Skip over navigation
Palliative Care
|MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert
|Part Time, Full Time
| Admissions status: OpenSTRUCTURE 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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
KEY FACTS
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.
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.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by