Eleventh International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

A unique interdisciplinary course has been developed and delivered at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. Death and Dying is a third-year elective offered to students across numerous disciplines including nursing, respiratory therapy, pre-medicine, journalism, law, animal health technology, and arts. Additionally, members of the community have also partaken in the class such as paramedics, coroners, and counsellors. As an interdisciplinary course, students in the class can truly engage and understand the perspectives of various disciplines and backgrounds of fellow students. Some of the topics offered in the curriculum comprise funeral planning, pet loss, global grief and disasters, grief, culture, the dying process, and examples from the instructor who has worked in end-of-life settings across the globe. Assignments include quizzes and a reflective photo essay. The reflection allows students to consider their personal journeys with their experiences regarding loss, grief, death, or a topic of their choice. Over the past five years, students in Death and Dying have provided extremely positive feedback on the course content and assignments. Additionally, former students, including those in the health care industry, report that their awareness and their understanding about death, dying, and loss has personally and professionally had a major impact on their lives. Additionally, students state their critical thinking and relational skills are vastly improved with exposure to the taboo subject.