Module Descriptors
THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PALLIATIVE AND END OF LIFE CARE
NURS70757
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 7
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Barbara Edwards
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • Practical - Presentation to Peers (40 minute presentation, 10 weighted at 100%
Module Details
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a critical understanding and evaluation of the policy and principles of holistic palliative and end of life care for the individual in society.
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and evaluate contemporary literature on the effectiveness of the delivery of palliative and end of life care services and how this may be altered or enhanced to benefit the patient experience.
Analysis
Problem Solving

3. Demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on your own practice and make recommendations on how to apply new knowledge gained to potentially improve patient care.
Reflection
Application
Communication
Assessment Details
Presentation to Peers 100% weighting 50 minutes in total 40 minute presentation and then 10 minutes for questions.

A 40 minute presentation which critically reviews palliative/ end of life care in practice. The presentation will demonstrate critical thinking and how the principles of palliative and end of life care can be applied in your area of practice.

Formative Assessment: Discussion of the presentation with student peer group and tutor(s) within allocated time in the classroom.
Indicative Content
Concepts and definitions of palliative and end of life care will be explored as well as current policy development in palliative and end of life care both locally and nationally and current legal, ethical and professional issues in palliative and end of life care.

The module will address the common core principles for holistic palliative and end of life care through effective holistic assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for groups of patients in a variety of practice settings. The focus will be on having the foresight to develop appropriate palliative ad end of life care provision in your areas of practice.

You will gain an understanding of the nature and relief of suffering from physical, emotional psychological and spiritual perspectives in order to inform your practice or the practice of your team.
Pain and symptom management in advanced disease including, assessment, management, monitoring and review will be explored. Problem solving and decision making in challenging areas will be explored, for example dyspnoea, anorexia, constipation, wound management and end of life care emergencies.
Multi professional and multi-agency team working and decision making in partnership with the patient, families, carers and team members, in order to provide coordinated care.

You will examine how to acknowledge the physical and psychological responses to loss and bereavement across all age ranges, genders and cultures ad be able to develop a culture to meet the varying needs of your client group.

Encourage ongoing sensitive and thoughtful conversations around end of life care wishes and advance care planning both between patient and relatives and health care professionals.

Ensure patients’ needs are met and their preferences respected in accordance with the codes of practice such as the HCPC, NMC.

Promote autonomy and empower patients to make decisions about their end of life care.

The importance of staff support, supervision and continuing professional development when delivering palliative and end of life care will be explored.
Learning Strategies
Contact Hours: (36)
24 hours interactive lectures / specialist lectures / peer group learning / experiential learning
12 hours debate / seminars / reflection / tutorials

Independent Study Hours: (114) which will include:
50 hours Background reading
Including Blackboard Resources/Reading
40 Assignment Preparation
9 hours Prep for Lead Lectures/Case Studies
15 hours Literature searching
Texts
Hockley, J. Froggatt, K. Heimerl, K. (eds) (2013) Participatory Research in Palliative care –actions & reflections. Oxford University Press.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2015). End of Life Care for Adults Quality Standard (QS13).

Nichol, J., Nyatanga, B. (2017). Palliative and End of Life Care in Nursing, Transforming Nursing Practice. Sage. London
Resources
Access to Blackboard
Special Admissions Requirements
Working in a Health and Social Care Arena