Program Overview

IP6013 Pharmacotherapeutics in Palliative Care

Course Fact File

• Code: IP6013
• Duration: 02/03/26 – 05/04/26
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Fees: €435
• Closing Date: 2nd February 2026
• Credits: 5
• Start Date: 2nd March 2026

Outline

Module Goal

To provide participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to apply a patient-centered approach to the principles of safe, effective, and rational use of therapeutics in the management of pain and other symptoms in the palliative care population.

Module Content

• Healthcare structures and governance pertinent to the provision of therapeutics in palliative care
• Effective and safe use of therapeutics in the palliative care patient, including pharmacology, formulation choice, and the management of side-effects and interactions
• Rational use of therapeutics in the palliative care patient
• Deprescribing
• Counselling the palliative care patient on the safe, effective, and rational use of therapeutics and managing affective elements of patient interactions

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Describe the main classes of medications used to treat pain and other symptoms in the palliative care population.
2. Discuss the routes of administration utilised in palliative care and the recommended protocols when switching from one drug or formulation to another and when switching from one route of administration to another.
3. Select appropriate courses of action, best practice, and recognised reference sources to inform the prescribing and optimal use of medications in palliative care, taking into account the healthcare structures and pertinent governance of medicines relating to the country within which they work.
4. Appraise and identify potential opportunities to rationalise medication use.
5. Support patients and their families in the safe, effective, and rational use of medications by counselling, listening, and responding to medication queries and issues.
6. Explain the pharmacology underpinning the safe and rational use of medication in palliative care, giving consideration to adverse effects, drug interactions, and use in the vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with renal and/or hepatic impairment.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

This is an online module consisting of online learning and online moderated discussion, along with directed and self-directed learning. The entire module will be delivered over the course of a one-month period. The inter-professional and online learning format is designed to provide students with a flexible educational experience to allow each student to tailor their learning to their own learning needs, work setting, work commitments, and role.

Schedule

3rd March-6th April 2025

Requirements

Candidates must have an honours primary degree or an equivalent qualification in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, or dentistry. All applicants are required to complete an application form and provide evidence of current professional registration.

Fees and Costs

€435

How To Apply

To apply for this module, create a profile and start the application by selecting the option below. Gather any additional documents required, including a passport-style photo and a copy of your degree parchment if not a previous UCC graduate. The full module fee of €435 will be payable on submission of your application.