1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cancer

RH 1 Contents I. Introduction and Rationale for Certificate Course in Professional Oncological Caregiving .......................................................................................................................................... 3 II. About the Collaboration ....................................................................................................... 3 (i) About Tata Institute of Social Sciences .......................................................................................... 4 (ii) About Sanjeevani…Life Beyond Cancer ........................................................................................ 4 III. Goals and Objectives of the Course ................................................................................. 4 IV. Course Advisory Committee .............................................................................................. 4 V. Detailed Course Plan .............................................................................................................. 5 (i) Duration of the Course .......................................................................................................................... 5 (ii) List of Courses and Distribution of Credits .................................................................................. 5 (iii) Course Description ................................................................................................................................ 5 BC 1:Becoming an Effective Care Giver .................................................................................... 5 BC 2:Recovering Lost Ground: Roles of a Cancer Care Giver ....................................... 6 BC 3: Living With Cancer: Building Inner Fight and Fortitude in the Patient .... 7 BC 4: Development of Auxiliary Skills ...................................................................................... 9 On-­‐the-­‐Job Training (OJT) ............................................................................................................. 10 VI. Eligibility ............................................................................................................................... 10 VII. Application and Selection Process .............................................................................. 10 VIII. Fees ...................................................................................................................................... 11 IX. Incentives .............................................................................................................................. 11 X. Certification ........................................................................................................................... 11 XI. Job Placement ...................................................................................................................... 11 XII. Queries ................................................................................................................................. 11 2 I.
Introduction and Rationale for Certificate Course in Professional Oncological Caregiving Practioners identify delivery of affordable and equitable care for Cancer as one of the
greatest public health challenges confronting India. However, while there is shared
concern over less than commensurate availability of diagnostic and treatment
facilities to address an expected burgeoning of Cancer cases, relatively little is said
about the social care aspects of living with Cancer.
It is in anticipation of this unarticulated deficit that Tata Institute of Social Sciences
and Sanjeevani ... Life Beyond Cancer propose to introduce a “Certificate Course in
Professional Oncological Care Giving”. The express intent of the Course will be to
cultivate a pool of professional Oncology caregivers to function as aides to Cancer
patients. The course will commence with a batch of 20 candidates for a period of 4
months. Candidates successfully completing certification will receive references or
will be placed via organizations working with Cancer patients.
Positive diagnosis of Cancer challenges the entire sense of well-being of an
individual; resulting in psychological vulnerability and alienation. Patients need
dedicated supervision to successfully transition and settle into prescribed treatment
modules. Designated caregivers need to interpret symptoms of discomfort and
successively attend to the same. Wards also require regular counseling and
encouragement.
Professional caregivers therefore need to be seasoned handlers; mature and
competent enough to engage with patients, figure their needs and navigate them
through an elaborate and often-exhausting series of medical interventions.
Accordingly, the Course curriculum is designed to focus amply on empathetic,
emotive, nutritional, paramedical, physio-therapeutic as well as spiritual aspects of
oncological care. Pedagogy will combine regular and experimental classroom
teaching with immersive field training.
Finally, it is necessary to acknowledge that the burden of Cancer manifests as high
economic costs to affected households. Enfeeblement, loss of confidence, loss of
livelihood and socio-economic abandonment are common outcomes for an affected
individual.
This Course is part of a larger project of building a syncretic network involving
Cancer survivors and patients from all socio-economic categories. This Course
specifically, will attempt to place Cancer survivors from underprivileged backgrounds
with relatively affluent patients in need of care. The idea is not merely to further an
arrangement for rehabilitation of underprivileged Cancer survivors. Preference for
Cancer survivors is based on the belief that their personal tryst with Cancer makes
them superior carers.
II.
About the Collaboration The Course is on offer as the result of a joint initiative by TISS, Mumbai and
Sanjeevani…Life Beyond Cancer. Institutional and administrative support from Tata
Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is foundational to this Course. Sanjeevani…Life
Beyond Cancer, in turn has imparted visionary perspective and executive support to.
TISS and Sanjeevani. Life Beyond Cancer will jointly incubate the Course.
3 (i) About Tata Institute of Social Sciences TISS was established in 1936, as the Sir Dorabji Tata graduate school of Social
Work of national stature to meet the emerging need for trained human service
professionals. In 1944, it was renamed as the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. It
was accorded the status of a deemed university in 1964 and has been funded by the
University Grants Commission (UGC) since then.
