Course Description
Palliative Care provides integrated, multi-dimensional care of the terminally ill person and their family. This programme aims to provide a solid foundation in the philosophy and principles of palliative care and understanding of how these are applied in clinical practice across a range of life-limiting illnesses and in a variety of settings.
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
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Demonstrate a critical understanding of the philosophy, principles and social context of palliative care practice.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concept of need and critique current approaches to palliative care service delivery across the lifespan.
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Critically analyse the roles and function of the multidisciplinary team in palliative care practice.
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Critically appraise the principles of effective communication and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of interpersonal skills in empathic communication.
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Review and critically appraise strategies for the management of the physical symptoms associated with life-limiting illness and reflect on own practice in this area.
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Review and critically appraise strategies for the management of the psychosocial and emotional issues associated with life-limiting illness and reflect on own practice in this area.
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Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature of personhood in the context of life-limiting illness and critically analyse and reflect on their own clinical practice in the management of grief, loss and bereavement.
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Critique frameworks for ethical decision-making and demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge in specific patient and family care situations.
Modules
The Philosophy, Principles And Social Context Of Palliative Care
The emergence of Palliative Care as a philosophy and a mode of practice in the mid 20th century led to fundamental changes in the care of people affected by life-limiting illness. This module explores the development of the hospice movement from sociological and philosophical perspectives. It describes the impact that historical trends have had on community perceptions of death, dying and bereavement and explores how these trends continue to shape and influence the organisation and practice of palliative care services today. The module identifies the concept of ‘need’ and examines current and future provision of palliative care services. It considers the current and future challenges in the provision of palliative care services, including the provision of palliative care to people with non-malignant disease.
Pain and Symptom Assessment and Management in Palliative Care
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness. This is achieved through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems. The practice of palliative care addresses multi-dimensional symptomatology from multi-disciplinary perspectives. This module provides students with an understanding of approaches to symptom assessment in palliative care practice and with strategies for the management of physical symptoms associated with life-limiting illness. It enables students to critically reflect on their usual practice and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide effective, high quality care to people with life-limiting illness.
Psychological, Spiritual And Ethical Aspects Of Palliative Care Practice
Palliative Care practice is an integrated model focussed on holistic care of the patient with a life-limiting illness, and their families. Palliative care practice embodies specific principles which address multi-dimensional needs across a spectrum of life-limiting illnesses and care settings. This module will provide students with knowledge and understanding of the psychological and spiritual aspects of palliative care provision. Students will review strategies for the management of psychological and spiritual issues affecting people with life-limiting illness. They will also gain skills in effective communication and ethical decision-making.
Personhood and loss in the context of life-limiting illness
‘Patient’ comes from the Latin patiens,meaning to endure, bear, or suffer, and refers to an acquiredvulnerability and dependency imposed by changing health circumstances. As patients face the end of life, their sense of personhood is often altered in fundamental ways. This module describes the manner in which palliative care recognises the uniqueness of each person and how this forms the central focus of the therapeutic relationship. Concepts of personhood and theories of loss, grief and bereavement are examined. Students will also critically examine the concept of ‘resilience’, which has been described as a ‘universal capacity which allows a person, group or community to prevent, overcome or minimize damaging effects of adversity’ (Newman, 2004). They will critically explore how resilience work can enhance the resources of individuals to use at times of threat, even within the limited timeframe of a dying trajectory.
