Year
2017
Units
4.5
Contact
4 x 1-hour tutorials per semester
1 x 9-hour independent study weekly
6 x 2-hour on-line exercises per semester
2 x 1-hour on-line lectures per semester
Prerequisites
^ = may be enrolled concurrently
^ PALL8432 - Introduction to the Study of Palliative Care
Assumed knowledge
Familiarity in the use of literature and accessing relevant data bases including OVID Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and others appropriate to this area of study.
Assessment
Assignments; Online Participation
Topic description
This topic is designed to develop student's knowledge in the area of cancer; its biology together with cancer information needs of patients, their families and those health care professionals who care for them. The topic will provide students with foundational knowledge in these areas that will then allow them to explore oncology for palliative care with greater depth and understanding.
Educational aims
The overall aim of this topic is to provide students with the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge in the area of cancer and its biology. In addition, the topic aims to explore the differing information needs of the person with cancer, their family and those involved in their care.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of this topic, students will be expected to be able to:

  • Describe in lay terms normal and abnormal cell replication and the mechanisms that control this process

  • Identify several premalignant conditions and the principles of screening in these conditions

  • Describe the factors that pre-dispose a person to cancer

  • Describe the process of, and rationale for, cancer staging and the relationship of stages to prognoses

  • Identify the cellular changes that define malignancy and describe the mechanisms of and preferred sites for metastatic spread

  • Apply the biology of cancer to frequently encountered clinical presentations

  • Compare and contrast several strategies focused at providing relevant information of cancer to better support the emotional, social and spiritual needs for the person with cancer, their family and their carers.