| CODE | NUR5136 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Palliative Care Nursing: Philosophy and Practice | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Nursing | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The content for this study-unit addresses the learning goals that have been identified as essential to postgraduate palliative care education, which were developed in collaboration with WHO European Office and EAPC (Paal et al, 2019). This study-unit will examine definitions of palliative care and critically explore related concepts such as changing populations and needs, suffering, quality of life, life-limiting versus life-threatening illness, dignity and the application of these principles in the clinical setting. Effective responses to the diverse patterns and the characteristics of the various stages of illness trajectories will be addressed, including end of life care. An emphasis will be placed on the importance of comprehensive assessments of the individuals' physical, functional, psychosocial and spiritual status and of anticipating potential problems that could exacerbate the suffering. The benefits of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of these symptoms and strategies that foster multi-professional teamwork, will be addressed. Additionally, the burden that family and primary caregivers face will be highlighted, as well as effective support strategies in response to their practical and psychosocial needs. Concepts of, and responses to grief and bereavement both before and after death will be explored. Lastly, teaching and assessment methods will aim to encourage professional and personal development that would enable a recognition of burnout and access to available support. Study-Unit Aims: - Further develop the student's knowledge of the principles of palliative care and their application throughout the phases of the illness trajectory and in the diverse clinical settings; - Help the student develop the necessary skills to carry out a comprehensive assessment (physical, functional, psychological, social and spiritual), in full acknowledgment of the multidimensionality of human beings and the diversity that influences individual priorities; - Develop the student's skills to identify and implement an evolving care-plan that effectively responds to the patient's, family's and caregivers needs and that has been developed and implemented through a multidisciplinary effort and with the patient and loved ones included in the decision-making process; - Further develop the student's ability to provide effective end of life care in the diverse clinical settings, including grief and bereavement support. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify the principles and main concepts of palliative care and critically discuss these in relation to their application within the diverse clinical settings; - Describe the diverse stages of the illness trajectory and critically discuss the potential impact of each of these stages on the ill individual, their loved ones and the primary caregivers; - Identify commonly occurring physical, functional, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients within a palliative context, whilst simultaneously acknowledging human diversity and individual preferences/priorities; - Explain the concept of total pain and other common symptoms and identify current management approaches; - Discuss effective strategies that address the needs of patients at the end of life and their loved ones; - Critically discuss the concepts of grief and bereavement and approaches to care. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply the principles and concepts of palliative care to clinical practice to prevent/minimize the suffering of patients, loved ones and caregivers in the diverse settings; - Carry out a comprehensive and holistic assessment and in collaboration with the patient, family and multidisciplinary team, develop and implement a care plan based on identified actual and potential needs; - Demonstrate the ability to assess and effectively manage pain and other symptoms; - Practice comprehensive care coordination and multidisciplinary teamwork; - Identify and offer patients, their family and caregivers, the most appropriate model of care appropriate to their needs, including towards the end of life and in accordance with individual preferences; - Provide grief and bereavement support; - Practice self-awareness and demonstrate the ability to identify one's own needs on both an educational and personal level. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Watson, M., Campbell, R., Vallath, N, Ward, S., Wells, J. (2019). Oxford Handbook of Palliative Care (3rd Ed). Oxford University Press, UK. Supplementary Readings: - Atul Gawande (2004). Being Mortal: Medicine and what matters in the end. - Ouiment Perrin, K., Sheeham, C.A., Potter, M.L., Kazanoliski, M.K. (2022). Palliative Care Nursing: Caring for suffering patients. - the 2nd edition will be available in February, 2022. - Kalanithi, P. (2016). When Breath Becomes Air. Penguin Random House, UK. Further readings and other relevant material will be provided throughout the course. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study, Practicum & Tutorial | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Kurt Cassar Joanna Depares (Co-ord.) Lara Farrugia Marika Fleri Conti Annabella Magro Doreen Pace Victor Pace Emily Sammut Hammett Fiona Josette Scalpello Anthony Scerri Gloria Spiteri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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