Persistent Illness Theoretical, Research and Practice Implications
Health issues that persist beyond the expected healing time have a major impact on the individual, family, and society and may include acute and/or recurrent episodes as well as life-long implications. Statistics Canada (2003) reports that 58% of Canadians aged 12 years or older have been diagnosed with one long-term condition of at least six months and many of these people are dealing with more than one condition. Their lives involve a series of challenging interconnected and time-dependent processes that have been underestimated in the health care focus on a cureÂ. A variety of conceptual and theoretical models have been developed to facilitate an understanding of the complex experience of persistent illness and give direction for research, clinical practice, and policy approaches. Social, cultural, and institutional contexts in which people and their families receive care must be considered in any examination of clinical, administrative, and economic outcomes. Students in this course will critically examine a variety of theoretical and conceptual models developed to understand persistent illness, analyze the existing research that has utilized these perspectives, and evaluate the impact of these perspectives in relation to clinical practice, research, theory development, education, and social/political/ethical issues. In-class 3 hours/week
Program Requirements Course Type: Core Course Clinical Field