Palliative Care in Practice

Unit code: HNO7010 | Study level: Postgraduate
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Victoria University Online
N/A
Overview
Enquire

Overview

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.


Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Critique Australian policies and standards for palliative care;
  2. Investigate and reflect on principles and philosophy of palliative care for a variety of healthcare contexts;
  3. Critically review palliative care requirements to deliver family and person-centred care; and
  4. Evaluate models of care including interprofessional team work, for patients, family and carers receiving palliative care.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 10%
Reflection (500 words)
Assessment type: Case Study
|
Grade: 50%
Therapeutic communication and person and family centered palliative care (2500 words)
Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 40%
Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams (2000 words)

Required reading

Selected readings will be made available via the unit VU Collaborate site.

As part of a course

This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.

Search for units, majors & minors