Long Term Conditions - Professional/Short course

Program Overview

This online Professional/Short Course in Long Term Conditions explores the challenges and management of chronic health conditions. It examines policies, disability models, and evidence-based practices, empowering healthcare professionals to critically evaluate their practice and contribute to service improvement. The program is delivered through distance learning, with a focus on self-directed learning and online engagement.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Long Term Conditions - Professional/Short course

• Level: Professional/Short Course
• School: School of Health and Social Wellbeing
• Duration: Two semesters
• Delivery: Online (distance learning)
• Course Director: Lynda Hughes
It examines diverse stakeholder perspectives, explores UK and international policies, and considers different models of disability and healthcare.

Objectives:

• Critically analyze the complexities of living with and managing long-term conditions.
• Understand key components of disability, healthcare, and health behavior change models.
• Critically evaluate personal practice in relation to long-term condition management.
• Discuss the role of patients and service users in co-designing individual management plans and wider services.
• Appraise different sources of evidence for service redesign, evaluation, and improvement.

Program Description:

This program explores the multifaceted impact of long-term conditions through various lenses. It covers national and international policies, various disability and healthcare models, shared decision-making, patient empowerment, health behavior change models, and evidence-based practices for improving and evaluating long-term condition services.

Outline:

Content:

• The complexities of long-term conditions from various stakeholder perspectives
• Models of disability and healthcare
• Shared decision-making and patient empowerment
• Health behavior change models relevant to long-term conditions
• Sources of evidence and guidance: research, audit, service evaluation, guidelines, and National Service Frameworks
• Design, improvement, and evaluation of long-term condition services
• Examples from a wide range of different long-term conditions (tailored to individual practice areas)

Structure:

• Distance learning approach with online interactive materials, lectures, videos, online seminars, discussions, and external content links.
• Guided reading directing students to relevant texts, journal articles, and other materials available electronically.
• Timed release of materials for a structured learning experience.
• Approximately 60 hours of directed study via the Blackboard online learning platform.
• Synchronous online seminars and asynchronous discussion forums for cohort development.

Modules:

Assessment:

• Assessment Type: Critical appraisal of practice in relation to the management of long-term conditions
• Assessment Description: 5,000-word written assignment to critically appraise practice in relation to a specified long-term condition chosen by the student.
• Assessment Content: Overview of the condition and its challenges, evaluation of relevant policies, theories and evidence related to different management approaches, critical reflection on practice, and reasoned justification for a practice or service change.
• Formative Assessment: Opportunities for formative assessment and discussion through online seminars, discussion, and individual feedback.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: Lectures, online seminars, discussions, assignments, directed reading, and engagement with online materials and activities.
• Teaching Format: Up to 10 keynote lectures (video-captured), online seminars (Blackboard Collaborate), web-based materials, and activities.
• Online Discussion Forum: Blackboard discussion forum for sharing learning experiences on set topics.
• Faculty: Experienced professionals in the field of long-term conditions.

Careers:

• This program can contribute to further studies:
• MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• MSc Advanced Practice
• MSc Rehabilitation
• Professional Development Awards
• Graduates can pursue careers in various healthcare professions.

Other:

• Students are encouraged to use their practice context for assessment tailoring.
• The program emphasizes self-directed learning with approximately 240 hours of independent study.
• The Study facilities section describes the excellent facilities available at the College of Health, Science and Society.