Practical Palliative Care for Doctors in Training

As the award is predominately delivered via distance learning it allows you to study in your own environment, you are allocated to a mentor who is a palliative medicine consultant and provides guidance and support throughout the award. You attend five clinical sessions allowing you to work with palliative care teams in the hospital and community. This gives you an understanding of common problems and how these are managed, and how different teams in different settings collaborate.

You study topics relevant to palliative care such as:

• an introduction to palliative care
• communication skills and strategies for breaking bad news
• the holistic nature of palliative care
• management of pain and other symptoms
• management of the last few days of life
• practical use of syringe drivers
• palliative care in specific conditions
• ethical decision making
• bereavement

The award is delivered through a blending approach with Blackboard Ultra including tutorial support, there is also a five session clinical placement. You attend an induction evening in early September then a series of ten weekly topics are delivered electronically on Blackboard, these include short formative assignments.

You complete a critical reflective diary during the clinical attachment and assessment is a 3,000 word case study reflecting on the management and care of a patient to illustrate your learning in practice and use of palliative care theory.

Community college diploma with 65% minimum

Or, holders of a a Tawjihi 65%+ average plus a recognised foundation programme

Or, holders of the International Baccalaureate Diploma with 27 points or more will be considered for direct admission to Bachelor degree courses

Undergraduate applicants can apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You will find advice and step-by-step guidance about their online application process on the UCAS website.