Since its inception, TISS has been an institution of excellence in higher education
that continually responds to changing social realities through the development and
application of knowledge; towards creating a people-centered, ecologically
sustainable and just society that promotes and protects dignity, equality, social
justice and human rights for all.
Over the years, the Institute has made consistent contributions to civil society and
the development sector through its education, research, field action and extension.
TISS has earned recognition as an institution of repute from different Ministries of the
Government of India; various State Governments; international agencies such as the
United Nations; and the non-government sector, both national and international.
(ii) About Sanjeevani…Life Beyond Cancer Sanjeevani…Life Beyond Cancer facilitates hand-holding, counseling and
rehabilitation services for Cancer patients/survivors and arranges means for
emotional/financial/livelihood related restitution of survivors.
Sanjeevani…Life Beyond Cancer has heralded Cancer awareness programmes,
detection camps, Cancer survivor conferences, walkathons and awareness
campaigns for Cancer prevention and early detection. It is associated with seven
major hospitals out of which its collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital has led to
12 feature films on Breast Cancer awareness. All of these are available on their
official channel on youtube.com. Sanjeevani’s support therefore is a great asset to
this Course.
III.
Goals and Objectives of the Course The Program has a two-pronged goal- (1) to produce a pool of oncology care givers
and (2) to enable underprivilaged Cancer survivors pursue the dignified life of a
professional care giver.
Immediate objective of the Course is to dispatch Certified trainees as ‘cancer
buddies’ to Cancer patients for the provision of regular care and support in hospital
and residential spaces througha.
b.
c.
d.
IV.
Emotional support and counselling
Nutritional Support
Paramedical Assistance
Assistance with physiotherapy exercises as prescribed
Course Advisory Committee The Course has been planned and designed in consultation with a select committee
of core members and expert consultants.
4 Core MembersDr. Nasreen Rustomfram from Centre for Lifelong Learning, TISS;
Ms. Ruby Ahluwalia from Sanjeevani..Life Beyond Cancer;
Dr. Ashwani Kumar from School of Development Studies, TISS
Expert ConsultantsMs. Meenal Sawant, Nutritionist
Dr. Sharmishtha Majumdar, Honorary Doctor, TISS
Dr. Kanchan Mukherjee from School of Health Systems Studies, TISS
V.
Detailed Course Plan (i) Duration of the Course The Course will span 4 months with four weeks of classroom work followed by eight
weeks of field internship. Classroom sessions will be carried out of TISS, Mumbai
campus from Monday to Saturday between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Candidates will be delegated to organizations working with Cancer patients for field
internship. On-the-job training will happen from Monday to Saturday between 11:00
am and 6:00 pm. The tentative academic calendar is as followsTimeline
July 20, 2015
July 21- Aug 17, 2015 (Week 1-4)
Aug 18- Aug 24, 2015 (Week 5)
Aug 25- Aug 31, 2015 (Week 6)
Sep 1-Oct 26, 2015 (Week 7-14)
Course Plan
Commencement
Class Work
Exam Prep Break
Exam/ On-the-Job Training (OJT) Prep
OJT/OJT Evaluation
(ii) List of Courses and Distribution of Credits Course Title
BC 1
BC 2
BC 3
BC 4
Becoming an Effective Care Giver
Recovering Lost Ground: Roles of a Cancer Care Giver
Living with Cancer: Building Inner Fight and Fortitude in the Patient
Development of Auxiliary Skills
4 Basic Courses
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Total
Credits
2
2
2
2
8
8
16
(iii) Course Description BC 1:Becoming an Effective Care Giver
(30 Hours-­‐ 2 Credits) i)
INTRODUCTION:
This course will encourage the learner to look at one’s own self and reflect upon the
attitudes that they carry. It will create self-awareness of their values and beliefs in
dealing with illness, managing their emotions and stress arising out of the care-giving
5 function. It is a foundational course, which will strengthen their motivation, create
empathy and compassion in their work with those affected by Cancer.
ii)
LEARNER’S OBJECTIVES:
•
•
•
The Learner will be guided to reflect on their attitudes towards health and wellbeing.
