Learning Activities

Word document

There are two suggested learning activities that might be used in-class or outside of class setting with students.

Activity 1: Using case study to help students explore the various options for care of very ill children.

Activity 2: Using the Internet to give students first-hand knowledge of available information.

1. In small groups, ask students discuss one of the cases presented in this module.
   
   
2. Ask them to identify three possible treatment options:
   1. an aggressive option (where everything possible would be done);
   2. a palliative option (where curative treatment would be withdrawn but therapy that provided comfort would be continued � encourage them to think through what therapies that would include); and
   3. a "moderate" option (an option that does not stop all therapy at the same time that it does not escalate therapy � there may be more than one "moderate" option). Emphasize that pain management should be included in all three options.
3. Ask students discuss how these three options might be presented to the parents. What setting? By whom? What support would they want to have available?
4. Ask students to consider which option they believe the parents in the case would choose and which option each of them would choose. Ask if they believe any of the options are illegal or unethical.
5. Ask each group present their analysis to the rest of the class.

The purpose of this activity is to help the students explore the various options for care of the very ill children presented in the cases. An objective is to have them see that all three options are legal. They may also have the opportunity to see that their classmates hold different opinions about what they would do if the situation affected their child. The goal is to help students develop sensitivity to parental preferences and to explore ways to support parents of ill children.

Activity 2: Using the Internet to give students first-hand knowledge of available information

1. Ask students identify a childhood disease such as cystic fibrosis or cancer, or a condition such as extreme prematurity that has a significant mortality rate.
2. Ask students to search the web for resources for parents of children affected by these diseases or conditions. In particular, have them locate information from other parents or find a chat room where parents can communicate with each other.
3. Ask the students evaluate the information they learned from these resources.

• Was it accurate?
• Was it helpful?
• Was it more positive or more negative regarding prognosis and survival than statistical sources?
• What most surprised them about their learning from this resource?

The purpose of this activity is to give students first-hand knowledge of the myriad of resources available on the web for parents. Students gain an appreciation for the hope parents must maintain to cope with a serious illness in a child. They also generally gain an appreciation for the quality of information available, and the challenge of finding good sites! Students also seem to gain empathy for parents� experiences by listening to the voices of real parents counseling and encouraging each other.