End of Life (EoL) Care is provided in hospitals at the community and other healthcare settings. Professionals who work within healthcare settings will encounter patients who are nearing EoL and require specialised care. This unit will specifically draw upon current policy and essential skills which are clinically relevant for all nurses working with palliative care patients at EoL. The unit will examine the epidemiology of death and dying and the issues that surround EoL care and dying in a variety of healthcare contexts. It will also describe how to recognise when a patient is approaching the end of life and then begin conversations with patients, families and other professionals in relation to this process including advance care planning. The unit will address therapeutic communication skills, cultural safety, interprofessional practice and grief and bereavement with EoL.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Selected readings will be made available via the unit VU Collaborate site.
This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.