| CODE | NUR3528 | ||||||
| TITLE | Social Issues in Nursing Care | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Nursing | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Adequate community nursing care requires an understanding of the client – the primary/community care service user - his/her background, and his/her relationship with the society in which s/he lives. Nurse Education instruction is tasked with addressing advocacy, social justice, health disparities, and health care for vulnerable and diverse populations. Cultural understanding and competence goes beyond racial and ethnic diversity and is inclusive of vulnerable populations who are most susceptible to adverse psychological, physical and social influences. The complex health and social issues related to vulnerable people require education instruction that supports students’ ability to address and care for the multidimensional elements that surround this group. An appreciation of the effects of social, ecologic and industrial conditions on health and the interrelationship of social and health problems, as well as an understanding of the cooperative efforts which are contributing to their solution, are a part of the professional preparation of the community nurse. Study-unit Aims: - To introduce students to the principles of sociology and their application to nursing emphasizing the social factors and resources which might be of most importance to the community nurse; - To provide students with increased awareness of the issues related to health disparities, inequalities and discriminatory practice, while promoting introspective reflection on one’s values and beliefs; - To help students see nursing in relation to the community and society as well as to the individual client; - To addresses medical-social problems, giving students a background for understanding the social and health aspects of nursing care. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate knowledge of the various theories that underlie sociological perspectives of nursing; - Evaluate new trends in community health from a sociological perspective; - Understand various sociological influences; - Identify various possible social causes of ill-health and illness; - Gain insight into issues of stereotyping and racism within the context of community nursing care provision and practice. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish social influences on policy-making; - Identify social issues related to health and health care; - Apply knowledge on socially determined factors in a healthcare setting and how they may influence patient care. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text/s: - Freund, P., McGuire, M. and Podhurst, L.S. (2002) Health, illness and the social body: a critical sociology. 4th edition. - Graham, H. (2009) Understanding health inequalities. 2nd edition. - Weitz R. (2012) The sociology of health, illness, and health care: a critical approach. 6th edition. Supplementary Readings: - The sociology of health, healing and illness. Weiss, G.L. (2003). - A sociology of health. Edited by Wainwright, D. (2008). - Sociology of health and health care. Edited by Taylor, S. and Field, D. (2003). - Understanding the sociology of health: an introduction. Barry, AM and Yuill, C. (2008). - Sociology and health care: an introduction for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. Sheaff, M. (2005). - Health, illness, and the social body: a critical sociology. - 4th ed. Freund, P.E., McGuire, M.B.; Podhurst, L.S. (2003). - Community health nursing: promoting and protecting the public's health. Allender, J., Cherie L.; Warner, K.D. (2010). - Community health nursing: advocacy for population health. Clark, M.J.(2008). - Communicating the economics of social determinants of health and health inequalities. World Health Organization 2013. - Inequalities in health: the Black report. Black, D. edited by; Townsend, P.; Davidson, N (1982). - Reducing inequalities in health: a European perspective. Mackenbach, J., Bakker, M. (2002). - Vulnerable older adults: health care needs and interventions. Burbank, P.M., editor, (2006). - Monitoring health status of vulnerable groups in Europe : past and present. Abreu, L., Sandor, J., Compostela Group of Universities (2006). - Poverty, inequality and health: an international perspective Leon, D.A., Walt, G. (2001). - Nettleton, S. (2006) The Sociology of Health and Illness 6th edition. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Miriam Agius Joseph Antoncich Stephanie Caruana (Co-ord.) Catherine Fleri Soler Christina Galea Curmi Katya Unah |
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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