Gilbert, P. (2013) Spirituality and end of life care: a handbook on best practice in end of life care. Pavillion Publishing.
Hockley, J. Froggatt, K. Heimerl, K. (eds) (2013) Particpatory Research in Palliative care -actions & reflections. Oxford University Press.
Kissane, D. Bulitz, B. Butow, P. Finlay, I. (2011) Handbook of communication in oncology and palliative care. Oxford University Press.
Proot. C. York, M. (2013) Life to be lived. Challenges and choices for patients and carers in life threatening illness. Oxford University Press.

Library, IT resources

Independent Study Hours: (48)
14 hours Interactive lectures
10 hours Case study exploration
5 hours Tutorials
7 hours Experiential workshops
7 hours Discussion
5 hours Directed reading

Independent Study Hours: (102)
Background reading, study and assignment preparation

Sociology and psychology of death and dying and its influence on practice.
Concepts of loss, grief and normal bereavement across all age ranges.
Physical and psychological responses to bereavement. Theories and definitions of pain physiology.
Nursing assessment of pain and tools available.
Religious, spiritual issues for practice.
Ethical frameworks, including consent, truth telling euthanasia and advance directives
Listening and empathic skills development.
Reflective and therapeutic questioning techniques. Interviewing skills and support networks.
Problem solving in challenging areas i.e. dyspnoea, anorexia, emesis, constipation, lymphoedema,
wound management.

A 3500 word reflective essay demonstrating the use of critical analysis of the care of one chosen person. This will be closely aligned with the formative presentation and developing the person centred issues that have arisen (Achieves all Learning Outcomes).

Formative Assessment / Feedback:
The recording of a reflective incident pertinent to the chosen person for the summative care study. Discussion of this with peer group within the classroom.

This module covers fundamental concepts relating to the palliative care of the individual and their families. Core subjects covered include the sociology and psychology of death and dying and its influence on practice, concepts of loss, grief and normal bereavement across all age ranges and the physical and psychological responses to bereavement. You will be able to discuss and learn with other students on the module and explore a range of associated issues such as pain and its physiology, the nursing assessment of pain and tools available and the religious and spiritual issues encountered in practice. You will also gain by developing your listening and empathic skills, in the context of ethical frameworks, and will cover some specific areas such as consent, truth telling, euthanasia and advanced directives.