Self-Directed Learning
Four modules and four focus topics, aim to support learning about palliative care in specific populations and contexts. These resources have been developed by PCC4U Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduate and used for palliative care education. The following videos are designed to accompany written evidence based content and thinking points, however you will find the videos are useful tool on their own. More information about PCC4U and the learning resources can be found at www.pcc4u.org.au .
Reflections on What You Have Learnt
1.What key points have you learnt from the activities in this module that will help you in providing care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families?
2.What specific strategies do you plan to incorporate as a graduate health care professional?
3.Do you see any difficulties using what you’ve learnt here as part of your practice as a health care professional? If so, what strategies might you use to address these difficulties?
**Acknowledgement: All modules and topics have been provided by PCC4U Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates (www.pcc4u.org.au)
Core Modules
This module will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality care, across various health care settings, to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Aims & objectives
You’ll develop an understanding of the social and personal experiences of people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. This module will also cover principles of palliative care.
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- analyse the impact historical trends have on community perceptions about death, dying and bereavement in contemporary society
- recognise how your own values and beliefs about death and dying affect your responses and interactions with people with life-limiting illnesses and their families
- describe the core principles of palliative care.
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on the Principles of Palliative Care, visit the PCC4U website – Module 1: Principles of palliaitve care.
This module will help you develop your skills in communicating with people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Aims & objectives
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- demonstrate the principles of effective communication when interacting with people with life- limiting illnesses and their families
- identify sources of psychological, social and spiritual support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families
- recognise how your own values and beliefs about death and dying affect your personal responses and interactions with people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on communication go to the PCC4U website – Module 2: Communicating with people with life-limiting illnesses.
This module will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to identify the health needs of people with life-limiting illnesses. The resource will also help you develop your understanding of the principles for managing common clinical problems in palliative care.
Aims & objectives
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- describe the epidemiological and clinical features along the illness trajectories of specific life- limiting illnesses
- explain the principles for assessing common symptoms and health problems associated with life-limiting illnesses
- explain the principles for management of common symptoms and health problems associated with life-limiting illnesses.
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on assessment and intervention, go to the PCC4U website – Module 3: Assessing and managing symptoms.
This module will help you develop your understanding of how to provide support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. In particular, it focuses on issues of loss, establishing goals of care, and understanding the effect of caregiving.
Aims & objectives
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- recognise the different responses and emotions of people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families
- discuss strategies for facilitating collaborative decision-making on care goals with people with life-limiting illnesses and their families
- identify interventions that will optimise physical, psychological and social function for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families
- analyse the effect of caregiving on the family networks of people with life-limiting illnesses
- recognise how your own values and beliefs about death and dying affect your responses and interactions with people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on optimising function, visit the PCC4U website – Module 4: Optimising function in palliative care.
Focus Topics Modules
This topic will provide an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills associated with providing culturally appropriate care for people with life-limiting conditions.
Aims & objectives
This focus topic is based on the core principles of palliative care and is designed to supplement the learning activities in Module 1: Principles of palliative care.
After completing this focus topic, you should be able to:
- understand the role of culture in contributing to individual’s experiences of living with a life- limiting condition
- apply principles of culturally centred care when caring for people with life-limiting conditions.
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on culture-centred care, visit the PCC4U website: Topic 4: Culture-centred care of people with life-limiting conditions.
This module will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality care, across various health care settings, to Aboriginal people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Aims & objectives
This module is based on the core principles of palliative care and is designed to supplement the learning activities in Module 1: Principles of palliative care.
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- Identify the practice principles of caring for Aboriginal people with life-limiting illnesses
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on caring for Aboriginal people visit the PCC4U website – Topic 2: Caring for Aboriginal people with life-limiting conditions.
This module will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide care, across various health care settings, to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Aims & objectives
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- discuss the key principles associated with caring for children with life-limiting conditions and their families
- describe the process of assessment and management of children with a life-limiting illness and their families, through an interdisciplinary approach to care
- identify strategies to facilitate coordination of care for children with a life-limiting condition, their families and their communities.
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on caring for children, visit the PCC4U website – Topic 3: Caring for children with life-limiting conditions.
This topic will provide an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills associated with providing culturally appropriate care for people with life-limiting conditions.
Aims & objectives
This focus topic is based on the core principles of palliative care and is designed to supplement the learning activities in Module 1: Principles of palliative care.
After completing this focus topic, you should be able to:
- understand the role of culture in contributing to individual’s experiences of living with a life- limiting condition
- apply principles of culturally centred care when caring for people with life-limiting conditions.
Watch the case study here.
For further learning on culture-centred care, visit the PCC4U website: Topic 4: Culture-centred care of people with life-limiting conditions.