You may be able to study these modules at Level 6 (BSc level) or Level 7 (Masters level) depending on your academic circumstances. Please contact the CPD Team or the Module Leader for advice if you are unsure which level would be best for you.

This 20 credit module, Communication Skills in Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, available at level 6 (UZTR3X-20-3) or level 7 (UZTR7R-20-M), aims to develop your knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to communicate sensitively, effectively and in a purposeful manner with individuals and those close to them in the context of supportive and end of life care.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychosocial responses to acute and life limiting illness.

• demonstrate understanding of communication skills and approaches, with application to achieve best practice.

• critically analyse communication skills and support mechanisms used in supporting individuals experiencing loss, change and psychosocial issues.

• critically evaluate evidence which informs learning regarding own communication processes.

• appraise and reflect upon own communication skills and the potential influence of such skills when supporting patient and family centred care in a range of complex situations.

• identify key communication skills, qualities and attributes that are significant in making an effective response to individual's needs.

Careers / Further study

This module can contribute towards the PGCert Health and Social Care, PGCert Critical Care, MSc Clinical Practice, and the Professional Development Awards. If you have any queries, please contact the Professional Development team (pd@uwe.ac.uk).

The level 6 (undergraduate level) module can contribute towards:

• BSc(Hons) Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• BSc(Hons) Health and Social Care
• MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• MSc Advanced Practice
• Masters Apprenticeship - Advanced Clinical Practice
• Professional Development Award

The level 7 (Masters level) module can contribute towards:

• MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• MSc Advanced Practice
• Masters Apprenticeship - Advanced Clinical Practice
• Professional Development Awards

Please note: Priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts.  Places on this module will be limited for applications received outside of this funding.  Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may still be available to support your learning.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

Content

The module syllabus typically covers:

• Overview of communication processes and theory, with practical application of communication skills - active listening, reflecting, paraphrasing, summarising and probing.

• Psychosocial responses to acute and long term life threatening conditions including cultural perspectives

• Approaches to support individuals experiencing emotions including anger and sadness

• Barriers to listening, to include physical, professional, and personal perspectives

• Recognition and assessment of information needs of those with life threatening conditions, their families and carers

• Frameworks for sharing of significant and bad news

• Communication skills within the context of multidisciplinary and inter-professional working

• Ethical and professional Issues to include: boundary setting, consent and confidentiality, models for reflection and critical analysis of practice, and consideration of support/supervision.

Assessment

Critical analysis of a transcribed practice conversation which is submitted with a 1500 word critical reflection.

Formative feedback will be given by facilitators throughout the module and there will be opportunity for peer led discussion of assignment planning. A dedicated assignment support session is included in the module timetable.

If you are interested in taking this module as non-assessed, please get in touch at pd@uwe.ac.uk. There may be a reduction in fee in this case depending on the module; the team can confirm this with you. Please be aware this means you would receive no evidence of completion of any kind (no certificate, credit or “confirmation of attendance). Often, employers do not want to sponsor individuals to take a module as non-assessed as you would receive no accreditation.

When you apply for the module, you may need to select the full fee, but if you let us know you would like to take this as non-assessed, we will ensure that the correct fee is raised.