Programme Objectives

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Hong Kong in according to the Hong Kong Cancer Registry. The expansion of oncology and palliative care service in the Hospital Authority has an enormous impact on care delivery, complex needs, legal and ethical issues and quality of life.  Subsequently, the need for registered nurses and allied health care professionals to be equipped with advanced clinical knowledge on update treatment plan and care management of different types of cancer has become prominent.

The programme aims to provide knowledge on advanced practice in oncology and palliative care for nurses and allied health care professionals, such as registered social workers, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists etc. The teaching strategy focuses on the integration of knowledge and practical skills to prepare nurses and allied health care professionals to deliver nursing and specialist care to cancer patients based on a multidisciplinary approach. 

 

For students who are registered nurses, they are expected to deliver specialised ‘nursing’ care for cancer patients upon completion of the programme. For allied health care workers, they can apply the acquired knowledge in providing specialist care for cancer patients relevant to their roles in their affiliated units.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme, students should be able to

1. discuss the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and treatment of malignancies in cancer patients ;
2. assess the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and families ;
3. apply pain management using the standard pain assessment;
4. discuss the concepts of hospice palliative care and home care support systems in the community;
5. apply effective communication skills in the care of patients and families coping with death and dying; and
6. integrate knowledge on oncology and palliative care in a multidisciplinary approach on cancer patient care management.

Programme Structure

This programme provides an opportunity for health care professionals who are working at all levels in oncology to develop their knowledge and skills. 

Module 1 Haematological Oncology for Health Care Professionals: introduces the aetiology and treatment of haematological malignancies in adults. 

Module 2 General Oncology for Health Care Professionals: provides a basic understanding of the principles of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatment. 

Module 3 Palliative Care for Health Care Professionals: develops the specialised knowledge and skills of health care professionals working in hospice and or in oncology units.

Award

Students who choose to exit after completing Modules 1 and 2 will be awarded the Certificate in Oncology for Health Care Professionals (專業護理人員進修之腫瘤學證書).

Students who choose to exit after completing Module 3 will be awarded the Certificate in Palliative Care for Health Care Professionals (專業護理人員進修之紓緩護理證書).

On successful completion of Modules 1 to 3 , students will be awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE, the Diploma in Oncology and Palliative Care for Health Care Professionals (專業護理人員進修之腫瘤及紓緩護理文憑).

 

Clinical Placement

Students will be arranged an attachment to Oncology units in Hospital Authority and private sectors such as Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Surgical and CLinical Oncology Department and Palliative Medicine Unit. 

Application Code	2170-HS031B	-

Days / Time

• Thursday, 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Duration

• Module 1: 12 weeks
  Module 2: 18 weeks
  Module 3: 25 weeks

Venue

• United Learning Centre

Module 1:  Haematological Oncology for Health Care Professionals

Introduction

This module aims to introduce students to the aetiology and treatment of haematological malignancies. It focuses on the special care of patients with bone marrow transplantation, Hickman catheters, as well as common infections and standard control measures which are important to maintain an infection- free environment when caring for low body resistance cancer patients. The care of children with haematological diseases will also be covered.

Outline

1. Principle of medical oncology
2. Classification of cancer in haematology
3. Diagnostic and laboratory investigation
4. Psychosocial assessment and care management
5. Chemotherapy on cancer treatment
6. Special care management for bone marrow transplantation, patients with Hickman catheters and chemotherapy
7. Management of the immunocompromised and pancytopenic patient
8. Haematological emergencies
9. Clinical trial in haematology and bone marrow transplant (BMT)
10. Haematological diseases in paediatrics
11. Nutritional assessment and management
12. Ambulatory care for discharged bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients

Module 2:  General Oncology for Health Care Professionals

Introduction

This module aims to provide students a basic understanding of the principles of surgery; radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatment. It focuses on the classification of cancers and diagnostic procedures; the introduction of the different roles of health care professionals in the care of patients with cancer.  In additions, the understanding of the importance of team approach and special knowledge and skills unique in oncology care, such as surgical palliative care, bereavement counseling, pain management, psychosocial care and quality of life issue in oncology will be covered.

Outline

1. Cancer screening and prevention
2. Principle of surgical oncology
3. Principle of radiotherapy treatment, chemotherapy and biotherapy
4. Cancers of the brain and central nervous system – diagnosis and treatment and nursing management
5. Head, neck and oesophagus cancers – surgical and radiation treatment and nursing management
6. Lung cancer – diagnosis and treatment and nursing management
7. Cancer of liver, gallbladder and pancreas – diagnosis and treatment and nursing management
8. Colorectal cancer – diagnosis and treatment
9. Wound management for oncology patients
10. Rehabilitation; body image and sexuality
11. Skin cancers, bone tumours, – diagnosis and treatment and nursing management
12. Oncology emergency and ethical issues
13. Pain management – clinical approach and nursing approach
14. Multidisciplinary team approach in oncology – physiotherapy and occupational therapy

Module 3:  Palliative Care for Health Care Professionals

Introduction

This module aims to help students develop a better understanding of the concepts of palliative care and the multidisciplinary care approach for the terminally ill. It adopts a dynamic approach to look at the relevant issues, including symptoms control, pain management and the concepts of death and dying.

Outline

1. Hospice approach on late stage cancer and non-cancerous diseases
2. Palliative interventions
3. Skills development
4. Community care
5. Alternative therapeutic approach
6. Interdisciplinary team approach
7. Ethical issues

 

Clinical Placement (for each module)

Fulfill 40 hours of practicum and complete the Clinical Logbook for each module.

Total 160 clinical hours for the whole programme.

 

Assessment (for each module)

1. A minimum of 70% attendance rate;
2. Written Examination; and
3. Clinical Practicum and work based project with site visit

Applicants shall be

1. Registered Nurses registered with the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, preferably with two years of clinical experience, or
2. Allied Health Care Professionals, such as Registered Social Workers, Clinical Psychologists, Radiographers, Registered Practitioners in Chinese Medicine, Registered Pharmacists, Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists, registered with their respective professional bodies, preferably with two years of relevant experience.

Application Fee

HK$150 (Non-refundable)

Course Fee

• HK$30,000 (Subject to revision) + Clinical practicum fee / Site Visit fee (Subject to revision)
  Note: Students may purchase professional indemnity insurance on their own.
  

Application Form Application Form

Enrolment Method

• in person, at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centre, application form should be submitted together with the below supporting documents and application fee.
• by post, application form should be sent together with the below supporting documents and application fee either in the form of a crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to HKU SPACE.

1. A Copy of Hong Kong Identity Card;
2. A Copy of your Certificate of Registration;
3. A Copy of your Practising Certificate; and
4. Proof of work.

 

All forms should be sent to Food, Nutrition and Healthcare (Attn.: Ms Rosa YM Chan), 13/F, Fortress Tower, 250 King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong.  Please indicate Application for "the programme you are applying" on the cover of the envelope.

Payment Method

1. Cash, EPS Or WeChat Pay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS or WeChat Pay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

 

2. Cheque Or Bank Draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

• bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
• or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment sent by mail.

 

3. VISA/MasterCard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or MasterCard, including the “HKU SPACE MasterCard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE MasterCard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

 

 

Notes:

• For general and short courses, applicants may be required to pay the course fee in cash or by EPS, WeChat Pay, Visa or MasterCard if the course is to start shortly.
• Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, cheque or PPS (for online payment only) will normally be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will normally be reimbursed to the payment cardholder’s credit card account.
• In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
• Fees and places on courses cannot be transferred from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on approved transfers.
• Receipts will be issued for fees paid but HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of receipt sent by mail.
• For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.