Therapeutics in Palliative Care

Code:

MCP_06

Acronym:

TCP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2019/2020 - 1S (of 09-09-2019 to 09-02-2020)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree Course in Palliative Care

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCP	35	Palliative Care_09	1	-	5	45	135
		Current Studies Plan	1	-	5	45	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The essential aim of the Curricular Unit of Therapeutics in Palliative Care  is that the student acquires the necessary knowledge in pharmacology and therapeutics namely in Palliative Care. Especially in what concerns the scientific foundation and medical evidence of pharmacology. In the plan of the concepts the aims are the acquisition and knowledge of the core concepts in these areas and in the different types of intervention in Palliative Care.

Learning outcomes and competences

With this curricular unit the student must gather the necessary skills for understanding the complexity and implications of pharmacology and therapeutics on human beings, namely in Palliative Care. The student must be adequately informed about the basic precepts of the side effects of medication and the existent mechanisms to control this phenomenon and reduce its impact.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- The Curricular Unit of Therapeutics in Palliative Care includes the presentation of concepts related to the treatment of patients in the context of palliative care.

2- Pain. Therapeutics of pain.

3- Therapeutics of depression, anxiety, delirium and other psychological symptoms in patients under palliative care.

4 - Therapeutics in oncologic patients under palliative care.

5 - Therapeutics in heart failure, respiratory and renal conditions in patients under palliative care. 

6 - Nutritional therapy. Analysis of questions involving nutrition of patients under palliative care.

7- Nausea and vomiting. Therapy of nausea and vomiting in patients under palliative care, with a focus on major drugs and therapeutic principles.

8- Dehydration. Analysis of dehydration in patients under palliative care.

9- Dyspnoea. Therapeutics of dyspnoea in patients under palliative care, taking into consideration the variety of causes for this type of symptom.

Mandatory literature

Brunton, L., Parker, K., Lazo, J., Buxton, I., & Blumenthal, D.; Goodman and Gilman – The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (11th edition)., New York: Mc Graw Hill, 2005
Nunes, R., Rego, F., Rego, G.; Enciclopédia Luso-brasileira de Cuidados Paliativos, Almedina: Coimbra, 2018
Bruera, E.m & Dev, R.; Overview of Symptom Control in the Terminally Ill Cancer Patients, 2008
Kuebler, K.K., & Heidrich, D.E.; Palliative & End-of-Life Care – Clinical Practice Guidelines (2nd edition), Amsterdam: Peg Espers Saunders Elsevier. , 2007
Dickman, A. ; Drugs in Palliative Care (2nd edition). , New York: Oxford University Press, 2012

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies have different strategies: a) Theoretical Lectures: about different themes related to the Curricular Unit; b) Seminars: Prepared and guided discussion of specific themes, defined in advance, with the participation of professors and students; c) Group Work: Pedagogical activity of analysis and problem solving, orientated by the professors and actively prepared by the students; and d) Presentation of Case-Problems by the students.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	45,00
Trabalho escrito	90,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

The Continuous Assessment is performed by the responsible professor for the group of students who attend the Curricular Unit. An assessment of the whole pedagogical process and of the evolution of each student's capacities is at stake: Evolution in the communication skills, evolution of the human relation, of the regular attendance in the Curricular Unit, of the interest and participation in the pedagogic process, and, finally, of the theoretical and practical knowledge. It is possible to make use of audio-visual techniques.

Calculation formula of final grade

The Final Assessment of the curricular unit is made by the Continuous Assessment (50%) and a Final Examination that evaluates the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge (50%).