Distance Learning in Partnership with Makerere University

Diploma in Palliative Care offered by Hospice Africa Uganda in partnership with Makerere University and African Palliative Care Association

Information for potential Applicants

For 2010/2011 Academic Year

Introduction:

This 12 month programme is offered by Makerere University through its affiliated institution Hospice Africa Uganda in partnership with the African Palliative Care Association. It is specifically designed to be applicable to Palliative Care in the African setting. Through the use of a distance learning modality, it is aimed that a wider audience from different African countries will be able to participate in the course, thereby helping to increase the availability of Palliative Care.

Date of next Intake: July/August 2010 (exact dates to be communicated)

Overall Objective:

To produce graduates from across Sub-Saharan Africa who possess the multiple skills to develop and manage palliative care services appropriate to their country situations, as well as leading the development and running of appropriate training, evaluation and advocacy programmes.

Specific Objectives:

 It is expected that the graduate with the Diploma in Palliative Care would be able to:

• Demonstrate an ability to consult appropriately, and to provide care in a way that is sensitive and informed by the local African socio-cultural context;
• Demonstrate an ability to work autonomously as palliative care health professionals, with minimal supervision;
• Demonstrate a basic level of skills in the training of others;
• Demonstrate an ability to ensure efficient provision of care for patients with palliative care needs and their families;
• Prescribe medication as appropriate and according to the laws and statutes in country, governing prescribing for nurses and clinical officers;
• Apply critical thinking skills in relation to a range of tasks including the evaluation of evidence, and the planning and undertaking of simple audit studies.
• Demonstrate the skills required for palliative care advocacy within their organisation
• Demonstrate abilities as team-worker and as an effective operator across professional, organisational, economic and socio-cultural boundaries, so as to deliver the best palliative care service for patients within the resources available.

Who can apply?

Applications are invited from Doctors, Nurses and Clinical Officers who fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

Admission Requirements:

Each applicant must be a qualified doctor, registered nurse/midwife or clinical officer who must fulfil the following Essential criteria.

• Fall in the category of  professionals mentioned above
• Have a minimum of two years post registration clinical experience
• Must currently be working in a clinical palliative care or related setting
• Must present  good recommendations from two referees one of which must be their  current supervisor
• Must  demonstrate appropriate writing skills in English

Desirable Criterion

• Prior training in Palliative Care

Programme Content:

The programme is structured over a 12 months period and comprises 2 Semesters and one Recess Term. During the Recess Term there will be a block of clinical experience in a Palliative Care setting and an audit project to be completed.

There is also a compulsory residential teaching block at the beginning of the first semester and an examination week at the end of each semester.

A letter of agreement for a participant to attend these activities from their employer is required prior to acceptance onto the course, in addition to employer support for the student to have additional study leave for ongoing reading, assignments and examination preparation. We would recommend a minimum of 1-2 days per month study leave during the Semesters and Recess Term.

The following topics will be included:

• Academic writing and study skills                                                    
• Foundations in palliative care and Introduction to Public Health Approach
• Palliative care in disease specific conditions 
• Pain management                                                                               
• Symptom control                                           
• Psychosocial issues, communication and team work             
• Spiritual and cultural issues                                                               
• Death, dying, grief and bereavement                                                
• Ethics and Legal Issues                                                                     
• Teaching palliative care                                                                      
• Audit and evaluation                                                             
• Clinical pain assessment and management                                        
• Audit project  

 Learning Support:

Students will be assigned a mentor who will provide support and guidance by telephone, email, post and face-to-face contact (depending on student’s location). For students outside Uganda, there will also be an identified facilitator who will provide additional support; this will often be the current direct supervisor/employer.

It is also aimed that students will be in informal contact with each other for support, discussion and sharing of information. It would be beneficial if students were able to form small groups for discussion around study topics.

Assessment:

Each module is assessed by an assignment and a written examination at the end of each semester.

Students will be awarded a Diploma of Palliative Care from Makerere University upon successful completion of the two Semesters and Recess Term.

Costs:

To undertake the Diploma Course, the cost per student is US$ 5,400 in total to include;

·         All registration

·         Tuition

·         Examination fees

·         Accommodation and meals during the  residential period at Hospice.

Additional costs that will need to be met by the individual student / employer / sponsor include;

·         Transport costs to the residential and examination periods

·         Accommodation, travel and subsistence costs for clinical placements and audit    

·         project costs.

·         Communication

The majority of students will require bursaries to help with these costs.

When applying please indicate how funding is planned. All potential students are encouraged to actively seek their own source of funding.

How to apply:

Please contact Ms. Grace Kivumbi on the contacts below for further information and application procedure:

Hospice Africa Uganda

Plot 130 Makindye road

Education Office

PO Box 7757

Kampala

Uganda

Tel: 00 256 414  266867, 266044, 510089, 268187, 00 256 392 766867

Email: gkivumbi@hospiceafrica.or.ug