Module Code - Title:
NM4106
-
PRINCIPLES OF PALLIATIVE CARE
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module is founded on the centrality of person centred approaches in supporting individuals and their families across a palliative care journey.
Syllabus:
Philosophy and frameworks for person and family centred palliative care. Psychosocial, spiritual and cultural dimensions in respecting individuality and choice along a personal journey. Communication and therapeutic relationships. Self-care for individuals families and practitioners. Collaborative decision making. Managing physical and psychosocial symptoms in promoting wellbeing, optimising comfort and quality of life. Death and dying a social and cultural perspective; individualised care planning in end of life care. Rituals, dignity and safety following death. Bereavement processes. Family/carer experiences of grief and loss.
Clinical Skills
1. Recognition of symptoms at the end-of-life (supporting pharmacological and non- pharmacological approaches)
2. Breaking bad news - advancing skills in practice
3. Self-care practices for individuals, families and practitioners
4. Introduction to syringe drivers for symptom control
5. Documentation- assessment and measurement practice skills- PCOC (Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration)
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
Discuss ethical, legal and professional influences on person centred palliative nursing care.
Discuss the principles of symptom management in palliative care.
Critically reflect on the nursing contributions in providing palliative and end of life care.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
Demonstrate an appreciation of the uniqueness of each person and their family across the palliative care journey.
Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of caring for self as a foundation for providing compassionate palliative care.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to: Demonstrate safe clinical skills essential for palliative care.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module aims to develop and apply students understanding of palliative nursing through engaged learning modalities. The creative use of learning strategies promote student responsibility in accessing and using national and international evidence and applied to nursing practice. Students use person centred nursing philosophies to support the person with palliative care needs across all healthcare settings. Learning strategies include lectures, tutorials, peer group discussions, enquiry/problem based learning and reflection. Students will be expected to take increased responsibility for self-directed study to support their learning.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Rolling Ferrell, B. and Paice, J. (2019)
Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing, 5th ed.,
, UK: Oxford University Press.
Walshe, C., Preston, N. and Johnston, B. (2018)
Palliative Care Nursing, 3rd ed.
, UK: Open University Press.
Watson, M., Ward, S., Vallath, N., Wells, J. and Campbell, R. (2019)
Oxford Handbook of Palliative Care¿, 3rd ed.,
, UK: Oxford University Press.
Other Relevant Texts:
Mannix, K. (2021)
Listen: How to Find the Words for Tender Conversations .
, London: William Collins Publishers.
McDonald, S. Herx, L. and Boyle, A. (2022)
Palliative Medicine: A Case Based Manual, 4th ed.,
, UK: Oxford University Press.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
kerry.mcglynn@ul.ie