Unit Outline

In this unit students will examine the experience of illness from the patient/client perspective. The physical and psycho-social response of patients and their families to a sudden episode of illness is considered using a variety of approaches including theoretical perspectives and patient narratives. Areas to be specifically covered include: hospitalisation and sense of self; rethinking the life biography; exploring nurse-patient behaviours; patient explanations and understandings of illness.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain the importance of the illness experience within the life journey.
2.	Explore the social and cultural theories in relation to the effects of illness on the personhood and family.
3.	Critically reflect on the provision of person-centred care to optimise the healthcare experience.
4.	Evaluate the impact of the healthcare environment (physical, social, political) on the patients’ and their families’ experiences of illness.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online Discussion and Reflection	Week 6	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Essay	Week 13	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Discussion and Reflection

Task Description:

PART A: Online Discussion
This activity requires you to choose and view one movie.
Following the viewing you are asked to engage with your colleagues in an online discussion related to key themes of the illness experience.
Due Date: Week 6
Weight: 30%

PART B: Reflection
Following the online discussion, you are asked to reflect the on your own experiences and clinical practice.
Drawing from the themes presented within the unit to explore and expand upon the insights you have gained through the discussion activity.
Due Date: Week 9
Weight: 20%

Task Length:

PART A -1200 words PART B – 800 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Engages frequently with online colleagues to make meaningful contributions to the discussions.	LO1, LO2
2	Use literature to analyse and critically reflect on the illness experience and related concepts from the perspective of the patient and carer.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Identify and translate how key themes presented in the unit relate to the topic, showing shifts in knowledge and development of new understandings.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style where appropriate.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Essay

Task Description:

This activity requires you to discuss the insights you have gained over the semester about your role as a nurse and the effect you have on the illness experience of those in your care.
Drawing from scholarly literature and other resources, include in your discussion strategies you will employ to improve the experience of patients & families/carers in your care.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provides a scholarly discussion from your professional perspective that describes, analyses, and evaluates experiences and concepts relevant to the topic.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Justifies how key themes presented in the unit relate to the topic and the application to practice.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Evaluates the impact of the healthcare environment (physical, social, political) on the patients’ and their families’ experiences of illness.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Presents justified strategies and resources to improve the patient experience.	LO3, LO4
5	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style where appropriate.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.