The Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates (PCC4U) project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health to support the integration of palliative care principles within all health undergraduate and entry to practice curricula. The project provides a suite of free, evidence based and expert reviewed learning resources for use in health student education. These include a focus topic Caring for Aboriginal people with life-limiting illnesses.
This topic is based on the core principles of palliative care and aims to assist students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality care, across various health care settings, to Aboriginal people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Case-based learning activities provide an opportunity for students to explore the practice principles of caring for Aboriginal people with life-limiting illnesses and to consider how they can ensure the care they provide is culturally safe. The accompanying video vignettes follow the story of Tom, a 55 year old Aboriginal man with advanced lung cancer and multiple metastases. The case commences with Tom collapsing at home then progresses to his admission to hospital extremely breathless and with his disease at end stage. Discussion between the nurse and the hospital Aboriginal Liaison Officer highlights several key issues to consider when caring for an Aboriginal family. 3
The resources can be accessed at www.pcc4u.org or by contacting the project team at pcc4u@qut.edu.au.
