Course: Accompanying the Dying and Survivors

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Course title Accompanying the Dying and Survivors
Course code PVL/VC047
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study 4
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 1
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Hošťálková Marta, ThLic. PhDr. Th.D., Ph.D.
Course content
The course includes a self-experience and seminar part. In the self-experience part, students work in groups with pre-filled questionnaires that reflect their thoughts about their experiences with dying, death and losses in life. The emphasis is on becoming aware of the emotions associated with death and coping with mortality. In the seminar part, students learn the principles of communication with dying patients and methods of supporting survivors, which they practice in triads (doctor - client - observer), while working with case studies from the practice of palliative care and survivor counselors.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Demonstration, Projection (static, dynamic), Training in job and motor Skils, Activating (Simulations, Games, Dramatization)
Learning outcomes
The aim of the seminar is to respond to the students' experiences from practice, during which they encounter dying patients and survivors. Students are guided to reflect on their own experiences in the area of ??death, dying and mourning, their acceptance and coping with them. They learn to identify the needs of the dying, focusing on their social relationships, psychological experiences, and spiritual orientation and to respond to them. They will gain insight into the area of ??psychological, social and spiritual support and care for survivors, which will be presented through case studies from the practice of counselors for survivors. They will become familiar with the principles of communication with the dying and their families, which they will practice on model situations provided from the clinical practice.
Students are able to perceive death as a natural part of life and understand the needs of the dying and their families, have a concrete idea of ??human dignity with regard to dying, have knowledge of the principles of communication with the dying client and his family, as well as the phase of coping with death in clients and families, and are able to apply them in practice within the framework of communication.
Prerequisites
Before the start of the class, the student will complete a questionnaire focused on self-reflection in the area of ??death and dying and bring it to the seminar.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Dialog, Systematic Observation of Student

Active participation of students in seminars, asking questions, working in groups, discussions, self-reflection.
Recommended literature
  • Ptáček, R., Bartůněk, P., Hošťálková, M. (2024). Bolest v medicíně. Praha: Grada.
  • Steinlauf, B., Milfait, R. Etika a právo v péči o rodiny po ztrátě dítěte: perinatální ztráta a perinatální paliativní péče. Praha: Grada. 2024.
  • Špatenková, N., Friedlová, M. (2024). Zármutek dětí a dospívajících. Praha: Grada.
  • Špatenková, N. Poradenství pro pozůstalé: principy, proces, metody. Praha: Grada. 2013.
  • Worden, W.J. (2018). Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Study plan (Version): - (2021) Category: Medical sciences 4 Recommended year of study:4, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Study plan (Version): - (2025) Category: Medical sciences 4 Recommended year of study:4, Recommended semester: Winter