Unit Outline

This unit is designed to present an integrative approach to identifying and managing the symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment throughout the disease continuum. The palliative care component will concentrate on holistic aspects related to physical, psychological and spiritual issues that impact upon the lives of the person/family with cancer. Students will use a health promoting and patient education framework to assess, plan and implement appropriate strategies to promote positive attitudes to living with cancer.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Demonstrate increased knowledge and management of common symptoms and side effects associated with cancers and their treatments and apply understanding of the time sequence of treatment side effects.
2	Develop and implement strategies for cancer patients to cope and live with their cancer
3	Apply advanced holistic health promoting and patient education skills to the oncology patient, including evidence based approached to cancer nursing care.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Discussion and essay	Week 5	50 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Case Study	Week 12	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Discussion and essay

Task Description:

Using the key themes from module one you will further explore the effects of one of the following:
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy or targeted therapies
• Haemopoietic transplantation
• Other complications of cancer and its therapies
Part 1A:
Identify one (1) side effect or symptom related to the cancer treatment of your choice that you have encountered when caring for a patient.
Enter the discussion board and reflect on the situation you have identified.

Part 1B:
Write an essay on your exploration of the literature which demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of your chosen topic.

Due Date:
Part 1A - Week 5
Part 1B - Week 6

Task Length:

1500 - 2000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Enters the discussion board, clearly identifies the symptom or actual/potential side effect.	LO1, LO2
2	Reflects on the episode of care and engages and responds to other students discussion topics	LO1, LO2
3	One (1) discussion board interaction is attached as an appendices to the essay for assessment.	LO1, LO2
4	Demonstrates a clear understanding of the symptom or side-effect and associated aetiology, pathophysiology, pathology.	LO1, LO2
5	Evidence of scholarly literature related to the topic. A broad literature search identifies current best clinical practice related to the symptom or side effect.	LO1, LO2
6	The literature is analysed and discussed. Assessment tools are identified if appropriate and critical analysis of relevance applied.	LO1, LO2
7	Integrates evidenced based literature throughout the paper to support discussion.	LO1, LO2
8	Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA style.	LO1, LO2
9	Provides an introduction, discussion and a sound conclusion	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Case Study

Task Description:

Conduct a patient triage/assessment on a patient you have cared for recently.
Using the assessment tool provided, complete an Assessment Log Sheet for your patient.
Based on the patient chosen for your assessment prepare a case study.

Task Length:

2500 - 3000 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Accurately completes all sections of the Triage Assessment Log Sheet for the patient Attach as an appendix	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Defines patient status including demographics, patient medical history, current diagnosis, condition of patient and treatment.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Nursing assessment included own analysis and understanding of any diagnostic tests used to confirm condition (i.e. blood tests)	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Identifies side effects and symptoms related to the disease process or treatment	LO1, LO2, LO3
5	Provides and justifies rationale for toxicity grading assessment	LO1, LO2, LO3
6	Justifies any clinical and pharmacological management, supportive therapies including Multidisciplinary team decision making policies and procedures and/or clinical guidelines or EVIQ.	LO1, LO2, LO3
7	Describes key nursing interventions, planning of care, assessment tools and nursing management of the problem (copy of assessment tool or care plan used can be included as an appendix).	LO1, LO2, LO3
8	Education and health promotion strategies are evident	LO1, LO2, LO3
9	Integrates evidenced based literature throughout the paper to support discussion.	LO3
10	Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA style.	LO1

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.