Exploring mental health issues through innovative media: Facebook and popular cinema
Edward McCann
Trinity College Dublin
Dr McCann has a PhD that examined sexuality issues and mental health. His Trinity Postdoctoral work explored the healthcare experiences of LGBT people. His research interests encompass sexualities, family interventions, psychosocial interventions and community mental health practice developments. All of his research informs his teaching. He has published over 30 papers in high impact journals and has presented his work internationally. He sits on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.
Sylvia Huntley-Moore
School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
Since 2004 Sylvia has been Director of Staff Education and Development, in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin. From 1995 – 2004 she was the College’s foundation Director of Academic Development. Prior this Sylvia was the Deputy Head of the Centre for Academic Development at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Sylvia is also an executive member of the All Ireland Society for Higher Education and a member of the editorial board of the Society’s professional journal the All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education –AISHE-J.
Abstract
Background/Aim: The research literature on the use of cinema in nurse education is relatively small. This study evaluated student nurses’ learning experiences of a new undergraduate elective module called Madness in the... [ view full abstract ]
Background/Aim:
The research literature on the use of cinema in nurse education is relatively small. This study evaluated student nurses’ learning experiences of a new undergraduate elective module called Madness in the Movies.
Method:
Data were collected through an online survey and a social media discussion forum. A total of twenty-two students enrolled on the module. Fifteen students responded to the online survey and sixteen students agreed to the use of their Facebook discussions in the study. The anonymous online survey responses were collated via Survey Monkey. Content analysis was conducted on the data from the Facebook discussion threads. Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committees of the author’s institution.
Findings:
The study findings confirmed the value of popular cinema as a medium to explore the types of issues that may arise for student nurses in their practice. All students in this study found it beneficial to have the opportunity to reflect upon and articulate their opinions, attitudes and beliefs about mental health issues. The core teaching and learning strategies (in class and online discussion) allowed students to respond to ‘real life’ situations (well beyond their scope of practice and experience) in the safety of the classroom without the professional responsibilities of the clinical environment. Reflection was a key component of the learning activities both in the classroom and online. This correlates with current thinking about the value of reflective practices which identifies the ability to reflect as a key skill for healthcare professionals.
Conclusions and Implications
This module provided a fruitful approach to encourage critical reflection on mental health issues in a safe environment that closely mirrors authentic practice experiences. The module facilitated the development of students’ knowledge, values and attitudes in relation to person-centred mental healthcare.
Authors
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Edward McCann
(Trinity College Dublin)
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Sylvia Huntley-Moore
(School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.)
Topic Area
Topics: Mental Health
Session
MH2 » Mental Health 2 (10:30 - Thursday, 10th November, Seminar Room 0.54)
Presentation Files
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