Our 2024/25 academic year is now open for applications! Discover our range of programmes and modules available to you.

The Royal Marsden School

Palliative and End of Life Care

Cost

£1350

Delivery method

Fully On-line

Length of module

It runs over approximately 12 weeks

Estimated hours of study

200 hours

Academic credits and level

20 credits at level 6 or 7

Entry requirements

The learner will be a healthcare professional currently working with People Affected by Cancer (PABC)

Course availability

Apply now

Course summary

Palliative care is a crucial part of holistic care, which has increased in public awareness, particularly over the recent pandemic (Fadul, Elsayam and Bruera 2021). It is defined as ‘the active, total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment’ (MacLeod and Van den Block 2019), provided by many different professions across all settings, so relevant to all. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition that many groups of patients often have unmet palliative and end of life care needs (Matzo and Sherman, 2019)


To support equitable access, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published the ‘End of life care for adults: service delivery’ guidance in 2019. This guideline covers organising and delivering end of life care services, and emphasises the role that palliative care has in providing care and support in the final weeks and months of life (or for some conditions, years), and the planning and preparation for this care. Its’ aims and that of this module are to ensure that learners are equipped to understand the needs of these groups and to enable people to access the care that they want and need in all care settings, it also aims to acknowledge the needs of carers if this is to be achieved.


This module is recommended for health care practitioners from any care setting – acute sector, long-term care, third sector or the community, working with individuals with a palliative and/or end of life condition and who may have a particular interest in the care of cancer patients. It aims to explore the needs of patients living with a life-limiting illness, those significant to them, and the most effective ways to support them

The module and its content is aligned to Skills Multidisciplinary Guidance (UKONS, 2018) as well as the RCN/UKONS/HEE (2022) Career Pathway and Education Framework and the four pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice (HEE, 2017).

 I thoroughly enjoyed the days in the school: the group dynamics were great and well-facilitated by the module leader, who encouraged group participation. It was really interesting hearing other students’ experiences. 

This module is in association with: Current UEA Logo 2023

Entry Requirements

Please view the Admissions Policy before applying.

Key topics

  • Key contemporary concepts and philosophies in palliative and end of life care 
  • The challenge of providing palliative care in various settings 
  • Management of common symptoms encountered in advanced disease: pain, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting, constipation, palliative care emergencies, terminal symptoms 
  • Psychological, spiritual, and social issues 
  • Quality of life 
  • Ethical and legal issues 
  • Managing difficult conversations 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module at Level 6 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

  • Discuss the philosophy of palliative care and how it relates to the provision of effective supportive and end of life care, in your clinical practice
  • Critically explore the multi-professional and ethical issues inherent in the provision of palliative care
  • Analyse the principles of symptom management to enhance patient’s quality of life and death
  • Evaluate the importance of communication skills in the delivery of care to individuals and their carers, with advanced and terminal disease
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the transitions between acute, palliative and end of life care

On successful completion of the module at Level 7 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

  • Critically analyse the philosophy of palliative care and how it relates to the provision of effective support and end of life care, in your clinical practice
  • Critically analyse the multi-professional and ethical issues inherent in the provision of effective palliative care for individuals with advanced and terminal disease
  • Critically evaluate the literature base in relation to the identification, assessment, and implementation of symptom management in advanced and terminal disease
  • Synthesising theory to practice, critically evaluate how communication impacts the provision of palliative and end of life care
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the political, social, and strategic influences that impact on palliative care services

Dates

Course 1

On-line, morning, live interactive sessions on: 12, 19, 26 September, 3 and 10 October 2024, with further on-line activities to be completed in your own time between these dates.
Submission date: 28 November 2024

Course 2

On-line, morning, live interactive sessions on: 22, 29 April, 6, 13 and 20 May 2025, with further on-line activities to be completed in your own time between these dates.
Submission date: 9 July 2025

Assessment

Level 6: Essay: 2,000 words
Level 7: Essay: 3,000 words

Student support

Tutorials with the module leader or personal tutor are available if students require additional help with the planning and writing of their assignments. Email and telephone support are also available from the module leader/personal tutor.

The Royal Marsden School uses an online environment called Moodle which students must access during their studies to support and enhance our courses. The site provides resources and communication tools. All students will be provided with a username and password to access module specific sections as well as general learning support such as study skills and library resources. Students also have access to the David Adams Library and Electronic Resource Centre. 

To get the best from the live video-conferencing sessions and enable you to participate fully you should have access to a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone. If you have any concerns or need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Related pathways

This stand-alone module also forms part of these pathways: