Hughes J (2006) Palliative Care in Severe Dementia. Quay Books. London
Kaye P (1999) Decision Making in Palliative Care. EPL Publications. Northampton
Lawton J (2000) The Dying Process - Patients' experiences of palliative care. Routledge. London
Twycross R (2002) Palliative Care Formulary. Radcliffe Publishing
Watson S (2005) Oxford handbook of Palliative Care. OUP.
Woods S (2007) Death's Dominion- Ethics at the end of life. McGraw Hill. OUP. Maidenhead

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

Symptom relief is regarded as one of the key aspects of care concerned with improving quality of life for patients and their carers (NICE, 2005). 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. 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.

Poster presentation with seminar presentation as oral defence. Weighted at 50%.
Poster presentation focussing on the application of relevant evidence in symptom management within the student?s area of experience
And in conjunction
A 15 minute seminar presentation providing oral defence of the issues contained within the poster. (Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4)

And in addition
Reflective essay focussing on the issues raised in the poster and seminar presentation (2,500 words). Weighted at 50% (learning outcomes 1,2,3 and 4)

Both pieces of work must achieve a pass grade of 50%

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment :)
Formative feedback and assessment will take the form of classroom discussion and peer discussion throughout the module

Learning activities will include

Lead lectures (10)
Critical discussion (2)
Seminars (5)
Individual tutorial (1)
The use of examples from art / literature/ film (2)
Case examples for discussion (5)
Independent study (125)

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