Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Health, Illness, Addiction and Homelessness
Module Code NS461
School School of Nursing and Human Sciences
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Mary Farrelly
Semester 2: Mary Farrelly
Autumn: Mary Farrelly
Module TeacherMary Farrelly
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This module enables students to develop knowledge and skills necessary to undertake assessment and support planning with service users who have health related physical, mental or addiction issues in the context of homelessness. The module is comprised of lectures and seminars and is assessed through a continuous assessment process. The module is informed by and informs student practice context. This module is part of the Certificate in homeless Prevention and Intervention and is suitable for workers in homeless sector services.

Learning Outcomes
1. Analyse the relationships between homelessness, health, mental/physical ill health and addictions
2. Employ strategies that enhance the health and wellbeing of people at risk of/experiencing homelessness and enhance the capacity for people to safely manage their own health.
3. Recognise the signs, symptoms and exacerbating factors associated with common health problems, addiction, mental distress and disorders and respond appropriately within boundaries of professional practice.
4. Identify health related emergencies and risk to self and others and respond appropriately within boundaries of personal professional practice.
5. Display ability to establish positive and productive relationships with service users who may exhibit difficulties with communication associated with mental ill health, addiction or distress
6. Demonstrate working knowledge of the roles of mainstream and specialist health services and display an ability to assist service users to access appropriate health service provision



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture21No Description
Seminars21No Description
Independent learning time208Includes learning in practice, online learning and assignment work
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Health, illness and addiction - contexts and theories.
The prevalence and incidence of morbidity within homeless populations• Theories relating to the construction, aetiology and appropriate response to addiction, mental health and illness• Impact of trauma on individuals.

Recognising and responding to health and addiction needs.
Recognising and responding to psychiatric emergencies:o Psychosiso Suicidalityo Deleriumo Drug overdose / toxic effects of drugs• Common health problems within homeless populations:o Skin problemso Communicable diseaseso Chronic health problemso Drug / alcohol related problems.

Interventions in health promotion and health support.
The roles of health professionals and teams in responding to health related problems with homeless populations• Negotiating access to health care and managing challenges/inadequate responses• Overview of successful programmes addressing health needs in the homeless sector• Health promotion and harm minimisation within the homeless sector• Promotion of rights and self-responsibility within the homeless sector.

Working with challenges to health.
• Understanding, assessing and intervening appropriately in recovery and relapse• Understanding and responding to problematic behaviours such as criminal offending, and addiction• Understanding and responding to aggression/ violence in care provision context• Principles of risk assessment and response• Maintaining physical and psychological safety.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentReport detailing a health promotion initiative undertaken by the student with service users in their practice context60%n/a
AssignmentPoster development addressing the health knowledge needs of a particular service user population. In class presentation of poster40%n/a
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • 0: Freimuth, M. (2005) Hidden addictions. Lanham: Jason Aronson, 32250
  • 0: Hall, A., Wren, M., and Kirby, S., (eds) (2008) Care planning in mental health: promoting recovery. Oxford; Malden, MA: Blackwell., 32251
  • 0: Helman, C. (2001) Culture, health and illness. London: Arnold., 32252
  • 0: Lennon, L. (2003) Mapping Key Working in the Homeless Sector. Dublin: The Homeless Agency., 32253
  • 0: Miller, W., & Rollnick, S., (2002). Motivational interviewing: preparing people for change. 2nd ed. New York: Guilford Press., 32254
  • 0: Rapp, C. (1998) The strengths model: case management with people suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. Oxford: Oxford University Press., 32255
  • 0: Robinson, J., & Elkan, R., (2002) Health needs assessment: theory and practice. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone., 32256
  • 0: Spencer-Oatey, H. (2000) Culturally speaking: managing rapport through talk across cultures. Open linguistics series London ; New York : Continuum., 32257
  • 0: Thorogood, M., & Coombes, Y., (2004) Evaluating health promotion: practice and methods. 2nd ed.Oxford: Oxford University Press.,
Other Resources
4951, Website, 0, All Dublin Region homeless Executive (DRHE) publications can be found on the following website: http://www.homelessagency.ie/Research-and-Policy/Publications.aspx., 3580, Website, 0, http://www.casemanagementguidebook.ie/Home/Welcome.aspx, 3581, Website, 0, http://www.homelessagency.ie/research-and-policy/library.aspx, 4952, Website, 0, Levinson, D. (ed) (2004).Encyclopedia of homelessness. [electronic resource] Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications, https://remote.library.dcu.ie/login?url=http://www.sage-ereference.com/homelessness/,
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
CHPICert in Homeless Prevention/Intervention
Timetable this semester: Timetable for NS461
Date of Last Revision04-JAN-12
Archives:
DCU
Address
The Helix
3U
NDP
Government
EU
Disclaimer | Privacy