Poster presentation with seminar presentation as oral defence. Weighted at 100%.
Poster presentation focussing on the application of relevant evidence in symptom management within the student's area of practice
and in conjunction
15 minute seminar presentation providing oral defence of the issues contained within the poster (All LO's)

Formative Assessment::
case discussion, particularly relating to own area of practice
small group work

Symptom relief is regarded as one of the key aspects of care concerned with improving quality of life for patients and their carers. This module enables you to develop the skills and knowledge associated with managing a range of symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, vomiting, fatigue, and other symptoms associated with cardiac, respiratory and neurological diseases, cancer and long term conditions such as cognitive impairment and /or dementia.
Content includes
Principles of symptom assessment
The issue of symptom distress
Dealing with multiple symptoms
The concept of intractable symptoms
Evidence based symptom management
Ethical and legal considerations when managing symptoms
Decision making in clinical situations
Care provision
It will focus on the holistic assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for patients in the student's area of practice or experience. Because of the complex and multifaceted nature of symptom management, best practice relating to psychological, emotional, social and spiritual issues of care will be incorporated into the above, and into discussion of support strategies that can be utilised with patients, clients and carers.

Learning activities will include

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (25 hours)
10 hours Lead lectures
2 hours Critical discussion
5 hours Seminars
1 hour Individual tutorial
2 hours use of examples from art / literature/ film
5 hours Case examples for discussion

Guided Independent Study: (125 hours)
15 hours Literature searching
50 hours Reading
50 hours Assignment preparation
10 hours Preparation for lead lectures and seminar work

Library and IT resources
Personal computer and printer
TV / DVD player
Internet access and database access for electronic literature and image searching
Module tutors
Specialist lecturers
Lecture rooms with computer, e mail access, internet access, power point projector, and sound projection

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of intervention for symptoms experienced by patients in your own area of practice.
(Knowledge and Understanding)

2. Apply ethical and legal principles related to symptom management at the end of life. (Application)

3. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of current care provision, developing insights into future care delivery to meet the changing needs of patients and carers in your area. (Analysis, Application)

4. Critically appraise and apply relevant evidence encompassing your area of practice or experience. (Analysis, Application, Communication)

Lawton J (2000) The Dying Process - Patients' experiences of palliative care. Routledge. London
Wilkinson I and Raine T 2017 Oxford handbook of Palliative Care. OUP.
Nicol J and Nyatanga B (2017) 2nd Ed Palliative and End of Life Care in Nursing. Sage. London
Downs M and Middleton Green L (2017) End of life care for people with dementia - A person centred approach Jessica Kingley Publishers. London
Gawande A (2017) Being Mortal. Medicine and what matters in the end. Profile Books. London
Range of current strategy and policy guidelines which will vary as to current version and publication date