MSc Specialist Practice (Cancer)

• Develop the skills of reflection, critical analysis and enquiry relating to current issues in the context and treatment of breast cancer.
• Develop competence in interpersonal skills relevant to detecting the psychological sequelae of breast disease and enabling students to provide support to patients and their families

• Critically evaluate how and why a diagnosis of breast cancer may cause significant challenges for patients and their families.
• Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the common problems associated with breast cancer and the complexities of its treatment.
• Critically appraise a range of evidence based strategies and interventions to provide high quality care and explore the evidence relating to their management.
• Critically appraise different models of care delivery that can be used to support patients with cancer and their family.

• Critically analyse and reflect upon the psychosocial consequences that can arise following a breast cancer diagnosis.
• Critically examine the ethical, legal, political and professional issues relating to the management of patients with breast disease.
• Critically appraise the concepts of rehabilitation, support and palliation and consider their relevance in the context of breast disease and advanced breast care practice.
• Critically analyse different models for assessing patient concerns and evaluate their utility within the context of a breast care setting.

• Critically reflect upon their own level of interpersonal skills competence and identify key areas for further personal development.
• Develop interpersonal skills to enable the assessment identification and exploration of key patient concerns in the context of a breast cancer diagnosis.
• Critically consider the value and purpose of the therapeutic relationship and evaluate strategies for the development of therapeutic patient relationships in the context of their professional role.
• Reflect on their professional role and sphere of influence to identify and critically evaluate appropriate strategies to promote developments in breast cancer care.

• 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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