Develop the skills necessary to appraise evidence based care and conduct research on issues of palliative care to inform clinical practice and service development. MSc and PG Dip: six modules plus research study project for MSc. PG Cert: three modules.
Department website:
http://www.csi.kcl.ac.uk/
KEY BENEFITS
- The programme has a national and international reputation attracting students from all over the world.
- The programme is focused strongly on evidence and on understanding how to conduct research in palliative care and related areas.
- Teaching staff are key academics, practitioners and policy-makers in the field of palliative care. Visiting lecturers are drawn from across the UK and Europe.
- The programme is based at the new Cicely Saunders Institute, a WHO Collaborating Centre for palliative care which is at the heart of national and international research and academic-clinical collaborations.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Many former SpRs now have consultant posts; many clinical nurse specialists are now nurse consultants. A number of former students have gone forward to study for PhDs and teach on the programme.
Programme leader/s
Dr Jonathan Koffman
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, January 2013 to December 2013, or two years PT, January 2013 to December 2014.
Location
Cicely Saunders Institute, Denmark Hill Campus; St Christopher's Hospice, Sydenham, south London.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Medicine
Closing date
4 December 2013.
Intake
Approximately 25-30 FT/ PT.
Fees
PT Home: £3250 yr 1, £2,940 yr 2 (MSc); Please contact School for PG Dip and PG Cert fees (2013 fees shown)
PT Overseas: £9500 yr 1, £9,290 yr 2 (MSc); Please contact School for PG Dip and PG Cert fees (2013 fees shown)
FT Home: £6500 (MSc) Please contact School for PG Dip and PG Cert fees (2013 fees shown)
FT Overseas: £19000 (MSc) Please contact School for PG Dip and PG Cert fees (2013 fees shown)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Postgraduate Admissions Centre at Guy's Campus, tel 020 7848 8393.
Deparment enquiries (Denmark Hill campus) tel 020 7848 5584
Dr Jonathan Koffman, tel 020 7848 5590, fax 020 7848 5517.
Email
Website
PURPOSE
To develop the skills necessary to appraise evidence based care and conduct research on issues of palliative care in order to inform clinical practice and service development in the field of palliative care.
DESCRIPTION
This multi-professional MSc is a joint development between King's College London School of Medicine and St Christopher's Hospice. We will give you the skills you need to appraise research and evidence in issues of palliative care to inform your clinical practice and service development.
Our primary aim is to improve the ability, competence and confidence of students to care for patients with advanced disease and their families. This relies heavily on critically appraising existing evidence of the effectiveness, appropriateness and acceptability of existing interventions and services, both medical and psychosocial.
The programme is multi-disciplinary - palliative care professionals from all disciplines learn alongside each other. It is jointly run with
St Christopher's Hospice, which is widely regarded as the pioneer institution of the modern hospice movement with a reputation for excellence in clinical practice, research and education.
You will develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the many clinical, social, psychosocial, and ethical issues in palliative care and their assessment and management. You will also acquire the skills required to critically appraise the evidence of both existing and new treatments and carry out your own research.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
The modules are specifically designed to appeal to future leaders in palliative and end-of-life care.
Core modules:
- Research Methods & Statistics in Palliative Care
- Biology & Management of Symptoms in Advanced Disease
- Psychosocial, Cultural, Ethical & Spiritual Issues
- Service Organisation & Policy in Palliative Care
- Research Project (MSc only).
Optional Modules:
- Applying Epidemiology in Palliative Care
- Advanced Psychosocial, Ethical & Spiritual Care
- Service Development & Management
- Advanced Pain & Symptom Control.
Please see the modules list for further information.
Indicative non-core content
Please see the modules list for further information.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
MSc and PG Dip students take four core and two optional modules. In addition, MSc students complete a research study project. PG Cert students study two core and one optional module. Assessment is by examinations and coursework, and for MSc students, completion of a research study project.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7MMPAC02
Credit level: 7
This module reviews the epidemiology and pathophysiology of progressive incurable illnesses, which are relevant to specialists in palliative care. It then reviews the aetiology, mechanisms and management of common symptoms in palliative care leaving participants with the skills to assess and manage symptoms and appraise new therapies appropriate to their professional group.
