Certificate in Online Instruction

I am now resuming the development of this course since enrolling in the Certificate in Online Instruction through the School of Instructor Education at Vancouver Community College.  Stay tuned for more updates!
Suzanne

Thinking About Taking This Course?

Basic Care for People with Spinal Cord Injury is offered through XYZ Community College on a biannual basis.  It is comprised of a 5 week online component with a weekend of classroom/lab instruction on campus.  If you're interested, please contact course designer and instructor Suzanne Touahria.  As well, please copy and paste the Student Questionnaire into a word or text edit document, fill it out and submit it by e-mail.

A Final Note

Due to time constraints, the scope of this course was limited to the basics you would need to know in order to provide care to a person with SCI.  One important topic that I know is relevant to a great deal of you is "caring for the caregiver".  Family members especially, can find themselves overwhelmed with the adjustments and new learning required when a loved one suffers a SCI.  It's easy to become burned out or depressed.  In fact, studies have shown a very high level of depression among primary caregivers in the home.  A terrific resource is the chapter on Caregivers in the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Resource Guide (pgs 286-297).  They give lots of advice on how to do the job to the best of your abilities and still take care of yourself in the process.  Definitely worth a read!
Good luck to all of you and feel free to reconnect here on the blog anytime!  I'd love to hear your comments about the course so far and any suggestions you might have to help me make it even better!
 

Week 5

Congratulations!  In our last week together online we will be discussing respiratory complications and a dangerous complication of SCI known as autonomic dysreflexia. In preparation for this class, please read the accompanying blog pages.
 

Week 4

Hi all!  Next week we'll be learning about medications - over the counter, prescriptions and alternatives.  Please Google search the following drugs and alternative treatments:
-baclofen
-gabapentin
-ativan
-tylenol
-ibuprofen
-gravol
-marijuana
-viagra
-cranberry juice
 

Week 3

Well done so far!  Next week we'll be addressing activities of daily living (ADLs).  This includes clothing alterations and skin integrity - please see the linked page and do the suggested readings.  Please post any comments of questions you might have here or bring them to class.  See you next week!
 

Week 2

Congratulations on completing week one!  If you didn't get a chance to preview the blog pages Defining and Differentiating Spinal Cord Injury and Psychological Concerns, you can use them for review now.  This week, please preview the page Bladder and Bowel Care. 

In preparation for week 3, you can visit the Nutritional Support blog page and prepare to discuss the special dietary and fluid requirements of a person with SCI.
 

See you next week!