Course description: This one-credit pass/fail course is designed to provide undergraduate preprofessional students with an introductory understanding of palliative and hospice care.  It is designed specifically for undergraduates interested in careers in healthcare, but can also be useful to students aspiring to work in other helping professions.  This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of palliative and hospice care, focusing on how this care is given in the current healthcare system.  Hospice administrators, physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual care staff, and bereavement therapists are the faculty for the course. Students will also be given an introduction in compassionate interpersonal communication skills, which are needed in caring for people who are in need of palliative care and for people who are dying.  A number of films will be used including the Frontline documentaries, “Facing Death” and “Okuyamba.”  Offered every three semesters.

 

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2014, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a three-hour self-study student component (i.e. viewing several films online) to be completed by by November 30, 2014.   

Number of students:  Maximum of 250 students

Location: 105 Jordan Hall of Science

Assignments: Attendance at the day-long class is mandatory. Three to five page paper to include a summary of hospice and palliative care, reflections on what the students gained from the course, and how this relates to their future careers.  There will be a pre-test and a post-test for the day class. Self-study component involve several readings and films that can be completed online. 

Meals: We will be providing lunch on-site to conserve time.  No charge.

 

This course is funded by the Reich Family Endowment for Excellence on the Care of the Whole Patient