Palliative Medicine for Health Care Professionals (MSc)

How will I be taught?

This is a blended learning programme incorporating short face-to-face components but is predominantly delivered though distance-learning via our virtual learning environment where you will find course materials, links to related resources and assessments.

Each taught module will be delivered by distance learning over a period of normally 12 weeks. Online teaching and support is also available during the MSc stage.  Learning materials relating to the syllabus will be available for you to study in preparation for completing assessments.

At the beginning of each academic year on the programme, there will be a face-to-face interactive course of normally up to 5 working days. All students are required to attend this component each year. You will not be charged an attendance fee for the face-to-face component, but you will be expected to fund all other costs of attending including travel, accommodation, subsistence and any other personal expenses. 

The face to face components provide an opportunity to meet the staff and other students and are designed to support learning through various means including talks, workshops/exercises and peer discussion. They are a valuable aspect of the programme encouraging group and peer support for learning so as to enhance the learning experience.

During the face-to-face component we take the opportunity to introduce concepts that are not easily taught through a VLE, including communication skills sessions facilitated by experienced tutors in small groups, offering a chance to practice these skills.

Throughout the taught stages there are opportunities to acquire knowledge and understanding through a variety of means including independent study, reflective practice, peer discussion, workshops and tasks/exercises, communication skills practice and self-assessment, reviewing learning materials and lectures (podcasts). 

Each module has its own learning outcomes. You have the opportunity to demonstrate that you have met these learning outcomes via the formative and summative assessments contained within each module. The teaching and learning material presented in the online and face-to-face components is aligned with the learning outcomes to support your learning. 

Studies at MSc dissertation level will largely consist of guided independent study and research, making use of the extensive learning and research facilities available including learning material provided via our online learning platform.

How will I be assessed?

The assessments have been chosen to ensure that the learning outcomes are appropriately tested and provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate that you have met them. Specific assessment methods for each module are detailed within the relevant Module Description.

Formative and summative assessment is through module assignments including methods such as: case reflections, critical appraisals, online quizzes, creating posters, opinion pieces, communication strategies or proposals. Standardised marking schemes will be used for all summative assessment and the feedback provided for each completed assignment to guide the student for future assignments.

The dissertation stage will be assessed based on the final dissertation. The dissertation will be assigned 60 credits and, in combination with the taught stage(s), shall be weighted 50% for the purpose of calculating the final mark.

The dissertation, which shall normally be of not more than 20,000 words and supported by such other material as may be considered appropriate to the subject, shall embody the results of your period of project work. 

How will I be supported?

The programme is delivered as distance-learning via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you will find course materials, links to related materials and assessments. Facilities include online discussion tools, including webcam based small group discussions to facilitate tutor and peer support for learners. 

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who you can contact to discuss progress and to obtain advice and guidance as needed. 

Tutors are available to advise you regarding any academic issues. The role of the tutor is not to read or mark assignment drafts, but they are able to communicate with students about any particular topic that they may find challenging. Specific feedback is also given once an assignment has been marked. This makes use of a marking scheme for the particular assignment. You will be welcome to discuss this feedback with a tutor. 

During the MSc dissertation stage, you will also be allocated a Dissertation Project Supervisor who will guide your planning and advise you as you complete your project.

Feedback

Formative feedback will be communicated through electronic and written means in a timely manner.  Summative feedback on assessment will be delivered within the timeframe set by the University. 

What skills will I practise and develop?

By fully engaging in this course, you will have the opportunity to develop a wealth of skills and abilities you can apply to any professional setting. In addition to greater conceptual understanding of current knowledge, issues and methods, you will have the opportunity to practise and develop abilities in critical analysis, in the application of evidence based medicine and in dealing with complex issues systematically and creatively. Your studies should also help you develop your problem-solving and decision-making abilities by enabling you to utilise evidence effectively and communicate important concepts to colleagues and others. Through any research focused elements you will have the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in aspects such as literature review, critical evaluation and knowledge of research principles.

By fully engaging in the taught stages you should be able to:

• Develop a systematic understanding of knowledge, core principles, frameworks in the field of palliative medicine and palliative care promoting well informed clinically efficient practice. 
• Critically appraise current thinking and evidence behind palliative care interventions
• Work more effectively with other professionals and inter-professional team working to enhance the delivery of patient centred palliative care. 
• Develop a comprehensive approach to symptom management in inter-professional palliative care settings. 
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of palliative care in challenging situations in relation to legal and ethical issues, the wider health care team and wider community. 
• Critically assess and develop approaches to managing the last year of life, the last hours of life, death and bereavement.
• Explore ways in which team working and leadership can impact on the delivery of palliative care. 
• Appraise different approaches to measuring, researching and improving the quality of palliative care. 
• Develop proposals for research projects demonstrating a sound understanding of research design, methodology and ethics. 
• Develop proposals for quality improvement projects demonstrating a sound understanding of appropriate design, methodology and ethics.  

In addition to the learning outcomes to be achieved during the taught stages, by fully engaging in the MSc dissertation stage you should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specialised and/or complex area(s) of study, and an ability to relate these to their own professional context. 
• Complete a comprehensive project that demonstrates good practice in research / quality improvement and contributes to the development of the body of knowledge and/or clinical practice in the field.