Enhancing end of life care and palliative care practice (degree and masters level) (HEAD344 / APP729)

Enhance your skills in caring for those living and dying with a life-limiting condition
CPD for healthcare professionals
Female doctor, elderly woman patient in nursing home. Digital tablet

Which End of Life (EOL) care module should I choose?

We offer a variety of EOL modules and it's important that you select the right one for you. To help guide you in this process we have compiled a short guide below. 
Community care - image courtesy of Shutterstock

Key features

This 20 credit module, which can be taken at degree or masters level, enables you to develop a critical and reflective approach to caring for those living and dying with a life-limiting condition, promoting quality, dignity and choice in end of life care and palliative care services. 
You will learn to demonstrate enhanced levels of enquiry and critical appraisal of end of life and palliative care practice. 
This module is appropriate for all health and social care practitioners in a variety of settings. It focuses on the core skills, knowledge and competencies required to support those who are at end of life care or have a life-limiting illness. 
National frameworks and the legal, ethical and professional issues are also explored.
The importance of providing coordinated care by working with multi-professional/multi-agency teams, in partnership with patients and their family/carers is also addressed.
You will have the opportunity to engage in a number of different learning perspectives by participating in problem-based learning in small groups, lead lectures and e-learning.
The module is delivered by St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth in partnership with the University of Plymouth.
Module code

HEAD344/APP729

Credits

20

FHEQ level

Level 6 – bachelors degree
Level 7 – masters degree

Location

Online delivery

Community care worker joins an an elderly woman for a cup of tea while sitting at her kitchen table.

HEAD344 course details (degree level)

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
  • critically evaluate the delivery of end of life care in your area of practice with reference to the evidence base, relevant quality markers, multi-professional working and ethical boundaries
  • demonstrate critical analysis of evidence base, end of life frameworks, polices and guidance
  • produce evidence of synthesis and effective review of end of life care in your area of practice
  • produce evidence which demonstrates competence in key areas of end of life care in accordance with the role.
Assessment
The assessment for this module is an essay.
(Please note that the assessment details are provisional – if you require further information please contact the module lead or the Professional Development Unit).

APP729 course details (masters level)

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
  • exercise initiative and responsibility for identifying your own learning needs
  • demonstrate deep and systematic understanding of relevant literature and current evidence base
  • articulate a current issue in palliative care and employ critical analysis of the surrounding evidence, providing a detailed summary of key perspectives
  • critically examine how service provision may be altered/enhanced to benefit patient experience.
Assessment
The assessment for this module is a written assignment.
(Please note that the assessment details are provisional – if you require further information please contact the module lead or the Professional Development Unit.)

Module dates

Module dates are to be confirmed. 
The university is following government guidelines on COVID 19 and there is a possibility that some modules may require online delivery. We will keep you informed of any decisions regarding this. 
Occasionally delivery dates might be subject to change, always check with the module lead or Professional Development Unit.
Please be aware that all modules run to minimum numbers. In the event that there are low numbers, this module may be rescheduled to an alternative date. Some modules are also subject to maximum numbers.

What programmes can these modules count towards?

The degree-level module can be studied as a standalone module, as a core module for our BSc (Hons) Professional Development in End of Life Care or as an optional module towards some other BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Health and Social Care pathways.
The masters-level module can be studied as a standalone module or as an optional module towards some MSc Advanced Professional Practice pathways  pathways.
For further information please contact the Professional Development Unit.

Admissions information 

Additional information and documentation required for the application process.
  • Application forms. 
  • Change of name forms.
  • Pre-course information.
  • Downloadable guides.
  • Student card.
 
Admissions information Additional information and documentation required for the application process.Access to application forms, download guides and confirmation information. Visit our admissions homepage.

Our students say...

  • A“Mixing with a vast range of other healthcare professionals allowed many different views and enhanced my knowledge of palliative practice outside my clinical area.”

  • A“A large number of different speakers that were all so knowledgeable and able to answer questions and provoke discussions. Felt very well supported by them.”

Senior couple being served meal by carer - Getty images

HEAD344 module lead – Liz Lawley

"This exciting module brings hospice educators and clinicians together in partnership with University of Plymouth to enable you to develop your end of life care competency. We hope that you will enjoy your studies and that after successful completion you will be able to make a significant contribution to the delivery of general palliative and end of life care and to your own professional development."

Entry requirements

To be considered for a place on the module:
  • you need to be a registered health and social care professional working in clinical practice
  • to study the module at degree level you must have previously studied at level 5 (i.e. Foundation degree or equivalent)
  • to study the module at masters level you must have previously studied to graduate level.

Further information

For further information on module dates, entry requirements, fees and funding and how to apply please contact the relevant education coordinator for the organisation where you wish to undertake the module, see below contact details:
education@stlukes-hospice.org.uk