General provisions

The course consists of theoretical studies and is included in the specialist nursing programme with focus on oncology care 60 credits.

Entry requirements

Admitted to the Specialist nursing programme with focus on oncology care.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student will be able to

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate advanced knowledge of psychological reactions in connection with cancer disease and treatment and different psychosocial interventions to patients with cancer disease and their families/close relations
• demonstrate advanced knowledge of ethical theories and analyse and reflect on how these theories can be adapted to the nursing in cancer care
• demonstrate advanced knowledge of crisis theories and nursing theories in cancer care such as the coping theory, and the theory of salutogenesis, and in addition the concepts of life values, quality of life and response shift
• demonstrate advanced knowledge about the families/close relations' situation in case of cancer disease
• describe at a general level rehabilitation of patients with cancer and how cancer disease affects the elderly patient
• demonstrate a deeper knowledge of the families/close relations' situation when they are children and adolescents
• reflect on how values related to age, gender and sexual disposition may influence the nursing and relate to the specialist nurse's responsibility to prevent discrimination
• describe and specify methods and strategies for psychosocial support and information to cancer patient and family
• demonstrate advanced knowledge about interview technique

Skills and ability

• identify and analyse prerequisites for information and appropriate communication with patients and families/close relations who have different socio-cultural background
• apply strategies for analysis and problem-solving in connection with own studies and group work
• independently carry out an interview with a family member/close relation to a cancer ill patient
• independently analyse the interview with family/close relations regarding application of crisis theory, coping theory and the SOC-theory and the family/close relations' need of support from the health care

Judgement and approach

• identify ethical issues in relation to information and communication
• reflect upon and evaluate critically various complementary treatment methods
• reflect upon empathic treatment and professional approach in psychosocial interventions to patients with cancer disease and their families/close relations

Content

Various psychosocial theories applicable within cancer care

Information to patients with cancer disease and their families/close relations

Rehabilitation in cancer disease

The family/close relations' situation

Support to family/close relations

Children and adolescents as relatives

Cancer in elderly patients

Interview technique

Ethical issues in relation to communication and information

Complementary treatment methods

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, literature studies and supervision at report writing. Web-based teaching and discussion forums. Learning aassignments with focus on clinical activities

COMPULSORY PARTS

Introduction to course, scheduled group meetings, seminars, study assignments with written and oral presentation.

Assessment

Examination of the objectives of the course is continuous throughout the course in the form of oral and written assignments - the examinations individually and in groups. At examination in groups the student shall participate actively with knowledge and reflection.

Passing the course requires:

• passed report
• passed active participation in the examination seminar
• passed active participation in compulsory parts

Other directives

A student who has failed examination may retake the examinations four times. (= total five examinations). After five failed examinations, the student may lose his guaranteed place in the education. The undergraduate education committee however may, if special circumstances apply, admit the right to additional examination. Every time the student participates in an examination counts. Submission of so called "blank" exam is counted as examination. In accordance with chapter 6, sections 21-22 in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) the student has the right on request to change examiner after two failed examinations.