Module Code - Title:
SO4014
-
SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS FOR NURSING AND MIDWIFERY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module introduces students to sociological concepts and models of understanding in relation to health and illness and how these affect nursing and midwifery.
Syllabus:
Sociological models/theories of health and illness; social determinants of health (gender, ethnicity and class); illness-related stigma; the meanings and experience of chronic illness. Social context of healthcare provision; healthcare policy (historical and contemporary context); equity and healthcare structures.
Professionalisation and socialisation of nursing and midwifery; social power of medicine, gender and power relations in health care, discrimination. Relationships between the nurse and midwife and other health care professionals, professional-patient/client relationships. Social context of health care for clients and families, accessing services. Contemporary politics of health care; social implications of healthcare policy, changing context of healthcare provision.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Explain the relevance of sociology as applied health, illness and healthcare.
Describe key aspects of the Irish healthcare system in the context of promoting equity.
Describe how social structures impacts upon health.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Discuss the influence of power or perception of power within healthcare relationships.
Appreciate the importance of placing health and illness within their social, cultural and political contexts.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will participate in the learning environment through engagement in teaching and learning strategies e.g. lectures, discussions, tutorials, group work and presentations, self-directed learning, recommended reading, critical reflection and case scenarios.This module will develop relevant UL students' attributes (to be knowledgeable, collaborative and articulate) by encouraging students to engage and debate relevant research and theories. The module will reflect the most recent research developments and incorporate relevant healthcare policy. Students will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of how research findings impact on the provision of care in nursing and midwifery practice.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Deery, R., Denny, E. and Letherby, G. (2015)
Sociology for midwives
, London, Wiley
Gabe, J. and Monaghan, L.F. (2013)
Key concepts in medical sociology, 2nd ed.
, London: Sage.
Nettleton, S. (2013)
The sociology of health and illness, 3rd ed.
, Cambridge: Polity.
Rogers, A. and Pilgrim, D. (2014)
A sociology Of mental health and illness, 5th ed.
, Berkshire:Open University Press.
Other Relevant Texts:
Clarke, A. (2010)
The sociology of healthcare, 2nd ed.
, Oxon: Routledge.
Hyde, A., Lohan, M. and McDonnell, O. (2004)
Sociology for health professionals in Ireland
, Dublin: Institute of Public Administration.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BSMIDWUFA - MIDWIFERY
BSNUGEUFA - NURSING (GENERAL)
BSNUIDUFA - NURSING (INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY)
BSNUMHUFA - NURSING (MENTAL HEALTH)
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
steven.byrne@ul.ie