Module: Interventions in Psycho-oncology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Interventions in Psycho-oncology
Module Code	NUR1172 (ITS: NS539)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module will enable students of psycho-oncology to demonstrate knowledge and specific skills in psychosocial interventions, health promotion & education and supportive care relevant to the person with cancer and his or her family and close others. These include psychosocial interventions available as psychodynamic/psychoeducative supportive care at any stage of the cancer trajectory for the person with cancer, his or her spouse, partner and/or family members as well as psychiatric/psychopharmacological interventions appropriate to cancer care in the primary, secondary and or tertiary healthcare settings. The learning outcomes for the students of this module focus on demonstrating the causes of and comprehensive assessment skills for the early detection of psychological distress, narrative interviewing and immediate problem solving with the service user as appropriate and ability to appropriately refer the service user to the relevant service provider within the multidisciplinary team as required, for example for symptom control/management. Psychoeducative and health promotion interventions include for example setting up stress management, community and distance support services for patients with cancer.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse and evaluate psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapies and counselling for individual patients and patient groups and their carers and close others in the clinical and community setting.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and range of communication and assessment skills to identify psychological distress, offer a problem solving interview and if required to appropriately refer the patient to a member of the multidisciplinary team for symptom alleviation and control; for example to psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapies, pastoral care, medical social worker, or psychiatric and psychopharmcological interventions.
3. Have detailed knowledge and skills in using a range of assessment tools for identifying psychological distress, pain, depression and anxiety in the patient with cancer to be able to appropriately treat and refer the patient as necessary.
4. Evaluate and be able to deliver education regarding cancer screening and prevention programmes to health care professionals,laypersons and patients and their families
5. Demonstrate the ability to access and deliver a range of specific psycho-educative/health promotion interventions for patients with cancer and for prevention, particularly related to smoking cessation, alcohol misuse,diet and exercise.
6. Analyse the challenges and opportunities of delivering supportive and psycheducative services via videotechnology for populations, especially older persons, living in remote regions.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	38	based on indicative content, learning activities, tutorials, group work and discussions
Independent Study	172	self directed study based on additional reading list
Clinical placement	40	reflective learning in practice
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11329	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Written assignment incorporating a critical analysis/reflection of communication techniques required for assessment of psychological distress in the patient with cancer using video recording and subsequent analysis of own communication behaviour in role play in the class context	60%	Sem 1 End
Assignment	Compile a practice portfolio showing EITHER evidence of having undertaken in your current practice context at least two of the practice interventions discussed in the module OR Devise a plan for a psycho-oncology support programme for a group of women who live in a remote part of Ireland.	40%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

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Indicative Reading List

Books:

Brennan, J (2004): 2004, Cancer in Context: a Practical Guide for Supportive Care. New York: Oxford University Press, 1st, All, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 0-19-851525-1
Holland J et al IPOS Press: 2006, Quick Reference for Oncology clinicians :The Psychiatric and Psychological Dimensions of Cancer Symptom Management IPOS Press, 1st, 0-9785319-0-6
edited by Jimmie C. Holland; associate editors, William Breitbart... [et al.]: 1998, Psycho-oncology, Oxford University Press, New York, 0195106148
Jon Kabat-Zinn: 2005, Coming to our senses, Hyperion, New York, 0786867566
Moorey, S. & Greer, S: 2002, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for People with Cancer., 2nd, New York: Oxford University Press, 978-0-19-850866-3
Segal, ZV et al: 2002, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, Guildford Press, 13-978-1-57230-706-3
Zighelboim, J: 2007, To Health ! The New Humanistic Oncology USA., www.booksurge.com, 1-4196-5740-2
Ralph J. DiClemente (Editor), Richard A. Crosby (Editor), Michelle Kegler (Editor): 0, Emerging Theories in Health Promotion Practice and Research, 0-470-17913-9
Thiboldeaux, K, Golant, M: 2007, The Total Cancer Wellness Guide, Dallas: Benbella, 978-1-933771-16-X852495
edited by Denise Rankin-Box: 0, The nurse's handbook of complementary therapies, Baillière Tindall, Edinburgh, 0702026514
Professor Jackie Green, Professor Keith Tones,: 0, Health Promotion,
edited by Denise C. Park and Linda L. Liu: 2007, Medical adherence and aging, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 9781591477310
edited by Mark Conner and Paul Norman: 0, Predicting health behaviour, 0335193218
Alex J. Mitchell MRCPsych, James C. Coyne PhD,: 0, Screening for Depression in Clinical Practice, 978-0-19-538019-4

Articles:

0: Journal: Psycho-Oncology, 89, 2
Journal: Pain: 90, 2, 0
91: 2, 0, British Journal of Cancer,
2: 0, Journal: Palliative Medicine,
0: Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer, 94, 2
Journal: Social Science and Medicine:

Other Resources

IPOS website online lectures:
CD Rom for classroom delivery: Professor Lesley Fallowfield & Dr Val Jenkins, 2009, Advanced Communication Skills for Healthcare Professionals, Sussex UK,
website: World Cancer Research Fund, 2007, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer, http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/