Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE OCT2023

 
TITLE Introduction to Psychosocial Dysfunction

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Occupational Therapy

 
DESCRIPTION The first part of this study-unit seeks to describe the mental health disease process and its effects on the patient, his/her family/carers and the paramedical team. it reviews what is considered as health, mental health and also mental illness, defining all It delves into the clients' and family's experience of mental illness and how the family can ultimately be involved in the treatment regime. The 3 key elements that make up the therapeutic process i.e. the patient, the therapist and the environment as indispensable elements in any occupational therapy intervention are discussed within the OTPF - Domain and Process (AOTA, 2020).



Part 1
- What is health, mental health and what is mental illness;
- WHO definitions - Mental Health;
- Mental Health Statistics;
- The mental health continuum;
- DSM 4th Edn - Review of major conditions;
- The role of evaluating function as part of a diagnosis for mental illness;
- The client and Family experience of mental illness;
- Family roles in supporting mental health;
- Recognising signs of decompensation;
- Responses to mental illness;
- Involvement of the family in the treatment regime;
- Effective Communication with the mentally ill person;
- Crisis and Stress Management Guidelines for family;
- Home Study;
- The therapist, the patient and the environment;
- The therapeutic use of self - relating effectively to patients and empathy;
- Motivating patients
- the concept of Pawns and Origins with respect to benign and viscious spirals of reduced motivation; Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs;
- The therapeutic environment.

Part 2
- The students in this study-unit will be introduced to a variety of mental health and ill mental health issues and how these effect the performance of these clients. They will be able to gain a better understanding of people with mental health issues and to show empathy;
- Theoretical approaches to Psychosocial Occupational Therapy will be taught;
- Students will be able to learn how to assess the performance skills of different client groups and identify positive health promoting occupations, in which the clients can be involved( occupations that help the clients achieve mastery over their particular challenges);
- The students will also be given the opportunity to establish care plans and learn how to implement and evaluate them. They will also be introduced to different approaches to treatment scenarios. Documentation of treatment, report writing and other professional correspondence will be discussed.

Study-Unit Aims:

Part 1
1. To explore the concepts of Health, Mental Health and Mental Illness and their definitions;
2. To introduce students to the variety of classifiable mental health disorders;
3. To explore how mental illness is perceived by the treatment team members, the patient him/herself and his/her family/caregivers;
4. To familiarise the student on how to deal with a patient and his/her family on a basic level and involve them in the treatment regime;
5. To understand how the 3 key elements (the occupational therapist, the patient and the therapeutic environment) interact in the therapeutic process.

Part 2
1. To guide students to gain a better understanding of those with mental health issues;
2. To gain knowledge of local statutory facilities and NGO's in this field of OT practice;
3. To gain awareness of the rights of service users and be in a position to empower and advocate for them;
4. To familiarize themselves with different approaches to psychosocial Occupational Therapy.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. Articulate and implement the occupational treatment and evaluation process;
2. Identify specific approaches to different occupations;
3. Identify the importance of activity and occupation in mental health.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. Devise care plans for clients with mental health issues;
2. Implement these care plans with the use of case scenarios;
3. Evaluate treatment programmes;
4. Document treatment sessions and report writing effectively(by being clear and concise).

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Activity Analysis
Applications to Occupation, G.I. Hersch et al 2005

- Tools for Practice in Occupational Therapy
A Structured Approach to Core Skills and Processes, R. Hagedorn 2000

Various Handouts provided by tutors.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 50%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Maria Daniela Farrugia
Joanne Bellia (Co-ord.)

 

 
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It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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