjustment, coping and adherence in patients and carers;
d) the setting up and planning of interventions that respond to the needs and perceptions of the chronic disease sample;
e) the importance of multidisciplinary team as a means to effectively respond to the holistic needs of chronic disease individuals and their carers.

Chronic disease management approaches utilizing will be demonstrated and exemplified.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to develop in students an awareness regarding means of patient and carer empowerment through an understanding of their illness perceptions. Such an understanding may serve to guide any self-management programmes or protocols.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
a) understand various existing models of chronicity and emerging paradigms;
b) formulate and develop potential interventions for selected patient populations and their carers;
c) equip students with personal skills and knowledge needed to perform effectively and efficiently in chronic disease settings and as a professional member of a multidisciplinary team.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
a) reflect on knowledge gained when taking professional decisions on effective and relevant interventions for chronic disease patients and their carers, demonstrating evidence based practice in their workplace;
b) make maximum use of information systems that will enable them to keep up to date with the latest developments in the field of chronicity and which will empower them in their work as health professionals;
c) function and contribute to the ongoing development and functioning of the professional multidisciplinary health care team.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

1. Cameron, L.D., & Leventhal, H. (Eds.). (2003). The self-regulation of health and illness behaviour. London: Routledge
2. Petrie, K.J., & Weinman, J.A. (1997) Perceptions of health and Illness. Amsterdam: Harwood academic publishers.

Various recommended Journals that will be utilized:
1. Journal of chronic diseases.
2. Journal of nursing and health care in chronic illness
3. Social science and medicine

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Not offered to first year students

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture & Independent Online Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Online Moderated Discussions and Postings SEM1 No 30%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Josianne Scerri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit