This is a 10 CAT module which contributes to a Philosophy for Nursing. It complements Conceptual Issues in Nursing.
This module concerns not just ideas and concepts that are central to thinking about illness, recovery and autonomy but more generally a framework of ideas which can be used by students to reflect on their own future nursing practice. It is divided between three elements values, facts or evidence, and individuals. Balancing the competing demands of respect for the roles of values, facts and individuals presents an ongoing challenge for nursing care.
This module aims not simply to provide more content to a body of nursing knowledge but to inform ongoing reflection and professional development. It is thus more open ended than its sibling module.
Thinking about values
1. The limits of ethical principles
2. Values Based Practice: the theory
3. Values Based Practice: in practice
Thinking about facts
4. What's the evidence for the EBM evidence hierarchy?
5. Causal reasoning and contrastive explanations
6. Can we say everything we know? Clinical judgement and tacit knowledge
Thinking about individuals
7. Understanding individuals and idiographic understanding
8. Understanding versus explanation
9. Understanding empathy and narrative
10. Balancing facts, values and meanings: the future of nursing care?
The module is research-based: the topics covered reflect the published research of the course leader.