The course aims to provide students with knowledge and practical skills in nursing care for oncological and non-oncological patients requiring palliative care. It will explore aspects related to managing the needs of patients and their families at various stages of illness, developing effective care interventions, and managing pharmacological and palliative therapies.
At the end of the course, in accordance with the Dublin Descriptors, to pass the final examination, the student must demonstrate the following:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
By the end of the course, students will have acquired an understanding of the diagnostic, therapeutic, and care pathways related to major oncological and non-oncological conditions requiring palliative care. They will be able to manage chemotherapeutic drugs and those used in palliative care, having assimilated knowledge of their characteristics and methods of use. Additionally, they will be able to analyze the care needs of the patient and their family during the various stages of oncological and non-oncological diseases, understanding how different symptomatological profiles evolve and impact the patient's quality of life.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Students will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in daily practice by designing and implementing supportive care interventions that consider the complexity of the patient's and family's needs. They will be capable of conducting accurate clinical assessments to identify the specific needs of oncological and non-oncological patients requiring palliative care, managing drug administration safely and effectively while adhering to care procedures. Furthermore, they will be able to plan and implement symptomatic treatments with a holistic and personalized approach aimed at improving patients' quality of life.
AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT
By the end of the course, students will be able to independently assess the quality of life of patients and identify the most appropriate intervention strategies to enhance their well-being. They will demonstrate the ability to make independent care decisions based on scientific evidence and recognized quality standards in oncology and palliative care. Additionally, they will be prepared to recognize and manage emergencies in palliative care, adapting their clinical decisions to the immediate needs of the patient while respecting the dignity of the person being cared for.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Students will develop skills in effective communication with patients and their families, sensitively addressing delicate topics such as bereavement and care planning. They will be able to use quality-of-life assessment tools and share complex information in a way that is understandable and accessible to patients and their loved ones. Furthermore, they will demonstrate the ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, promoting a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to palliative care, which is essential for ensuring comprehensive and personalized care.
ABILITY TO LEARN
Students will be able to continue developing their knowledge and skills independently, recognizing the importance of continuous updates on new scientific evidence and guidelines in oncology and palliative care. They will be capable of actively participating in training and refresher courses, aware that continuing education is essential to maintaining high standards of care. Finally, they will demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on their clinical practices, using feedback to continually improve their care competencies and provide increasingly effective and compassionate service to patients.

Knowledge of general psychology, biochemistry, biology, physiology, anatomy, general and clinical pathology, pathological anatomy, clinical nursing.

Needs assessment and nursing care in the various stages of oncological and non-oncological diseases requiring palliative care
Design and implementation of supportive interventions
Impact of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases requiring palliative care on patients and families
Diagnostic, therapeutic, and care pathways for major oncological and non-oncological conditions requiring palliative care
Principles of management of chemotherapeutic drugs and medications used in palliative care
Care procedures associated with pharmacological treatments
Care models and organizational frameworks in palliative care
Palliative Care: definition, philosophy, legislation, settings.

Materials provided by the instructor.
No mandatory textbooks are required for this course. However, the following texts, available at the Central Medical Library, may be helpful for personal study and further exploration:
Prandi C., Infermieristica in cure palliative, 2015
Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine (4th Edition. Hanks, Cherny, Christakis, Fallon, Kaasa, Portenoy. Oxford ed 2010)

Clinical Nursing in Oncology:
Needs Assessment and Impact of Neoplastic Disease on Physical and Psychosocial Aspects:
Alteration of self-perception and role
Alteration of body image (alopecia, radiation lesions, dermatitis, neoplastic lesions, edema, anorexia-cachexia syndrome, etc.)
Alteration of bowel function (constipation, diarrhea)
Alteration of nutrition (dysgeusia, vomiting, mucositis, etc.)
Alteration of activity tolerance (fatigue, asthenia, dyspnea, etc.)
Care Pathway for Neoplastic Disease:
Diagnosis
Therapeutic treatments
Follow-up
Routes of Administration for Chemotherapy:
Methods and considerations
Management of Antineoplastic Drugs:
Handling
Administration
Disposal
Extravasation of Chemotherapy Drugs:
Prevention
Consequences
Treatment
Care for Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation:
Treatment phases: conditioning, pre-engraftment, post-engraftment
Infection risk and bleeding risk:
Prevention
Assessment
Treatment
Clinical Nursing in Palliative Care:
Definition and Philosophical Aspects:
Core principles and values
Legislative Aspects:
Law 38/2010, Law 219/2017, etc.
Organizational Models:
Early, simultaneous, and end-stage palliative care
Palliative Care Settings:
Home, nursing homes, hospitals, outpatient clinics, hospices
Needs Assessment for Chronic Progressive and End-Stage Diseases:
Assessment of the patient and family
Evaluation tools
Role of the family, needs, and support
Grief
Care Pathways for Chronic Progressive Diseases (cardiac, pulmonary, renal, neurological conditions):
Care peculiarities and evolving trajectories
Pharmacological Aspects of Palliative Care Therapies:
Routes of administration (oral, transdermal, intravenous, subcutaneous)
Most commonly used drugs
Off-label drugs
Common Palliative Care Nursing Aspects:
Pain
Dyspnea
Terminal rattle
Oral care
Nutrition
Hydration
Elimination
Rest and sleep
Activities of daily living
Skin integrity
Infections
Self-care
Reactions to treatments
Emergencies in Palliative Care:
Hemorrhages
Mediastinal syndrome
Delirium
Seizures
Spinal cord compression
Hypercalcemia
Terminal or Palliative Sedation:
Principles and practices
Communication and Relationships in Palliative Care:
Effective communication strategies and relational approaches

Interactive lectures supported by PowerPoint slides prepared by the instructor, with ample opportunities for student-instructor interaction and discussion of clinical cases.

PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and supporting materials are available on the Moodle@units and Teams platforms.

The assessment of learning is aimed at verifying the achievement of the expected outcomes defined by the Dublin descriptors. The evaluation of competencies is carried out through a written exam, lasting approximately 60 minutes, consisting of three open-ended questions related to topics from the program. Each question will be scored from 0 to 10 points.
The exam will evaluate the student's level of knowledge of the course material, mastery of specialized language, and the ability to develop reasoning by applying theoretical knowledge.
The evaluation (on a scale of 30) will be based on the following criteria:
Excellent (30 - 30 with honors): Excellent knowledge of the topics, excellent command of specialized language, excellent analytical ability; the student is able to brilliantly apply theoretical knowledge to practical cases.
Very Good (27 - 29): Good knowledge of the topics, considerable command of language, good analytical ability; the student is able to correctly apply theoretical knowledge to practical cases.
Good (24 - 26): Good knowledge of the main topics, adequate command of language; the student shows an adequate ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical cases.
Satisfactory (21 - 23): The student does not demonstrate full mastery of the main topics of the course, although they possess fundamental knowledge; however, they show satisfactory command of language and sufficient ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical cases.
Sufficient (18 - 20): Minimal knowledge of the main topics and technical language, limited ability to adequately apply theoretical knowledge to practical cases.
Insufficient: The student does not possess an acceptable level of knowledge of the course content.
Depending on the number of students registered for a given exam session, exams may be scheduled over multiple days.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)