Introduction

From the point of diagnosis onwards; this module aims to explore the needs of cancer patients and the ways in which they might be supported, to experience as good a quality of life as possible, as they live with or beyond their cancer and its treatment. Personalised care, and the importance of being able to address individual needs, in a multi-disciplinary and collaborative context, is promoted.

Who the course is aimed at

This module is relevant to Health Care Professionals, and other individuals, working with those affected by cancer; such as Nurses, Therapeutic Radiographers, Doctors, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.

Benefits of taking the course to the individual, the organisation and the patient

Through the delivery of core learning materials/resources, and your own self-directed research, the module aims to enable a critical evaluation of practices aimed at improving the personalised care and survivorship experience of those affected by cancer. You will be encouraged to explore this in terms of both the services provided within your local practice, and also your own role/practice and how you may develop this further. You will be encouraged to develop ideas and create work that can be shared with others as a means of promoting best practice in this field.

What you learn

By the end of the module you will be able to:

Discuss the multi-dimensional impact and lifelong consequences of cancer and its treatment, and the importance of personalised care.

Critically assess the benefits of preparing patients for the consequences of cancer treatment and their role in self-managing these; and assess how professional services or individual practitioners can support and enable effective self-care.

Critically evaluate relevant approaches in the assessment and management of late/long term effects of cancer and its treatment, which may include specialist intervention(s).

Justify the value of multi-disciplinary/multi-agency, collaborative working in the provision of person-centred survivorship care, across all stages of their patient pathway.

General areas covered

Principles of survivorship care and personalised care; Patient preparation; Physical and psychosocial impact; Prehabilitation; Supporting self-management; Managing late effects; Holistic needs assessment; Advanced communication; Specialist roles and interventions; Multi-disciplinary collaboration and setting up services; Cancer site specific examples.

Skills gained for the workplace, technical skills or academic skills

Evidence based practice

Reflective practice

Critical appraisal and analysis

Application of specialist knowledge

Dissemination and education of others

Unique or interesting features

You will have regular online opportunities to discuss and share practice and ideas with others on the module and gain feedback from your tutor. The module will also include input from specialists in this field, including the patient voice.

To study this distance learning module you will require access to a computer with:

A reliable internet connection

Microsoft or Apple Mac Supported Office Software

The current version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox

Fees and Funding for 2024/25

Further details

For further information please contact the module leader Catherine Holborn - c.holborn@shu.ac.uk