MSc Specialist Practice (Cancer)

• To develop the student’s understanding of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social impact of cancer on the patient and family
• To increase awareness of the different ways in which the patient and family can be supported through the various stages of the cancer journey
• To develop analytic and reflective skills in order to improve clinical decision-making and enhance patient care

• Critically analyse ways in which a cancer diagnosis may cause significant challenges for patients and their families
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the common problems associated with cancer and its treatment and critically appraise how these can be managed and minimized
• Critically evaluate a range of models of care delivery that can be used to support patients with cancer and their families

• Critically analyse the concepts of cancer rehabilitation , survivorship and supportive/palliative care and evaluate their utility in contemporary cancer care
• Critically appraise relevant legal, ethical and professional issues and appraise their influence on the delivery of cancer care
• Critically examine the ways in which policy and organisational contexts will impact on the delivery of cancer services
• Critically evaluate a range of evidence based strategies and interventions to support patients with cancer and their families throughout the cancer journey within the context of the student’s sphere of cancer care provision 

• By critically evaluating evidence, provide specialist, clinical knowledge and support to patients, families and colleagues
• Reflect on their professional role and sphere of influence to identify and critically evaluate appropriate strategies to promote developments in cancer care
• Critically evaluate models of care delivery in order to initiate and facilitate change to improve patient experience and service delivery
• Demonstrate effective and skilled communication to promote and facilitate collaborative multidisciplinary teamwork across professional boundaries

• Critically reflect on their own academic performance and utilise a range of strategies to improve these and overcome any particular difficulties.
• Further develop and enhance skills in effective communication to a range of audiences in a variety of settings.
• Demonstrate skills in working collegiately and effectively with others as a member of a team
• Effectively utilise a range of information sources including information technology / health informatics
• Utilise skills in systematic and creative approaches to problem-solving and decision-making in relation to complex issues

Students will normally have the opportunity to receive feedback on formative work submitted prior to the summative assessment. Other feedback opportunities will also be available in class and online discussion boards. Online feedback is provided in Grademark. Provisional feedback based on internal marking will be made available prior to the Exam Board on the basis that these marks are yet to be ratified at the Exam Board and therefore may be subject to change. A standard feedback mechanism in Grademark is utilised across all postgraduate programmes within the School which provides detailed and constructive feedback on each component and aspect of assessment and identifies areas of strength and those aspects which could be enhanced.

Student feedback is obtained through open discussion forums on blackboard, in class discussions, via formal University unit evaluation forms and also qualitative, in house evaluations at the end of the unit. 

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