Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE NUR5141

 
TITLE The Cancer Trajectory - Contemporary Approaches to Cancer Care

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Nursing

 
DESCRIPTION The aim of this study-unit is to provide postgraduate students with an advanced knowledge of how to care for patients with oncological, haematological, paediatric, and dermatological cancers at different stages of the cancer care pathway. This study-unit will also enable students to reflect about the experiences of persons with cancer throughout the cancer care trajectory and the role of the cancer nurse in providing psychosocial and spiritual care. Moreover, students will be guided as to how to deal with oncological emergencies and critically reflect about the ethico-legal aspects of providing cancer treatment.

Topics to be covered in this study-unit include:

- Primary, secondary, and tertiary cancer prevention;
- Experiences of persons with cancer and their loved ones throughout the cancer care pathway, including the survivorship phase and the end of life;
- Nursing management of oncological emergencies;
- Psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of living with cancer;
- Ethical considerations in cancer care;
- Multidisciplinary approaches to cancer care;
- Important attributes of specialist cancer nurses.

Study-Unit Aims:

- Describe in detail the care of patients with oncological, haematological, paediatric and dermatological cancers;
- Describe the physical and psychosocial impact of diagnosis and treatment on the patient with cancer and his/her family;
- Explore ways to enhance the experience of cancer survivors;
- Describes the necessary skills needed to support patients with cancer, as well as the ethico-legal aspects of care;
- Emphasise the implementation and evaluation of patient-centred care when delivering evidence-based nursing interventions across the cancer care pathway.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Prepare, support, and assess the patient with cancer;
- Identify the role of the specialist cancer nurse in cancer prevention activities;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the specialist cancer nurse in dealing with the acute and delayed side effects of cancer treatments;
- Identify disease- and treatment-related health needs across the cancer care pathway and respond with an evidence-based plan of care;
- Identify physical, psychosocial, informational, and spiritual supportive care needs of the patient with cancer and the role of the specialist cancer nurse and multidisciplinary cancer team in meeting these needs;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethico-legal aspects of cancer care.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Plan and implement an evidence-based plan of care when caring for a patient with cancer;
- Apply a high level of critical thinking skills and problem solving skills when faced with patient's health needs.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Itano, J.K. et al.(2015) Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing. (5th Ed.). ONS, Elsevier.

Supplementary Readings:

- Mahon, S.M. & Bell,R. (2020). Study Guide for the Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing. (6th ed.). ONS, Elsevier.
- Tadman, M., Roberts, D., & Foulkes, M. (2019). Oxford handbook of cancer nursing. (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Newton, S., Hickey, M., & Brant, J. (2016). Mosby's Oncology Nursing Advisor: A Comprehensive Guide to Clinical Practice.(2nd Ed.).Elsevier.
- Yarbro, C.H.,Wujcik, D. & Gobel, B,H. (2011). Cancer Nursing. Principles and Practice.(7th ed.). Jones and Bartlett.
- Chernecky,C.C., & Murphy-Ende, K. (2009). Acute Care Oncology Nursing. Saunders.
- Shockney, L.D. (ed.). (2018). Team-Based Oncology Care: The Pivotal Role of Oncology Navigation. AONN. Springer.
- Rauh, S. (ed.). (2021). Survivorship Care for Cancer Patients: A Clinician’s Handbook. Springer.
- Matzo, M. & Sherman, D.W. (eds.)(2019). Palliative Care Nursing: Quality Care to the End of Life. (5th ed.). Springer.
- Franco, E.L., Rohan, T.E. & Fraumeni, J.F. (2002). Cancer Precursors: Epidemiology, Detection, and Prevention: Epidemiology, Detection and Prevention. Springer.
- Watson, J. L. (ed.) (2018). Your Guide to Cancer Prevention. Oncology Nursing Society.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Study-unit: NUR5133

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study, Practicum & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (20 Minutes) SEM2 Yes 20%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Daren Chircop (Co-ord.)
Angele Cuschieri
Danika Maria Marmara

 

 
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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