Unit rationale, description and aim
Chronic conditions are common to Australians, and in prison populations many conditions are seen at increased rates. Universal humanitarian policies mandate that prisoners are afforded access to healthcare provisions that equal community quality, and that this access occurs in a timely manner. The role of the custodial nurse requires a specialised set of skills that include recognition, assessment, and treatment of chronic conditions within a secure setting. This unit will focus on the recognition, treatment and prevention of chronic conditions that are identified as priority areas of need in Australian prison populations. This includes illness caused through intravenous drug use (such as Hepatitis C) and chronic health conditions (such as arthritis, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes). Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) will also be covered.
Minority prisoner groups have additional needs that warrant specialised education and healthcare. Whilst Indigenous Australians comprise only a fraction of Australia’s population, they are disproportionally overrepresented in incarceration rates, and have additional and oftentimes, complex healthcare needs. Similarly women in custody also pose additional challenges for custodial care nurses, including pregnancy and female sexual health issues. In addition to specific population healthcare needs, all prisoners may also sustain injuries or experience poor dental health whilst in custody that require health care. People who are incarcerated are also more vulnerable to intentional injuries and traumas, such as sexual and physical assault.
The aim of this unit is to prepare students to provide culturally safe, specialised nursing that addresses the specialised needs of prisoners within a secure environment.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Critically analyse the prevalence of chronic condi...
Learning Outcome 01
Analyse the chronic health conditions that are com...
Learning Outcome 02
Ultiising a culturally sensitive approach, evaluat...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically reflect on the logistical and procedura...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
The Physical Health of Australian Prisoners
- Overview of the healthcare needs of Australian prisoners
- Chronic conditions understood to be priority areas for prisoners such as arthritis, disability, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes
- Dental healthcare needs of prisoners
- Consequences of accelerated ageing
Communicable Diseases
- Sexually transmissible infections
- Blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis C, and management and additional measures required to prevent infection
Chronic Conditions and Treatments in Prisoner Populations
- Explore treatment options within the correctional context for chronic illness
- Practicing health promotion and disease prevention education
- Palliation and palliative care pathways
- Pain management and chronic conditions
Minority/Vulnerable Groups in Prisoner Populations
- Overview of vulnerable prisoner groups and their health needs
- Indigenous Australian prisoner health
- Cultural considerations and cultural safely
- The health needs of female prisoners
- Deaths in custody
- Physical and sexual assault in prison and risky sexual behaviours
Healthcare Management in a Correctional Setting
- Function of health care provisions in correctional settings
- Prison health clinics
- Management of chronic conditions
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy used allows for the progressive development of knowledge and skills necessary for the student to be able to demonstrate ethical and effective professional practice in the delivery of healthcare within a correctional setting.
In order to effectively and safely implement nursing care into professional practice, the student must first demonstrate a sound understanding of the evidence underpinning identification, treatment and prevention of chronic health conditions. Students will be further supported to demonstrate their understanding of the additional needs of prisoners from minority populations, whilst adopting culturally safe practices when appropriate through an oral presentation to their peers. Finally, students will critically reflect on the application of a health promotion program providing workplace relevance and significance. To pass NRSG527 Correctional Health; Chronic Illness, students must demonstrate achievement of every learning outcome and obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit.
Overview of assessments
Written Assessment Enables students to demonstr...
Written Assessment
Enables students to demonstrate their understating of a chronic healthcare issue relevant to prison populations, and explore the challenges of responding in the correctional environment.
50%
Critical Reflective Essay Students will critica...
Critical Reflective Essay
Students will critically evaluate an existing (or proposed) health promotion program for a condition studied in this unit, that could be implemented in a correctional health setting.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.
Student will engage in topic modules, supported by guided reading, self-directed learning and participate in webinars with their peers. Students will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the physical healthcare needs of Australian prisoners, whilst considering how they may influence healthcare practices in a correctional health setting. This unit will explore the role of health promotion in disease prevention, and utilise evidence-based practices in the recognition and treatment of chronic illness. Consideration will also be given to minority populations within correctional health, that are understood to have additional healthcare needs. Underpinning these concepts is the provision, feasibility and management of healthcare services within the correctional health setting.