Module: Chronic & Complex Conditions

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Chronic & Complex Conditions
Module Code	NUR1125 (ITS: NS5068P)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module provides the student with knowledge for the management of chronic and complex health problems across the lifespan. Students will learn to perform and prioritise chronic and complex assessments using clinical decision-making principles; enhance their critical thinking and clinical judgment skills, and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, employ appropriate interventions to optimize individual's state of health within their chronic disease condition. Students will study the complex needs, safety, risk assessment, physical, psychological, spiritual and social well-being of individuals. The concept of ‘patient as partner’ within chronic care management frameworks is emphasised. Leadership, self-direction and sound nursing judgment are employed to maximize patient outcomes based on best available evidence.

Learning Outcomes

1. Formulate a systematic approach (planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating) for individuals with chronic and complex health conditions and comorbidities to optimize health outcomes.
2. Organize complex presentation data to formulate differential diagnoses and prioritize a plan of care.
3. Demonstrate ability to select and interpret findings of appropriate screening and diagnostic tests in specified conditions in diverse populations.
4. Integrate evidence-based science and best practice guidelines to optimise standards of care in individuals requiring an inter- and intra-disciplinary perspective to care using a person-centered nursing framework.
5. Evaluate chronic disease management models of care, in particular the Chronic Care Management Framework.
6. Critically appraise professional, ethical, socioeconomically, cultural and environmental determinants of health.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	38	The module coordinator will facilitate the learning process with face-to-face interaction.
Group work	20	Students will be guided through the Wiki, PBLs and Blog, which they will have an opportunity to work on during tutorials.
Independent Study	192	Students will work to develop a CCM Wiki and complete PBLs. The activities will be facilitated via synchronous and asynchronous methods of delivery (recorded webinars and online resources).
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11301	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Siobhan Rothwell	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	Students will construct a CCM Wiki on a selected case study and identify barriers to implementing the CCM.	20%	n/a
Group assignment	Students will work in teams to construct a full episode of care report for specified chronic / complex conditions.	30%	n/a
Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)	Students will demonstrate their knowledge of diagnoses and treatment in a final OSCE.	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
• Comprehensive approach to care • Prevention, detection and management of chronic disease • Patient as partner • Frameworks for the management of chronic and complex problems • Functional assessment and age-related changes • Therapeutic plan, safety, cost, practice guidelines, evidence-based practice • Health promotion, determinants of health • Multidisciplinary team approach to care and referral • Polypharmacy and complex pharmacological regimes as related to chronic disease • Individual, family and community issues as related to common an complex conditions

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Terry Mahan Buttaro,JoAnn Trybulski,Joanne Sandberg-Cook,Patricia Polgar-Bailey: 2016, Primary Care, 5th, Mosby, 1424, 9780323355018
Bickley L, and Szilagyi, PG: 2020, Bates' Guie to Physicial Examination and History-Taking, 13th, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia, USA, 978146989341
Wallach, J.: 2015, Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests, 9th, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 987-160547667
Frank J. Domino: 2019, The 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2018, 26th, LWW, 1328, 9781496374622
Hamilton, R: 2017, Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2016 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition, 18th, Jones and Bartlett, Massachusetts, 978128411897
Wolff, K., Johnson, R.A., Saavedra, A.P, & Roh, E.K.: 2017, Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Pharmacology, 8th, McGraw-Hill Education, US, 978-125964219
Stephen J. McPhee,Michael W. Rabow,Maxine A. Papadakis: 2016, CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2017, 58th, McGraw-Hill Education / Medical, 1920, 1-259-58511-5

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None