Competency: 30

Details

Where appropriate, provide patient counselling support as required and identify and communicate need for referral for further support as required.

Considerations

Patient Management and Support

• Patient evaluation and referrals
• Management of patient’s fears/anxiety and ability to empathise with patients in stressful situations, and the manifestations of anxiety/pain and the range of methods available in their management and control.
• Personal and professional interaction with terminally ill patients, including counselling skills.
• Theories and evidence base underpinning health-related behaviour.
• The effects of drugs, allergies and lifestyle factors on patient health and rehabilitation.
• Risks and benefits of care/management for the patient and their family/partners/carers.
• Common psychosocial disorders (abnormal psychology, anxiety, depression, psychoses, eating disorders, alcoholism and drug addiction).
• Recognition and appropriate care of patients with tissue conditions (psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, dry mouth and sore mouth/ mouth burning syndromes).
• The effects of physical and mental conditions on the ability to manage devices.
• Process of grief and loss.
• Body image and effect of altered body image.
• Patient-centred counselling skills, including the importance of appropriate location and the amount of time devoted to the task.
• Role of support groups (physical and internet).
• Principles of patient education and supporting patients to be actively involved in their care.
• Quality of life outcome measurement and analysis.
• Care pathways and referral for social and psychological support.
• Quality of life outcomes.

Relevant learning outcomes