Synopsis:

This course has been designed to build the contemporary knowledge and skills of health professionals involved in the care of people with severe dementia and their families. In particular, the content of this course focuses on the highly specialised care needs of people with severe dementia and their families and uses innovative learning activities to enhance your evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills in this area.

The content and learning activities for this course have been divided into four modules:

            Module 1: Contextualising dementia
            Module 2: The trajectory of severe dementia
            Module 3: Promoting the physical care and quality of life for the person with severe dementia
            Module 4: Promoting a positive culture of care

Key topics addressed in each module are summarised below:

Successful completion of this course will enable the participant to:

• Differentiate between a palliative approach and terminal care for those with severe dementia.
• Describe the clinical features and common physical care problems associated with severe dementia.
• Describe the role of interdisciplinary team members in caring for individuals with severe dementia.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of strategies to facilitate communication with families about the trajectory of severe dementia.
• Integrate evidence-based practice and ethico-legal principles when conceptualising and analysing problems associated with the care of people with severe dementia.
• Reflect critically on learning with respect to individuals with severe dementia and their families.

Who should enrol?

There are two levels of enrolment for this course:

1. Professional Development Level
2. Postgraduate Level

1. Professional Development Level:

This level of enrolment is open to individuals wishing to undertake professional development in the area of dementia care. Enrolment at this level does not require the individual to be eligible for postgraduate study.

2. Postgraduate Level:

This level of enrolment is open to individuals with a formally-recognised undergraduate qualification in a health-related discipline.

For any questions related to your eligibility to enrol in this course, please contact either:

            Tracey Dutton (Course Tutor) on: +61 7 3138 5943, t.dutton@qut.edu.au
            Professor Helen Edwards (Course Co-ordinator) on: + 61 7 3138 3844, h.edwards@qut.edu.au

What are the differences between the “Professional Development Level” and “Postgraduate Level” of enrolment for this course?

The content of modules and related learning activities for the course are identical across the two levels of enrolment. However, there are different assessment items and associated marking criteria for the two levels of enrolment. 

Please note that to be eligible for credit towards postgraduate units in the School of Nursing at QUT, Registered Nurses must enrol in the postgraduate level of the course. (Refer to “Recognition of this course” below).

How is the course delivered?

This course is conducted in external mode. A course outline and study guide in CD-ROM format will be posted to participants. This CD-ROM will be linked to a QUT Blackboard site for “Palliation in Dementia Care”. Participants will be provided with detailed instructions on how to access this online site. Set readings for each module will be available from the Course Materials Database (CMD) within the Blackboard site. If required, assistance in learning how to access the Blackboard site and Course Materials Database will be provided to participants by the course tutor.

There is no requirement for participants to visit the University over the duration of the course.

How is the course assessed?

There are three assignments to be completed and submitted as part of this course:

Professional Development Level of Enrolment:

            Assignment 1: Detailed summary of a research article based on a key theme within one of the modules (Word length = approx. 700 words, Weighting = 30%)
            Assignment 2: Prepare a case study illustrating a palliative approach for a person with dementia (Word length = maximum 2,000 words, Weighting = 50%)
            Assignment 3: Write four entries in a “reflective log” tracking your learning over the four modules (Word length = approx. 150 words per entry, Weighting = 20%)

Postgraduate Level of Enrolment:

            Assignment 1: Critical analysis of a research article based on a key theme within one of the modules (Word length = approx. 700 words, Weighting = 30%)
            Assignment 2: Develop and prepare a workplace resource to support a palliative approach for people with dementia (Word length = maximum 2,000 words, Weighting = 50%)
            Assignment 3: Write four entries in a “reflective log” tracking your learning over the four modules (Word length = approx. 150 words per entry, Weighting = 20%)

Participants must submit all assessment items to receive a grade for this course.

Recognition of the Course

Those who successfully complete the four modules and related assessment items will receive a QUT endorsed Certificate of Completion. For registered nurses only, this course will carry 10 credit points towards a postgraduate unit offered by the QUT School of Nursing.

Cost

Course registration is $1,020 (AUD including GST). The registration fee includes:

• CD-ROM (containing course outline and study guide)
• Access to the “Palliation in Dementia Care” Blackboard site and Course Materials Database
• Access to the course tutor: (a) via telephone, email, and/or face-to-face meetings by appointment; and (b) for individually-tailored learning support to assist participants in completing the course modules and assessment items.

To assist in understanding course content, participants are expected to access the following textbook: J. Hughes (Ed.) (2006). Palliative Care in Severe Dementia. London: Quay Books. This textbook is not included in the course registration fee and course materials provided to participants.

Course Co-ordinators

Course Co-ordinator:   Professor Helen Edwards
                                    Head of School—School of Nursing
                                    Director (QLD Node)—Eastern Australia Dementia Training & Study Centre
                                    Queensland University of Technology
                                    Telephone: +61 7 3138 3844
                                    Email: h.edwards@qut.edu.au

Tutor:                           Tracey Dutton
                                    QLD Project Manager—Eastern Australia Dementia Training & Study Centre
                                    School of Nursing
                                    Queensland University of Technology
                                    Telephone: +61 7 3138 5943
                                    Email: t.dutton@qut.edu.au

Both the course co-ordinator and tutor strongly encourage participants to keep in contact with them over the duration of the course (via telephone, email, and/or face-to-face meeting by appointment). In particular, you are encouraged to contact the course co-ordinator and/or tutor to seek direction, clarification, and/or for any other matter related to completing the modules and assessment items.

For FULL course outline and Frequently Asked Questions please visit http://www.hlth.qut.edu.au/nrs/courses/cpe

Registration:

Upon registration, an invoice will automatically be sent to your email address.

Registration can be paid for by credit card at the time of registration, cheque or EFT/Direct Debit.

Fee-Help and HECS are not available for Continuing Professional Education Courses.

Register Here

1. Register via the online registration link above (have your credit card ready if you are paying online).

2. A registration email will automatically be sent back (to the email address nominated on the online registration form).

Cancellation:

Registration cancellations will not be accepted unless made in writing to the Course Manager, either by mail, facsimile or email (carley.chapman@qut.edu.au).

Cancellations received prior to COB 22 August 2008 will be refunded less $100 (please note if you have not paid you will still be invoiced for this amount). No registration refunds will be made after COB 22 August 2008. Cancellations received after COB 22 August 2008 will be charged the full fee (even if payment has not already been received).

QUT reserves the right to cancel the course should circumstances warrant, such as low registrations. In such event you will be advised without delay and a full refund of fees will be paid. QUT is not responsible for any expenses you may have incurred if the course is cancelled.

Contact Information:

For further information regarding course content, assessment or extensions, please contact:

Course Tutor: Tracey Dutton
           Phone - +61 7 3138 5943
           Email: t.dutton@qut.edu.au
                                  
Course Coordinator: Yvonne Osborne
           Phone - +61 7 3138 3833
           Email: y.osborne@qut.edu.au

For further queries about registration or payment for the course, please contact Carley Chapman in the Office of Continuing Professional Education by phoning:+ 61 7 3138 9350 or emailing: carley.chapman@qut.edu.au