A Project-Based Learning Approach to Communicable Diseases
Communicable disease control involves preventing and containing illnesses that can spread from person to person. Students in the Pre-Nursing program at Area 31 have been delving into the essential question: How can quality healthcare be provided to individuals with communicable diseases?
Each student group was assigned a series of Residential Care Procedures (RCPs) that are typically performed in a long-term care facility. To add an engaging twist, they were tasked with selecting a communicable disease for their hypothetical patient. This led them to assess the appropriate level of personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to carry out their RCPs safely.
In the group pictured, students focused on the RCPs related to safely transferring a patient from their bed to a wheelchair, making the unoccupied bed, and then transferring the patient back to their bed—specifically while working with a patient diagnosed with Tuberculosis.
This hands-on approach enhances their learning experience and also prepares them for real-world scenarios in healthcare settings.