Palliative and End of Life Care MSc

Program Overview

The MSc in Palliative and End of Life Care equips healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in palliative care. Through a blended learning approach, students gain a comprehensive understanding of clinical, academic, and organizational aspects of palliative care, preparing them for leadership roles in improving care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Graduates are eligible for career paths in clinical practice, research, and advocacy, contributing to the advancement of palliative care both nationally and internationally.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc program in Palliative and End of Life Care is designed for healthcare and allied professionals, as well as intercalating medical students, to gain a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of palliative care at the master's level.

Objectives:

• To equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to excel in senior clinical and/or leadership roles within regional, national, and international contexts.
• To enhance the quality of care delivered to patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses.
• To foster effective team working within and across professions and sectors.
• To address the challenges of organizational structures and resource constraints on service delivery.

Description:

The program is rooted in the core elements of good practice, encompassing clinical, academic, organizational, political, and international perspectives on the current and future challenges of palliative and end-of-life care. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice and promotes critical thinking skills.

Outline:

Structure:

• Full-time: 12 months
• Part-time: 36 months

Course Schedule:

• Semester One:
• Compulsory Modules:
• ADVANCED PRACTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE (MDSC160): This module covers the core competencies for managing end-of-life care, focusing on evidence-based approaches to managing the needs of patients and their families.
It includes a two-day Advanced Communication Skills Workshop and a structured observational clinical placement within a specialist palliative care unit.
• Applied Ethics for Clinical Practice I (MDSC400): This module explores ethical problems and theories, enhances ethical reasoning skills, and develops research skills and professional behaviors in clinical ethics and ethical decision-making processes.
• Optional Modules:
• Applied Ethics for Clinical Practice I (MDSC400): This module explores ethical problems and theories, enhances ethical reasoning skills, and develops research skills and professional behaviors in clinical ethics and ethical decision-making processes.
• Semester Two:
• Compulsory Modules:
• ADVANCED PRACTICE IN END OF LIFE CARE (MDSC161): This module delves into contemporary end-of-life care provision, examining the challenges, core skills, and importance of evidence-based care at the end of life.
It also explores the role of policy, societal engagement, and the impact of national strategies on end-of-life care provision.
• Research Methods: Design, Data and Dissemination (MDSC703): This module equips students with the skills to assess and appraise research design, data collection, and analysis within health and social science.
It culminates in the development of high-quality research proposals suitable for Masters/Level 7 study.
• Final Project:
• Compulsory Modules:
• Research Project (MDSC406): This module allows students to explore a wide range of scientific and applied medical topics, plan and execute a research project, and communicate their findings to a scientific audience through a scientific poster and a journal article.

Assessment:

• Presentations: Students will present their work in various formats, including individual presentations and group discussions.
• Coursework: This includes written assignments, case studies, and critical reviews of research articles.
• Final Research Project: This is a significant component of the program, requiring students to conduct independent research and produce a written report, poster, and oral presentation.

Teaching:

• Methods: The program employs a blended approach to learning, combining classroom-based instruction, practical experiences, and online activities.
This includes structured reading, experiential learning, formal presentations, clinical observation, reflective practice, student presentations, group discussions, and structured critical reviews.
• Faculty: The course is delivered by the School of Medicine, with faculty members who are active researchers and/or practicing clinicians.
Students benefit from close links with other schools and research institutes within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the wider University, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary research and learning.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Senior clinical roles in palliative care settings
• Leadership positions within palliative care organizations
• Research positions focused on palliative care
• Advocacy and policy roles related to end-of-life care
• Opportunities: The program prepares graduates for a variety of career paths within the field of palliative and end-of-life care, both in clinical and non-clinical settings.
• Liverpool Hallmarks: The program aligns with the University of Liverpool's distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which emphasizes research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment.
• Study as an Intercalated Degree: The course is suitable for intercalation for Medicine students.
• Working in the UK After Graduation: The program provides information about the UK's graduate visa program, which allows international students to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduation.

Tuition fees for Non-EU/International students: Full-time place, per year £26,400 Tuition fees for UK students: Full-time place, per year £10,800