Concepts for Practice
Course Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a theoretical framework for practice. Students will be introduced to the philosophical values and theoretical understandings that provide a foundation for competent practice as an HCA. The course focuses on concepts of caring and person-centred care; basic human needs and human development; and family, culture, and diversity as they relate to health and healing. Students will also be introduced to a problem-solving model that will be critical to their practice.
Minimum course hours: 70
Learning Outcomes
- Describe how person-centred care recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual:
- 1.1 Describe the characteristics and qualities of caring interactions in a variety of contexts.
- 1.2 Explain the importance of respecting the individuality, independence, autonomy, diversity, and dignity of clients and families.
- 1.3 Describe clients as individuals possessing a wealth of experience, knowledge, and wisdom.
- 1.4 Discuss the components of social and community models of care as they relate to person-centred care.
- Discuss basic human needs and common characteristics of human development as these concepts relate to person-centred care:
- 2.1 Describe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, explaining the importance of each level and the interrelationship of needs.
- 2.2 Discuss the HCA’s role in observing and reporting unmet needs in clients.
- 2.3 Discuss the principles and stages of human development.
- 2.4 Describe common developmental tasks, characteristics, and needs of various age groups across the lifespan.
- 2.5 Describe the common characteristics and changes in the older adult.
- Discuss the role of family, diversity, and life experience in aging, health, and healing:
- 3.1 Discuss changing family structures and diverse family units.
- 3.2 Describe common socio-cultural, religious, environmental, and economic influences on the family.
- 3.3 Discuss the impact of stress on family care providers.
- 3.4 Identify ways care providers may support the family.
- 3.5 Describe how diversity influences an individual’s experience of aging, health, and healing.
- 3.6 Discuss diverse practices in health and healing, including the role of traditional medicines, healing practices, and alternative forms of healing.
- 3.7 Explain the impact of inequity and discrimination on the quality of care.
- 3.8 Define cultural safety and cultural humility.
- 3.9 Describe how to provide culturally safe and sensitive care, including how to consider Indigenous history, cultural practices, traditional healing practices and medicines, and different community norms and protocols.
- Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and service:
- 4.1 Describe critical thinking as a caring concept.
- 4.2 Discuss the relationship between critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- 4.3 Describe care-planning as a problem-solving process.
- 4.4 Describe th