Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) is an extremely debilitating disease. For the sufferer, everyday activities become impossible - from walking to the shops, to cleaning their teeth - because they can't get enough oxygen into their lungs. The 4 video tracks on this album look at the possible causes of COPD, how it is diagnosed, and the inspirational stories of people dealing with the disease. This material forms part of The Open University course SDK125, Introducing health sciences: a case study approach

These six managers, from frontline roles across health and social care in the UK, are real people in real roles. By sharing their experiences through short videos, they help to bring alive the ideas studied in the course and help you to explore how they might play out in real-life situations.
This material forms part of The Open University course K313 Leadership and management in health and social care.

In the arenas of health and social work, management is a crucial part of ensuring quality of service and care for users and staff, and the development of services and standards into the future. The discussions and interviews in this album focus on the importance of management strategies and techniques and garner the opinions and insights of staff at all levels, as well as those in care. These in-depth and frank audio tracks give a real-life sense of the managerial experience, including starting the job, day-to-day planning and the implementation of policy and good practice. This material forms part of The Open University course K303 Managing care.

What causes mental distress and what can be done about it? What factors in the external environment affect mental health? This album examines the ways in which social, environmental, economic and political factors shape and constrain our understandings and experiences of mental health and distress. It explores the wide range of diverse and frequently competing perspectives that characterise the world of mental health and looks at the impact of these perspectives on mental health practice and service provision. In a set of academic perspectives, Jonathan Leach of The Open University's School of Health and Social Welfare explains why the case studies were selected, and how they fit in with the aims of the course. He also describes how he became involved in the field of mental health education.

This material forms part of The Open University course K225 Diverse perspectives on mental health.

Health, and the health of others, are concerns that impact us all. This album explores notions of health and happiness in relation to the lifestyles people lead and the services and support available to them. The range of information is eclectic and illuminating, offering a rare insight into societal niches from the participants themselves. From health workers to the homeless, this series of interviews and discussions emphasises the relationship between how people live their lives and the decisions they make to stay healthy. This material forms part of The Open University course KYN275 Reflecting on whole lives - diverse perspectives on health and illness.

What does the world look like to a person with a visual impairment? How does restricted vision impact on everyday life? How can you offer assistance without taking control? The video tracks on this album simulate what the world looks like to people with a range of visual impairments, and show good practice when acting as a sighted guide. The audio tracks offer personal perspectives from two people living with severe visual impairment. This material forms part of The Open University's Pre-registration nursing programme.

Making the move to residential care is one of the biggest decisions most people have to make in their lives. Focusing on staff and residents at Drummond Grange, the five video tracks in this album explore the organisational and personal aspects of the transition from independent living to residential care. It addresses the importance of selecting the right place for your needs and interests, finding ways to maintain contact with your family and adjusting to life in a new community. The material forms part of the course K216 Applied Social Work Practice.

People throughout the community are affected by social issues, and it is the job of social workers to ensure that they are getting the best care, help and support that they need. The 16 tracks on this album look at numerous circumstances within the community - from the different ways of schooling young people with visual impairment, to fuel poverty, homelessness and the charity Mencap. The material forms part of The Open University course K202 Care, welfare and community.

How does living with disability and chronic illness impact on a person's quality of life? What are the consequences of physical limitations and treatment regimes? The tracks on his album explore real-life case studies in a variety of care environments. From domestic homes to residential and hospital settings, we explore physical, social and psychological impacts and investigate the extent to which care environments are enabling or disabling. The album also contains a fictional case study which explores some of the issues facing people who are carers in their own homes. To complete the album, Joanna Bornat and Jan Walmsley of The Open University's Faculty of Health and Social Care explain why some of the case studies were selected for study and unpick some of the issues that emerge.

This material forms part of The Open University course K101 An introduction to health and social care.