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Cancer Care in Young People (PAED90026)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Increasingly successful treatments and improved survival rates for adolescents and young adults with cancer have led to the need for better management of the many complex issues arising out the experience of cancer for this group. A better appreciation and understanding of the psycho-social dimension of a young person’s life and cancer experience has emerged, and with this the need for new skills and approaches to care.
This subject identifies and addresses these issues, including: the impact of cancer on adolescent development, including sexual and identity development; dealing with ethical issues around consent and confidentiality; reactions to survivorship; the management of palliative care and spiritual needs; understanding the family context of treatment; liaising with schools and universities; and negotiating the interface between paediatric and adult cancer services.
This subject takes a holistic approach to these issues, drawing from different multidisciplinary perspectives and insights.
It will be of interest to a range of professionals engaged in the care and support of adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Recognise the impact that a young person's developmental maturity has on their capacity to understand and process their experience of cancer
- Evaluate the ethical issues regarding consent and confidentiality, especially in relation to treatment and non-adherent behaviour
- Analyse the family system surrounding the young person, and the impact of cancer on other family members, especially siblings
- Appreciate the importance of the treatment environment and experience, and patient/practitioner relationships on young peoples cancer outcomes
- Critique the systemic and other issues at the interface between paediatric and adult cancer services, and develop strategies to promote better transition from one to the other
- Recognise specific features of adolescent and young adult cancer epidemiology
- Appraise the impact of cancer on adolescent physical and psychosocial development; their sexual and identity development in particular
- Explore issues related to palliative care, spirituality and the search for meaning
Generic skills
- Development and application of the key skills, attributes and professional capabilities needed to work with young people, families, communities and other professionals;
- Integration of critically reflective, evidence-based approaches to ensure high-quality patient care;
- Cross-disciplinary learning, solution generation and professional networking in the development of innovative clinical and program responses.
Last updated: 10 September 2024