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Module

ONC8030 : Psychosocial Issues in Advanced Disease (E-learning)

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Ms Kay McAlinden
  • Lecturer: Ms Lucy Hewitt
  • Owning School: Pharmacy
  • Teaching Location: Off Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The overall aim of the module is to explore some of the psychological, social and organisational factors that influence the responses to and the management and outcomes of advanced disease cancer. This module will consider the theoretical basis of these issues and explore them these factors from the perspectives of the patient, their family or carers and the health professionals involved in their care. These are core competencies for practitioners in the fields of palliative care and oncology.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will cover the following topics:
• Theoretical basis of psychosocial development Loss threat and adjustment
• Communication
• Sharing bad news
• Family and social networks
• Assessing psychological needs
• Self-image, body image and sexuality
• Living with and beyond a diagnosis of advanced disease
• Understanding and managing responses to grief
• Therapeutic interventions
• Professional support, self-care and supervision

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion216:0032:00Independent assessment preparation
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading123:3042:00Online content
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity123:3042:00Reflective accounts
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study123:3042:00Supplemental reading and practice-based investigation
Guided Independent StudyOnline Discussion123:3042:00Via discussion board and private journal (3-4 per week)
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The design of the on-line materials and tutorials encourages practitioners to explore and deepen their understanding of psycho-social aspects of cancer care, including grief, loss and bereavement. On-line asynchronous discussion will focus on issues raised through reading and reflection. The outcomes of these discussions allows online networking, peer-to-peer support and facilitates vicarious learning through sharing of best practice. Moderation of discussions by the module leader provides a safe space for sharing of sensitive material.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M602,000 word
Reflective log1M404 reflective activities undertaken throughout the module (500 words max per reflection)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Reflective log1M1,000 words maximum
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The summative assessment is in two parts: a 2000 word essay and 4 reflective accounts. This assessment rationale allows students to demonstrate their development of relevant skills and understanding from the topics covered in the module.

In the essay, students have a choice of topics, each of which require students to critically apply relevant research and theory to clinical practice and service provision. In the reflective account, students will provide a series of individual reflections of their development of relevant skills and understanding from the topics covered in the module.

Should a student fail the module overall they must submit a 2,000 word reflective account of their learning gained from studying this module and how they intend to apply this learning to their practice and/ or service provision.

Reading Lists

Timetable