MAABI4100 Being Acute and/or Critically Ill Course description

In this course, the students are expected to acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of the experiences, reactions and coping strategies of patients and next of kin in connection with acute and/or critical illness and examinations, treatment and death. Emphasis is placed on understanding important patient phenomena including pain, anxiety, hope, suffering, quality of life and dignity in an age-related and multicultural perspective. Students are expected to further develop their self-understanding and improve their ability to interact with people who are acutely and/or critically ill. Knowledge gained through this course will form a necessary basis for students being able to provide guidance to patients and caregivers in relation to their experience of and reactions to acute and/or critical illness. This knowledge will also be necessary to enable students to process their own reactions to events and provide guidance to colleagues in relation to their experiences and reactions.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of patients' psychosocial and existential needs in connection with acute and/or critical illness
• has in-depth knowledge of coping strategies in connection with acute and/or critical illness and death
• has in-depth knowledge of the experiences and needs of next of kin
• has in-depth knowledge of family-oriented care
• has in-depth knowledge of multicultural competence in nursing

Skills

The student

• is capable of analysing and taking a critical approach to theories on patients' psychosocial and existential needs in connection with acute and/or critical illness in an age-related and multicultural perspective
• is capable of analysing and taking a critical approach to existing theories on coping and coping strategies in connection with acute and/or critical illness and death
• is capable of analysing and taking a critical approach to existing theories on the experiences and needs of next of kin and the bereaved

Competence

The student

• is capable of analysing relevant ethical issues linked to attending to the psychosocial needs of acutely and/or critically ill or dying patients

Lectures and self-study.

None.

Written home exam in groups of 3-4 students, 3 days. The students are to discuss a method or theory for coping with mental stress and the patient role in connection with acute and/or critical illness. Scope: 3,000 words (+/- 20%). The exam paper must be written in accordance with the section Assessment of written work in the Assessment chapter of the programme description.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

All answer papers are assessed by two examiners, one of whom must be external.

ABIO6100 and MAABI4100 overlap 100%.