Introduction
This lesson was developed by Mary Knutson, and funded through Health Vista, Inc. as an assignment for “Teaching Methods”, an online course. This Webquest was created after reading the following article:
Lahaie, U. (2007) A new instructional strategy for nursing education, Computer Informatics Nursing, (25)3, p. 148-156.
This Webquest is meant to promote critical thinking for health care providers as they work with populations who are mentally ill in any setting. The overall goal is to help health care providers to recognize mentally ill individuals who are undiagnosed, or individuals who have characteristics of mental illness due to temporary inability to cope. Using this knowledge, more effective care planning and discharge planning can be developed.
Learners
This Webquest is designed to be for nursing students or other post-secondary students in programs for health professions. Portions of the lesson can be omitted if not applicable to that program (i.e. nursing care planning assignment).
Learners need to know how to navigate the Web, to readily use online communication like e-mail for group work if unable to meet face-to-face.
Background experience in a medical-surgical setting and patient teaching is important for developing practical solutions to the case scenario problems. Students can learn from the experience of other students.
Curriculum Standards
What will students learn as a result of this lesson?
Program Outcome Standards Addressed:
- Students will use effective written and verbal communication during all course work
- Students will apply knowledge, critical and creative thinking and ethical principles in problem solving throughout the program
- Students will demonstrate effective use of information technology
- Students will demonstrate application of principles of teaching and learning
- Students will assess patient and family needs across health care continuum, and utilize resources to promote continuity of care
This lesson applies to many health care disciplines and supports interdisciplinary teamwork.
Resources Needed
Describe what’s needed to implement this lesson. Some of the possibilities:
- A textbook that includes care of mentally ill people
- E-mail accounts for all students
- Access to internet publication databases preferred
- Microsoft Office 2010 or higher preferred
- Computer with audio capability preferred
The Health Vista, Inc. website developed by Mary Knutson is the host site for this Webquest. Link to www.healthvista.net for home page. There you can access health education resources to use. It is not recommended to give the home page link to students, due to the possibility of plagiarism of some of the other materials on that site.
Expectation is that one teacher can utilize this website and allow students to grade their own worksheets. There are answer sheets that can be provided by the links below.
Mental Illness Checklist Answers [.docx] [.pdf]
Mental Illness Checklist Definitions [.docx] [.pdf]
Students can learn by the rich discussion and summarizing of group work, as well as by their individual work to recognize mental illnesses in the case scenarios.
Evaluation
The students performance may be evaluated by using the rubric below. Grades for group work may be pass/no pass. A score of 8 or less would not be passing. All members of the group should fill out the checklists of behaviors/signs/symptoms related to various mental illnesses, including definitions of new terms. Each group member should have individual remarks attributed to him on the Discussion Worksheet and to participate in all aspects of the project. If it is determined that an individual did not participate with the group, that learner may receive an individual grade.
Evaluation Form [.pdf]
Conclusion
It is my hope that students will recognize the importance of learning about psychiatric nursing, even if they do not plan to work in a psychiatric unit or mental health facility. I believe recognized and unrecognized mental illness is a huge reason for noncompliance in all health care settings.
Effective patient teaching ans interdisciplinary discharge planning can be vital to help prevent relapse and frequent hospitalizations, for many patients – especially those who are chronically mentally ill.
Credits:
Webquest Developed and Published by:
Mary Knutson, RN, PHN, MSN
President of Health Vista, Inc.
305 N 2nd Steet
La Crescent, MN 55947
Phone: (507) 895-2802
E-mail: mbknutson@acegroup.cc
Credits & References
Allison Wagner contributed her talented voice for the scenarios.
Textbook used for reference:
Stuart, G. & Sundeen, S. (1995). Principles & practice of psychiatric nursing (5th Ed.). St. Louis: Mosby