Module Descriptors

This module will equip students with an in-depth understanding of capacity in health care, that is, a person's ability to understand and process information that has been given in order to make decisions about accepting or rejecting any offered treatment or intervention.

When providing treatment or intervention for anyone who may lack capacity, it is essential to have the knowledge and skills to assess capacity and to know the appropriate steps to take when an individual's decision making is in doubt.  This module takes a human rights-based approach to capacity and its assessment.  It will provide students with the knowledge required to understand capacity issues, assess capacity and do so in a way that preserves dignity and recognises the needs of the individual and their significant others.

This module will contribute to the development of UWS graduate attributes including critical thinking, analytical, enquiring and culturally aware collaborative research-minded graduate. One that is digitally literate and motivated; creative and resilient. Leading to success and enhanced work-related opportunities.

(The module will provide the understanding and knowledge of capacity issues required by a variety of health and social care practitioners to meet the requirements of the Scottish Legislative Framework, where such professionals who have relevant qualifications and who have adequate training, can assess capacity with a view to enabling the treatment of people who may have capacity issues.  Successful completion of this module provides academic preparation only for this role.)

• To provide the understanding and knowledge of capacity issues required to make capacity decisions, based on the requirements set within the Scottish Legislative Framework. While this module provides academic preparation for this role there are other professional and local criteria that will be required to become a capacity certificate signatory.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Critically assess the impact of capacity assessment on processes and outcomes for an individual and significant others whose capacity is questioned.

L2. Provide a sound rationale of the principles guiding the legislation, including an understanding of ethical decision making and human rights.

L3. Critically appraise a range of factors which may influence capacity and recognise the importance of interpersonal and interprofessional communication in capacity decision making.

L4. Critically reflect on the impact of their own and others beliefs, values and professional backgrounds and how these may affect capacity decisions.

L5. Analyse the suitability of a range of validated tools used to assist capacity judgements, and give clear rationales for their use.

Demonstrate extensive knowledge and critical understanding of contemporary theory, principles and concepts in relation to the assessment of capacity.

Critical appraisal of current systems of decision making and appropriate legislation

Recognise the need for capacity assessment and associated application of legislation in the context of treatments which lie within their professional remit.

Source, apply and demonstrate the use of a range of standard and specialised research literature and materials associated with their subject discipline or sector and in this topic area.

Further enhance professional development by making use of a variety of evidence-based resources that may assist in decision making in the workplace.

Apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis skills to contemporary issues which may impact on those people who lack capacity.

Develop creative and original responses when analysing capacity issues in theory and practice.

Identify, conceptualise and define new and abstract problems and issues

Use a range of ICT applications to support and enhance work at this level and apply adjustments to features to suit their purpose.

Undertake critical evaluations of a wide range of statistical and graphical data.

Communicate using an appropriate method for a range of audiences with different levels of expertise.

Demonstrate autonomy and/or initiative and make an identifiable contribution to change and development and/or new thinking.

Utilise a critical understanding of complex ethical issues in relation to promoting the autonomy of individuals who lack capacity with people requiring health and/or social care, the wider public and their peers.

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
Regular interaction with the University VLE to access learning resources, and completion and submission of the module assessments on time (or at an agreed extension with Module Co-ordinator). If submission is not feasible then the use of the extenuating circumstances procedure would be expected (See: https://www.uws.ac.uk/current-students/supporting-your-studies/exams-assessment-appeals/academic-appeals-extenuating-circumstances/)

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1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
   This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.