Palliative Care in Practice

This unit specifically looks at the issues specific to palliation and clinical decision making with adults or older persons from diverse cultural groups within hospital, community settings or residential aged care with a life limiting illness. Palliative care within these settings typically occurs over a protracted period of time and involves a specialised palliative approach with terminal care. Students will develop knowledge in the assessment and clinical management of each new symptom in order to differentiate between an irreversible condition and a potentially reversible symptom that requires acute medical intervention. Providing care for relief of symptoms will be reviewed. Issues of addressing and documenting patient and family wishes regarding interventions and care in the event of clinical decline is also explored including the development of advance care plans. The unit will cover the physical, social, psychological, ethical, and legislative issues pertinent to this specialised area.