Module code: 7MMPAC04
Credit level: 7
This module reviews psychosocial, cultural, ethical and spiritual issues for patients and families/carers in palliative care, leaving students with the skills to explore these issues. Participants will consider how these issues affect patients and their families and what strategies can be developed to effectively provide help. Training in communication skills will also be provided. The main ethical debates in palliative care including, truth telling and communication, cultural relativism, nutrition and hydration, euthanasia and physician- assisted suicide are also examined.
Module code: 7MMPAC01
Credit level: 7
This module aims to describe and illustrate the methods available for research in palliative care, leaving students able to understand, appraise and develop sound research studies. Common research methods in palliative care are reviewed, including systematic literature reviews, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, clinical trials, epidemiological methods, survey design, economic analysis, and integration of methods in palliative care research.
Module code: 7MMPAC09
Credit level: 7
15,000 word research study project usually based on on of the following:
- analysis of orginal data you have collected in your place or work
- secondary analysis of existing data
- sytematic review.
The aims of the research project are:
- To identify an area for further study in the field of palliative care
- To design a suitable method to explore this area
- To identify and analyse data using relevant techniques and methods
- To critically appraise the data identified and relate this to the current knowledge base
- To provide future recommendations for research, based on study findings
- To be able to justify the appropriateness of each stage of the research process
Module code: 7MMPAC03
Credit level: 7
This module considers the historical and international perspectives of palliative care practice and policy. It will provide you with an overview of ways that services have developed, how this is affected by different cultures, local communities, resources and local and national policies. It considers approaches to needs assessment, organisation theory and local management including financial aspects, quality control and clinical audit.
Module code: 7MMPAC05
Credit level: 7
This optional module reviews the effectiveness of different interventions to control pain and symptoms in advanced cancer and other progressive life limiting diseases. A number of common symptoms are covered, but the module concentrates on symptoms that are difficult to control including neuropathic pain, dyspnoea, fatigue, cachexia, nausea and vomiting. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are considered.
Module code: 7MMPAC07
Credit level: 7
This module reviews the effectiveness of the psychosocial and spiritual interventions for patients and families/carers in palliative care leaving students with evidence based clinical skills and knowledge on which to base their future practice.
Module code: 7MMPAC08
Credit level: 7
This module provides participants with a detailed knowledge of the incidence and prevalence of advanced diseases, including cancer, and an understanding of how epidemiologically based approaches can be applied to palliative care research.
Module code: 7MMPAC06
Credit level: 7
This optional module considers the approaches to developing and managing services using evidence based clinical practice. It reviews the evidence underpinning service development, the adaptation of such evidence to local needs, working within existing communities and cultures and detailed aspects of management including financing, strategy and marketing. Finally, the process of introducing and developing systems of quality assurance in clinical audit is considered in depth.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
A degree in medicine, nursing or dentistry or a 2:1 degree in life sciences or social sciences from a UK or overseas university. You must also have experience of working in palliative care or an associated area, eg clinical or social care research.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
We interview candidates, usually with two members of the department, to discuss your palliative care experience, reasons for wanting to join the programme, and your research interests.
Please note: The programme runs from January to December.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
A personal statement and full transcripts are required.
FUNDING
Scholarships may be available. For more information on these please see the Institute website
http://www.csi.kcl.ac.uk/ Students are self-funded, funded by their employer and a number of charitable organisations.
Staff profiles
Palliative Care MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert
Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and families who face life threatening illness. It provides pain and symptom relief, and spiritual and psychosocial support from diagnosis to the end of life and during bereavement.
The multiprofessional MSc in Palliative Care is an exciting, innovative and unique course for students who want to acquire a critical understanding of research and evidence-based palliative care and service development. Two new qualifications, a Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate, extend the scope of high quality learning and allow students to enter a programme at a point relevant to their work experience. All three courses are run in collaboration with St. Christopher's Hospice, London, and draw on the research, teaching expertise and international reputations of health and social care professionals from both institutions as well as nationally.
Since the course's inception students have reported added-value in learning alongside other professions, particularly with regard to lateral thinking, questioning preconceived ideas, and improved communication opportunities. Nearly a third of students who have completed the MSc are from outside the UK and include the USA, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Taiwan, Japan, Iceland and India. We are convinced that the different working experiences and cultures these students bring with them enhance the educational experience of all the courses offered.