Introduction to Palliative Care

Code:

MCP_01

Acronym:

ICP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

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	38	Current Studies Plan	1	-	5	45	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The essential aim of the Curricular Unit Introduction to Palliative Care is that the student acquires the necessary knowledge in Palliative Care, especially in what concerns the foundation of this practice and its relation with the healthcare professions. In the plan of the concepts the aims are the acquisition and knowledge of the more representative theories in this area so that a humanist and proficient practice can be developed.

Learning outcomes and competences

With this curricular unit the student must gather the necessary skills for a responsible exercise of Palliative Care. The student must be adequately informed about the basic precepts of Palliative Care so that this practice is in accordance with the international recognised norms, principles and guidelines existing in this area.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- Presentation of the Master Course on Palliative Care. The importance of training for an appropriate clinical performance.

2- Palliative Care in Portugal and in other countries. History, philosophy, conceptualization, objectives and difficulties. The Hospice Movement at the United Kingdom.

3- The seminal role of Dame Cicely Saunders. The St Christopher’s Hospice, founded on the principles of combining teaching and clinical research, expert pain and symptom relief with holistic care to meet the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of its patients and those of their family and friends.

4- Palliative Care as a new perspective of health and disease. The ethics of care and its role in Palliative Care.

5- The Palliative Care in the interface with specific diseases:  

• Cancer
• Chronic respiratory diseases
• Cardiac diseases
• HIV/AIDS infection
• Chronic degenerative neurological diseases
• Chronic renal failure

6- Palliative Care as an interdisciplinary endeavour.

Mandatory literature

Nunes, R., Rego, F., Rego, G.; Enciclopédia Luso-brasileira de Cuidados Paliativos, Almedina: Coimbra, 2018
Barbosa, A., & Neto, I.G. ; Manual de Cuidados Paliativos. , Lisboa: Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 2006
Addington-Hall, J.M., & Higginson, I.J. ; Palliative Care for Non-cancer Patients , New York: Oxford University Press , 2001
Doyle, D. ; Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine (3º edição), New York: Oxford University Press, 2004

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 (%)
Participação presencial	50,00
Trabalho escrito	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 teaching methodologies adopted are in accordance with the international guidelines in the area of palliative care. In this way coherence with the curricular unit’s intended learning outcomes is guaranteed since these methodologies are deemed essential for any student to acquire the competence and skills necessary for an adequate capacitation in this area.

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%).