ONC8030 : Psychosocial Issues in Advanced Disease (E-learning)
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Victoria Hewitt
- Lecturer: Ms Lucy Hewitt
- Owning School: Pharmacy
- Teaching Location: Off Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The overall aim of the module is to explore some of the psychological, social and organisational factors that influence the responses to and the management and outcomes of advanced disease cancer. This module will consider the theoretical basis of these issues and explore them these factors from the perspectives of the patient, their family or carers and the health professionals involved in their care. These are core competencies for practitioners in the fields of palliative care and oncology.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover the following topics:
• Theoretical basis of psychosocial development Loss threat and adjustment
• Communication
• Sharing bad news
• Family and social networks
• Assessing psychological needs
• Self-image, body image and sexuality
• Living with and beyond a diagnosis of advanced disease
• Understanding and managing responses to grief
• Therapeutic interventions
• Professional support, self-care and supervision
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 16:00 | 32:00 | Independent assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 12 | 3:30 | 42:00 | Online content |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 12 | 3:30 | 42:00 | Reflective accounts |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 12 | 3:30 | 42:00 | Supplemental reading and practice-based investigation |
| Guided Independent Study | Online Discussion | 12 | 3:30 | 42:00 | Via discussion board and private journal (3-4 per week) |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The design of the on-line materials and tutorials encourages practitioners to explore and deepen their understanding of psycho-social aspects of cancer care, including grief, loss and bereavement. On-line asynchronous discussion will focus on issues raised through reading and reflection. The outcomes of these discussions allows online networking, peer-to-peer support and facilitates vicarious learning through sharing of best practice. Moderation of discussions by the module leader provides a safe space for sharing of sensitive material.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 60 | 2,000 word |
| Reflective log | 1 | M | 40 | 4 reflective activities undertaken throughout the module (500 words max per reflection) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 1 | M | 1,000 words maximum |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The summative assessment is in two parts: a 2000 word essay and 4 reflective accounts. This assessment rationale allows students to demonstrate their development of relevant skills and understanding from the topics covered in the module.
In the essay, students have a choice of topics, each of which require students to critically apply relevant research and theory to clinical practice and service provision. In the reflective account, students will provide a series of individual reflections of their development of relevant skills and understanding from the topics covered in the module.
Should a student fail the module overall they must submit a 2,000 word reflective account of their learning gained from studying this module and how they intend to apply this learning to their practice and/ or service provision.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ONC8030's Timetable