Enhancing Mental Wellbeing in Practice

Further information

For further details about this module, please contact the Module Leader:

Gail Bennett

g.bennettucs.ac.uk|

 

 

Dates

6 study days, starting in January 2011:

Dates to be confirmed

Student Hours

150 student hours:

  • 36 Taught hours 
  • 12 Tutorial hours 
  • 102 hours self directed study

Rationale

There is a growing recognition amongst health care professionals that there are profound links between physical and mental health. A recent study conducted by Ann Farmer (2008) found that 15 physical disorders were significantly more frequent in individuals with recurrent depressive disorder in comparison to psychiatrically healthy controls. The government have themselves responded to this growing body of evidence with guidance on the management of long term conditions, calling for specific models of high quality holistic care. Serious mental health problems and depressive and anxiety disorders are long term conditions in themselves but as research demonstrates also permeate other physical conditions. This is often due to factors of loss and adjustment occurring on many levels, be it our sense of self, our body image, independence or the challenge in the belief of ability to cope. 

Despite this there remains a sense that practitioners working in physical healthcare settings lack confidence in the ability to respond to the distress and adjustment associated with physical health challenges. There is a clear need to develop specialised knowledge, attitudes, values and skills of communication and empowerment that will transform service user journeys and experiences. 

The content of this module will be flexible according to the practitioner's area of practice and recognises that there will be a range of disciplines and professional backgrounds. Whilst there will be the greatest emphasis on exploring the mental health and wellbeing needs of individuals experiencing physical health conditions, the mind and body are seen as inextricably linked. As such the exploration of the psychological is always analysed in the context of physical and other relevant social and spiritual aspects of the person.

Aims of the Module

  • Develop specialised knowledge and skills that respond to the complex co existence of mental and physical health needs within the individual
  • Enable practitioners to deliver high quality care that is grounded in compassion, holistic practice, multi disciplinary sharing and evidenced-based interventions

     

    Learning Outcomes

     

    By the end of this module the student will:

    • Critically assess policy guidance and legal frameworks to inform best practice and needs as a developing practitioner
    • Critically explore the mind/body connection through theoretical discourse and practice focused application
    • Cultivate enhanced skills in holistic assessment and compassionate, empowering high quality care of the whole person
    • Critically appraise the evidence base for key traditional, complementary and alternative approaches, a range of therapeutic interventions and their value in supporting the needs of the whole person
    • Translate key concepts of health psychology to the experience and impact of long term health conditions
    • Reflect deeply on practice and the learning experience to enhance self awareness and inform the change process.

    Assessment

    A 4000 word case study critically exploring the mental health/ bio psychosocial needs of an individual experiencing a physical illness or condition. The case study should propose appropriate interventions even though these might not necessarily have been implemented in the practice setting. There should be a clear emphasis on holistic care delivery with exploration and analysis of the rationale.

     

    Weighting 100%

 

 

Key Facts

Module code:
HPGCPRM20

Level of study: 7

Year: First year and Second year

Mandatory or optional module: Optional

Credits: 20 credits

Location: Ipswich  

Prerequisites for this module: None

Professional applicability: A, B, C, D, E, G 

DARZI category: 9

Darzi Category and Professional Applicability Coding||

Students already registered on a diploma or degree course are advised to make their course leader aware that they plan to undertake this module.