Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

SP50148 The social context of palliative care

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: ES100

Requisites:

Aims: To enable students to:
* Develop a comprehensive understanding of the development of palliative care as a particular pathway in the care of dying people
* Be aware of the cultural specificity of this model of care
* Develop a conceptual understanding of current challenges and future developments of this model.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
* Demonstrate a critical awareness of the evolution of palliative care
* Systematically understand the underlying principles of the model
* Account for cultural variations
* Reflect critically on current ethical debates concerning resource allocation and extension of services to all patient groups.
Skills:

* Develop skills to critically reflect on the suitability of diverse approaches for investigating and analysing problems.
* Appreciate and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a model of care.
* Develop ability to apply theory to policy areas.
* Identify and access relevant information sources.
* Communicate complex issues and perspectives effectively.
* Develop skills of time management, workload prioritisation and related planning skills.
* Develop good writing and presentation skills.
Content:

1) Care of the dying: historical perspectives
2) The modern hospice movement
3) Underlying principles: open awareness, communication, and patient autonomy
4) Incorporation and expansion: theoretical perspectives
5) Translating the model of care: international perspectives
6) The implications of cultural variations
7) Ethical issues
8) Palliative care for non-cancer patients: the implications
9) Future challenges for palliative care
10) Health promoting palliative care.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07