Person-centred Palliative Care (5cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course implementation includes sub-tasks. Some of the sub-tasks are assessed on a pass–fail scale, while others are graded on a scale of 0–5. The overall grade is determined as follows: • All sub-tasks must be passed or awarded at least a grade of 1. • The overall grade is calculated as the average of the numerically assessed tasks. Each task has its own instructions and assessment criteria, which can be found in the task guidelines on the learning platform. Excellent (5) The student demonstrates comprehensive and wide-ranging mastery of the course content in the assessment areas. The student possesses excellent, purpose-appropriate information-seeking skills. In their solutions, the student shows independence, responsibility, and the ability to guide others. Their ability to apply their learning to the professional context demonstrates creativity and breadth. Good (3–4) The student demonstrates a good command of the course content in the assessment areas. The student actively seeks information and interprets its key connections to working life. They are able to analyse what they have learned and apply it in a professional context. Satisfactory (1–2) The student demonstrates mastery of the basic content of the course in the assessment areas, but their ability to seek information independently, interpret it, and apply their learning to the professional context is lacking. Fail (0) The student does not master the basic content of the course, nor do they possess independent information-seeking, interpretative, or application skills. Tasks have not been completed within the given deadline.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The course consists of four themes and related assignments: 1. Person-centred 2. Empowering patient education 3. Cultural perspective in palliative care 4. Images of death in the media The course is designed so that it can mainly be completed at one's own pace during the course implementation period. Group assignments require scheduling with the group, and there are separate guidelines and schedules available on the learning platform, which will be reviewed during the introductory session. The student is responsible for scheduling and submitting assignments in accordance with the course implementation guidelines and within the course implementation period, from 16 March to 22 May 2026.

Objective

Student - conceptualises and justifies palliative care through a person-centred care framework. - applies the principles of person-centred care in palliative care practice. - evaluates and develops the implementation of person-centred palliative care across diverse practice settings by applying relevant theoretical and empirical knowledge. - identifies the functioning of multicultural communities within person-centred palliative care. - develops person-centred palliative care by integrating the perspectives of the patient, their family/significant others, culture, and community. - applies the foundations of person-centred care in the planning and delivery of palliative care, assessing the patient both as an individual and as a member of their community. - expands societal understanding of palliative care within national and globalising contexts. - promotes the principles of equality, social justice, and inclusion in palliative care and related services. - identifies and critically analyses systemic, structural, informational, cultural, and individual barriers influencing the care of patients receiving palliative care. - applies knowledge of accessibility and universal design in the development of person-centred palliative care.

Content

Definition of person- and community-centred care Person-centeredness in palliative care Supporting the resources, empowerment, and participation of individuals and communities Encountering, guiding, and supporting the patient and their family/significant others in palliative care The role of communities and society (the third sector and voluntary work, faith-based communities, public awareness and understanding of available services, social capital, and openness within communities) Death and representations of death in the media, and societal advocacy The culture of death and dying Aesthetics, accessibility, and inclusivity in palliative care

Location and time

The implementation of the course will take place between 16 March and 22 May 2026. The studies will be completed in an online learning environment and via remote connections. The introductory session and group allocation for the course implementation will be organised remotely in collaboration with Karelia University of Applied Sciences. The event will take place on 12 January from 9 am to 12 pm. Zoom link: To be provided later The teacher responsible for the person-centred palliative course implementation, Terhi Lehtonen, terhi.lehtonen@metropolia.fi, will be available remotely during guidance sessions on 17 March from 3 pm to 4 pm and on 19 May from 3 pm to 4 pm via Zoom for matters related to the implementation. Attendance at these sessions is voluntary. Link to the guidance meetings: https://metropolia.zoom.us/j/6601256961?omn=63130217777, Meeting ID: 660 125 6961

Materials

The up-to-date literature for the study implementation can be found on the learning platform when the implementation opens. Students also search for appropriate information sources for the assignments of the implementations, following the provided instructions.

Teaching methods

Online Learning In online learning, the working methods include learning assignments, online lectures, online discussions, group work, and independent study. The studies will be completed in an online learning environment and via remote connections. The implementation of the Person-centred Palliative Care course is organized in collaboration between universities of applied sciences: Metropolia, Jamk, Savonia, Turku, Karelia, Oamk, and Kamk. Students from all these universities of applied sciences participate in the implementation, and collaboration takes place among students using tools and methods that support online work. The implementation can be found on the shared KAMK Reppu learning platform of the partner institutions: https://reppu.kamk.fi/course/view.php?id=1715 The enrollment key will be provided later to students who have registered for the course implementation.

Employer connections

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Exam schedules

The course implementation does not include an exam.

International connections

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Completion alternatives

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Student workload

5 credits = 135 hours