Introduction

The School of Medicine, University College Cork, in partnership with St.Patrick’s Hospital (Cork) Ltd. which includes Marymount Hospice offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care as an interdisciplinary programme. The Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care is a taught programme taken on a part time basis over a minimum of two and a maximum of four academic years from the date of first registration to the programme. This programme is designed to increase the knowledge, attitudes and skills of healthcare professionals working with palliative care, oncology and long term chronically ill patients.

Aim of the programme

The programme aims to:

1. augment the knowledge, skills and attitudes of healthcare professionals in the area of palliative care
2. facilitate healthcare professionals to practice as reflective, innovative change agents in palliative care
3. develop the skills to critically analyse, undertake and apply research findings to the provision of a holistic quality care experience for palliative patients and families
4. enhance the professional and personal development of healthcare professionals in palliative care

Entry Requirements

The Postgraduate Diploma is offered to healthcare professionals working with palliative care, oncology and long term chronically ill patients.

• Applicants must have a primary degree at upper second class honours level or an equivalent qualification, and experience in a relevant healthcare discipline to be approved by the College of Medicine & Health.
• Active registration or eligibility for registration with the appropriate professional healthcare registration body in Ireland.
• A minimum of three years post qualification experience in healthcare, which should include a minimum of one year’s employment in the provision of care to palliative, oncology or chronically ill patients.
• Applicants must be employed in providing palliative care as part of their clinical role and continue to be so employed for the duration of the programme.
• Applicants with relevant experience in palliative care may be accepted with a lower class degree or applicants with palliative care experience who do not meet the normal academic requirements will also be considered.

Candidates meeting the entry requirements may be short listed for interview and will have to satisfy an interview board.

Acceptance of a candidate into the programme is subject to Garda/Police clearance.

Programme content

The interdisciplinary programme consists of both theoretical and professional practice components. Students undertake four modules in year one of the programme and four modules in year two.

Modules

IP6001 Philosophy, Development & Governance in Palliative Care (10 credits)
IP6002 Pain in Palliative Care (10 credits)
IP6003 Symptoms in Palliative Care (10 credits)
IP6004 End of Life Care, Grief & Bereavement (10 credits)
IP6005 Clinical Practicum in Palliative Care (5 credits)
IP6006 The Psychosocial and Spiritual aspects of Palliative Care (5 credits)
NU5070 Therapeutic Communication Skills for Palliative Care (5 credits)
EH6014 Research Methods in Palliative Care (5 credits)

Students may choose one other relevant 10-credit module from elsewhere in a UCC programme, which may be substituted in lieu of one of the above 10 credit modules. This module must be equivalent in level and credit rating and be agreed with the programme director

Delivery of the programme

Lectures will be held in Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, UCC and in the Education Centre, St. Patrick’s Hospital (Cork) Ltd. Some sessions may also be given via teleconferencing / web conferencing. Professional Clinical PracticumClinical palliative practice is an essential component of this programme. The student will undertake clinical practicum at their place of work and in addition must also undertake a supernumerary clinical specialist palliative care placement in each year of the programme. The clinical practicum will be based on identified student need.

Awards Postgraduate Diploma

On successful completion of the programme students who reach the required standard will be awarded a National University of Ireland Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care.

Postgraduate Certificate

Students successfully completing and passing 30 credits may opt to exit the programme. They will be eligible to be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care.

Continuing Professional Development (Single module option)

An individual module may be taken as part of continuing professional development and students will be provided with a relevant transcript of marks.

For further Information on the programme contact:

edcentre@stpatricksmarymount.ie

Disclaimer: The details contained in this information leaflet are for guidance of students only. While every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate at the date of printing, no guarantee is given that the syllabus may not be amended at any time.