You may be able to study these modules at Level 6 (BSc level) or Level 7 (Masters level) depending on your academic circumstances. Please contact the CPD Team or the Module Leader for advice if you are unsure which level would be best for you.

The 20 credit module, Complexities of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, available at level 6 (UZTR6Y-20-3) or level 7 (UZTSAE-20-M), is designed to provide you with detailed knowledge and understanding of the principles of supportive and end of life care, and how societal attitudes to death and dying may impact on the provision of that care. It also seeks to equip you with an awareness of a wide variety of issues within the context of end of life care.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate comprehensive knowledge about socio-political attitudes to death and dying and recognise potential impact on the provision of care.

• critically evaluate the aims and principles of supportive and end of life care and how they underpin working with dying people and their carers.

• critically evaluate the impact of loss and change for individuals with life threatening illness and their families and carers.

• synthesise a range of evidence relating to therapeutic interventions for the complex biopsychosocial needs of individuals experiencing life threatening illness.

• explore the ethical and legal issues that inform complex decision-making.

• critically appraise communication skills and support mechanisms required to respond effectively to the needs of dying people their families and carers.

• critically appraise the role of multi-professional working in relation to the care of dying people, their families and carers.

Careers / Further study

The level 6 module can contribute towards:

• BSc(Hons) Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• BSc(Hons) Health and Social Care
• MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• MSc Advanced Practice
• Masters Apprenticeship - Advanced Clinical Practice
• Professional Development Award.

The level 7 module can contribute towards:

• MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• MSc Advanced Practice
• Masters Apprenticeship - Advanced Clinical Practice
• Professional Development Award.

Please note: Priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts.  Places on this module will be limited for applications received outside of this funding.  Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may still be available to support your learning.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

Content

The module syllabus will typically cover:

• Contextual issues to include societal attitudes to death, dying and end of life care.

• Policy directives and government guidance

• Holistic assessment and personalised care and management of pain and common symptoms.

• Holistic and personalised assessment of emotional, social and spiritual needs of individuals and their families and carers to include the impact of life limiting and life-threatening illness, responding to loss and change including grief and bereavement, issues related body image, sexuality and spiritual and religious needs.

• The challenges and benefits of communication to include the skills to support open and honest communication, responding to emotional distress and sharing significant news.

• Ethical and professional Issues to include the application of ethical principles and decision-making in supportive end of life care.

• Working with diversity and difference, and multi-professional working in health and social care.

Learning and Teaching

The module will use a variety of approaches, which may include classroom-based sessions, facilitated discussions, experiential learning, video analysis and tutorial.

Theoretical learning will be facilitated through face-to-face study days which sit alongside a final assessment in the form of a 3,000 word essay designed to get you to critically reflect on a significant issue you have encountered in practice.

Assessment

A 2,500 word written assignment which will allow you to demonstrate achievement of the module learning outcomes.

Formative feedback will also be provided by facilitators throughout the course and during a dedicated assignment support session.

If you are interested in taking this module as non-assessed, please get in touch at pd@uwe.ac.uk. There may be a reduction in fee in this case depending on the module; the team can confirm this with you. Please be aware this means you would receive no evidence of completion of any kind (no certificate, credit or “confirmation of attendance). Often, employers do not want to sponsor individuals to take a module as non-assessed as you would receive no accreditation.

When you apply for the module, you may need to select the full fee, but if you let us know you would like to take this as non-assessed, we will ensure that the correct fee is raised