Palliation in Dementia Care (NSN830CPE)

Overview

As a health professional, you will build your contemporary knowledge and skills required to care for people with severe dementia and their families. In particular, we will focus on the highly specialised care needs of people with severe dementia and their families and use innovative learning activities to enhance your evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills in this area. Who should participate

There are two levels of enrolment for this course:

• Professional development level
• Postgraduate level.

Professional development level

This level is open to any individual wishing to undertake professional development in the area of dementia care. You don't need to be eligible for postgraduate study.

Postgraduate level

You may only enrol in this level if you have a formally recognised undergraduate university degree in a health-related discipline. Before choosing to enrol in the postgraduate level of the course, you are reminded that the assessment items for this level of enrolment are designed to meet requirements associated with a postgraduate unit of study.

Delivery

Where:

This course is conducted in a fully external mode over 13 consecutive weeks (i.e., there is no requirement for participants to attend the university over the duration of the course).

External:

• Correspondence

When:

This course will run in Semester 2, 2013 (dates to be confirmed).

Cost

$1,250.00 (AUD incl GST).

The registration fee includes:

• a detailed study guide which includes the four course modules and associated readings
• access to the "Palliation in Dementia Care" online Blackboard site at QUT
• access to a course tutor:
  • (a) via telephone, email, and/or face-to-face meetings by appointment
  • (b) for individually-tailored learning support to assist participants in completing the course modules and assessment items.

For registered nurses only, successful completion of the postgraduate level of this course entitles the student to 10 credit points towards postgraduate units offered by the School of Nursing at QUT.

Contact

For further information regarding course content or assessment, please contact Susan Austin.

For registration or payments queries, please contact Office of Continuing Professional Education.

Details

Each of the 4 modules focuses on a specific area of learning and the associated reading and extracts are essential for that module. You should also complete readings from additional sources.

• Module 1: Contextualising dementia
• Module 2: The trajectory of severe dementia
• Module 3: Promoting the physical care and quality of life for the person with severe dementia
• Module 4: Promoting a positive culture of care

Successful completion of this course will enable the participant to:

• differentiate between a palliative approach and terminal care for those with severe dementia.
• describe the clinical features and common physical care problems associated with severe dementia
• describe the role of interdisciplinary team members in caring for individuals with severe dementia
• demonstrate a critical understanding of strategies to facilitate communication with families about the trajectory of severe dementia
• integrate evidence-based practice and ethico-legal principles when conceptualising and analysing problems associated with the care of people with severe dementia
• reflect critically on learning with respect to individuals with severe dementia and their families.

How is the course assessed?

Each of the two levels has three assessment items to be completed and submitted, as outlined below.

Important: You must submit and pass all assessment items to receive a grade and QUT-endorsed Certificate of Completion for this course. Detailed instructions on how to complete all assessment items will be provided as part of the course materials posted to all participants. A course tutor will be assigned to assist all participants to successfully complete each assessment item. You're strongly encouraged to keep in regular contact with their course tutor (via telephone and/or email) over the duration of the course.

Professional development level

Key concepts short answer assignment

Prepare short answer written responses to a set of questions about key concepts covered in Module 1 (Word length = maximum of 850 words; weighting towards final mark = 30%).

Detailed descriptive case study assignment

Prepare a detailed case study illustrating a palliative approach for a person with dementia (Word length = maximum 2,000 words; weighting towards final mark = 50%).

Online discussion forum participation

Write four entries in responses to four discussion forum activities (i.e. one per course module) (word length = approx. 150 words per entry; weighting towards final mark = 20%).

Postgraduate level

Critical review assignment

Critically review and analyse a research-based article about a key theme within one of the course modules (word length = maximum 2,000 words; weighting towards final mark = 30%).

Workplace resource assignment

Develop and prepare an original workplace resource to support a palliative approach for people with dementia (word length = maximum 2,500 words; weighting towards final mark = 50%)

Online discussion forum participation

Write four entries in responses to four discussion forum activities (i.e. one per course module) (word length = approx. 150 words per entry; weighting towards final mark = 20%.

Recognition of this course

Participants who successfully complete the four modules and pass all assessment items will receive a QUT-endorsed Certificate of Completion.

The content, structure and materials for this course have been designed by dementia education specialists at the Queensland Dementia Training Study Centre (QLD DTSC). The QLD DTSC is based at QUT. Course participants will enrol via the QUT Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program and will be taught by staff from the QLD DTSC.

Registration info

Registration closes two weeks before each course commencement date, unless sold out.

Payment

When you register for the course, you will create an account with us. You'll need to pay your fees online by credit or debit card.

You will be able to access your account, including your invoice, using your email address and password.

FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP are not available for Continuing Professional Education courses.

Cancellation

To cancel your registration, you must apply in writing to the Course Manager at the Office of Continuing Professional Education.

If you withdraw before the start date of a course, your tuition fees will be refunded less $100. If you have not paid your tuition fee by the start date of the course, your registration will be cancelled and you will be required to pay $100 of the tuition fee.

We reserve the right to cancel the course under certain circumstances, such as low registration numbers. If this happens, we will advise you as soon as possible, and give you a full refund. We are not responsible for any expenses you may have incurred if the course is cancelled.