Common Health Challenges
Course Description
This course introduces students to the normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily changes associated with aging. Students will explore common challenges to health and healing in relation to each body system. Students will also be encouraged to explore person-centred practice as it relates to the common challenges to health and, in particular, to end-of-life care.
Minimum course hours: 115
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the structure and function of the human body and normal changes associated with aging:
- 1.1 Describe the organization of the human body, including cells, tissues, and organs.
- 1.2 Describe the structure and functions of the major body systems.
- 1.3 Discuss the natural changes in each system associated with aging.
- Discuss common challenges to health and healing:
- 2.1 Discuss the experience of illness, disability, and common challenges to healing.
- 2.2 Discuss the experience of chronic illness and implications for care.
- 2.3 Describe common health challenges related to each body system.
- 2.4 Describe common neurodevelopmental disorders.
- 2.5 Discuss how to implement a person-centred caring approach for specific health challenges.
- Discuss nutrition as it relates to managing common health challenges:
- 3.1 Identify components of common special diets.
- 3.2 Identify community resources to support clients’ dietary intake.
- Discuss the components of person-centred, end-of-life care for clients and families:
- 4.1 Discuss the philosophy and principles of care used in hospice and palliative care settings.
- 4.2 Describe caring and problem-solving as these relate to end-of-life care in facilities and in community settings.
- 4.3 Discuss elements of legal and ethical practice in end-of-life care.
- 4.4 Describe common reactions and experiences as people approach death.
- 4.5 Discuss physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs of the dying person and appropriate interventions.
- 4.6 Discuss common reactions of family members and ways to support the family.
- 4.7 Describe processes involved in the care of the body after death.
- 4.8 Discuss the effects of a client’s death on the health care workers involved in the dying process.
- 4.9 Explain the importance of and ways to provide self-care following the death of a client.
Course Content
Medical Terminology
- Word elements: prefixes, roots and suffixes, and abbreviations.
Structure and Function of the Human Body
- Organization of the human body: cells, tissues, and organs.
- Major body systems:
- Integumentary
- Musculoskeletal
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Digestive
- Urinary
- Reproductive
- Endocrine
- Nervous
- Immune
- Natural changes associated with aging
Challenges to Health and Healing
- The experience of illness and disability.
- Common challenges to healing:
- Transitions
- Loss
- Pain
- Illness
- Death
- Broad effects of health challenges on the individual and family (e.g., changes in p