Unit information: C3 Symptom Control in 2008/09

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Unit name C3 Symptom Control
Unit code MEDIM3003
Credit points 15
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Emeritus Professor. Forbes
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Health Sciences Faculty Office
Faculty Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The module will be offered as a combination of distance learning and seminars held over two and a half days. Areas to be covered will include: (i) incidence and prevalence of symptoms other than pain and (ii) pathophysiology, assessment and management of gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, neurological symptoms, skin problems and genito-urinary and gynaecological symptoms.

Aims:

The aim of the module is to revise and develop students’ understanding of the incidence and pathogenesis of the physical symptoms patients with advanced disease present and to review the evidence for their management.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Having completed this module students will be able to:

  • discuss the incidence of symptoms other than pain in advanced disease
  • discuss the pathophysiology, assessment and management of the common symptoms presenting in advanced disease, both malignant and non-malignant
  • review the evidence for current management of the common symptoms presenting in advanced disease, both malignant and non-malignant.

Teaching Information

2 ½ study days

Lecture format Discussion groups Tutorials/clinical problem solving exercises around students’ case histories.

Assessment Information

Three short notes - student generated titles (1000 words each).

Reading and References

Hanks GW, Cherny NI, Christakis NA, Fallon M, Kaasa S, Portenoy RK. Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.

Fallon M, Hanks GW (Eds) ABC of Palliative Care. British Medical Journal Books. Oxford: Blackwell Medical Publishers, 2006.

Twycross R, Wilcock A, Stark-Toller C. Symptom Management in Advanced Cancer 4th edition. Free access from www.palliativedrugs.com

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