Chronic Health Conditions and Therapeutic Recreation

This course explores chronic health conditions and their impact on individuals and society. Current research and best practices will be examined and used to develop therapeutic recreation interventions that can make a difference and enable one to live well with a chronic health condition. In addition, models for chronic disease prevention and management will be explored with the intent of examining the role and contribution of therapeutic recreation within these.

Course Content

Chronic Health Conditions

• Common chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, sensory impairments
• Chronic health conditions and the International Classification of Functioning (ICF)
• Impact of chronic health conditions on one’s ability to live well

Best Practices and Evidence Based Interventions

• Evidence based interventions for different chronic health conditions
• Link to, and inform TR practice
• Program protocol format to design evidence based TR programs for individuals with chronic health conditions

Leadership

• Individual leadership of evidence based TR programs for groups
• Self management program models and techniques
• Behavior change models

Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

• Current models
• Role of therapeutic recreation within different models
• Role of leisure education – particular application of Serious Leisure

Methods of Instruction

• Lecture/discussion
• Case studies
• Media
• Community service learning
• Technology – digital camera filming 

Means of Assessment

This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:

• Tests
• Written assignments
• Leadership presentation

This is a letter graded course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss chronic health conditions and their impact on quality of life
2. Examine evidence based interventions for chronic health conditions and discuss how these can inform  therapeutic recreation practice
3. Design evidence based therapeutic recreation programs for individuals with chronic health conditions
4. Apply leadership techniques for evidence based TR programs, self management and behavior change
5. Discuss models of chronic disease prevention and management and the role of therapeutic recreation within them.

BIOL 1105 and BIOL 1205

Below shows how this course and its credits transfer within the BC transfer system. 

A course is considered university-transferable (UT) if it transfers to at least one of the five research universities in British Columbia: University of British Columbia; University of British Columbia-Okanagan; Simon Fraser University; University of Victoria; and the University of Northern British Columbia.

For more information on transfer visit the BC Transfer Guide and BCCAT websites.

If your course prerequisites indicate that you need an assessment, please see our Assessment page for more information.