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Module Title
LM Palliative Care of Cancer Patients
School
School of Medical Sciences
Department
Inst of Cancer / Genomic Sci
Module Code
01 23221
Module Lead
Drs Lu Birch, Jenny Pascoe, Helen Guy and Robin Paijman
Level
Masters Level
Credits
20
Semester
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions
Must meet entrance requirements for programme
Exclusions
Description
The module will look to improve the competence of practitioners delivering high quality palliative care in emotional situations. Students will be assumed to have a basic understanding of palliative care from their previous undergraduate experience (course requirement). This module will look to enhance this understanding and encourage students to analysis the theoretical and practical issues applicable to the palliation of symptoms for patients with advanced cancer. Current controversies and areas of research will be discussed and students expected to evaluate their current practice in the light of the research literature. The module includes lectures teaching the theoretical basis, discussions sessions critically appraising the literature, as well as practical clinical case workshops and communication sessions.
The module is organised into 4 distinct teaching themes, each requiring the students to synthesis information and analyse when and how it should be applied to specific patients: 1) Pain- physiological and emotion experience of pain, current issues regarding the use of opiates and non-opiates, appropriate use of assessment tools
2) Psychology- Recognition of psychological distress in cancer and palliative care, appropriate use of psychological screening tools, psychological care and approaches, communication, appreciation of the use of ritual and liturgy in coming to terms with death, issues in working with family, issues surrounding depression and the pharmacological treatment thereof.
3) Nutrition – appreciate the physiological mechanisms of cachexia, nausea and vomiting and bowel blockage. Evaluate the appropriateness of interventional feeding.
4) Symptom control at the end of life e.g. current understanding of fatigue and breathlessness, Postgraduate level understanding of palliative care emergencies.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Critically evaluate current practice and the implications of recent research on patient symptom control in relation to areas of palliative care such as pain management, nutrition, fatigue, depression, psychological distress, psychological support, communication skills, and recognition of end of life.
Critically discuss the various approaches to the medical, psychological and spiritual challenges in palliative care
Analyse the evidence for the importance of communication skills training
Assessment The assessment will have 2 components: Incourse assessment: Oral presentation- 10 minute oral presentation critically discussing a paper on an element of communication skills (20% of the module mark)
3000 word written assignment: students will be given a case and a series of questions to answer. Students will also need to reflect on their own practice in relation to the teaching during the module (80% of the module mark)
Reassessment If a student fails the module they will be required to rewrite their written assignment, incorporating the feedback given and this will constitute 100% of their module mark
Failure to either submit the written assignment or attend the oral presentation will mean that the student has failed that component and will be required to re-sit it.