Become aware of their own strengths and limitations in responding to the illness
and care-giving as a function
Be more effective in managing their emotion, coping with stress and burnout and
dealing with grief and bereavement
iii)
•
•
•
•
•
•
COURSE CONTENTS
Understanding Yourself: My values and beliefs, self-awareness through the
Johari Window Model. (6 Hours)
Interpersonal Skills: Developing and Maintaining Trust, Developing
Communication Skills through practicing listening and giving and receiving
feedback, Communicating with family care givers. (8 Hours)
Management of Emotions: Identifying and Expressing Feelings, Understanding
how feelings affect you as a care giver, deal appropriately and constructively with
one’s own feelings and emotions; and those of others. Understand how to deal
with depression. (6 Hours)
Managing Stress and Burnout: What is stress and how is it caused,
recognizing signs of stress and burnout, techniques for dealing with stress and
burn out. (4 Hours)
Understanding Grief and Bereavement: Learning to deal with grief and
bereavement through the Model of Elizabeth Kubler Ross. (4 Hours)
Developing a positive outlook, resilience and an appropriate sense of humor. (2
Hours)
BC 2:Recovering Lost Ground: Roles of a Cancer Care Giver
(30 Hours-­‐ 2 Credits) i)
INTRODUCTION
This course will provide a brief introduction to Cancer, orienting learners with the
types, spread and risk factors associated with Cancer. It will fix ideas on how and
under what conditions Cancer invades and colonizes the human body. Subsequently
medical support skills necessary to provide rehabilitative care to Cancer patients will
be imparted to the learners.
ii)
•
•
•
LEARNER OBJECTIVES
The Learner will acquire scientific conceptual clarity on the nature and effects
of Cancer
Learners will be drilled to study their patient and assess the nature of each
medication before putting the patient on any prescribed regime. This is
important because as a care giver, the learner will have to subsequently
monitor the effect of each drug on the patient and report irregular reactions if
any are observed
Overall the learner will be trained to maintain steady communication with the
medical team and emerge as an intelligent and informed resource who could
help the team fully understand the holistic needs of their patient
6 •
•
Learner will acquire an annotated set of skills for bed-side management of
Cancer patients.
Leaners will be trained to care for wounds; and monitor and tend to side
effects of radiation and chemotherapy. iii)
COURSE CONTENTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Human body and Cancer: Basic review of human anatomy and effect of
Cancer (2.5 Hours)
Types of Cancer and Prevalence in India: Known causes and risk factors,
dispelling common myths and misconceptions (2.5 Hours) GUEST
FACULTY
Post Diagnostic Response of a Care Giver: Learning about Medication,
Implementing Treatment Plan, Fixing timing and Dosage of Medication,
Reporting Irregularities to family and Oncologist etc. (4 Hours)
Bed-Side Management of Cancer Patients: Administering primary care;
maintaining hygiene; controlling for infections; interpreting signs and
symptoms of discomfort; managing emotional distress; tending to loss of
appetite,
constipation,
nausea,
vomiting,
depression,
diarrhea,
breathlessness, seizures; nursing scars, wounds, falls, fever, cramps, sores;
counseling patient on changes in appearance and sexual drive; managing
feeding tubes, IV lines, catheters and oxygen supply, maintaining records of
weight, muscle wasting, pulse, blood pressure and respiration etc. (8 Hours)
Pain Management: Medication, Emotional Support and Counseling,
Proffering supplementary relief methods like Skin Stimulation, Meditation etc.
(3 Hours)
Managing adverse effects of Systemic Therapy: Administering premedication; Managing or minimizing side effects of Radiation Therapy,
Hormone Therapy, Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy (4 hours)
Administering Palliative Care: Switching from Active therapy to end of life
care, tending to physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the
patient, tending to common physical problems of terminal patients like pain,
dyspnea, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, dysphagia and edema. (4 Hours)
BC 3: Living With Cancer: Building Inner Fight and Fortitude in the
Patient
(30 Hours-­‐ 2 Credits) i)
INTRODUCTION
This Course will deal with two primary extra-clinical components of Cancer Care- (1)
Diet and Nutritional Care for Cancer Patients and (2) Role of Physiotherapy, Yoga
and Spirituality in Cancer Care.
Part 1: The Course will shed light on how nutrition does play a crucial role in
management of Cancer. It will be discussed if diet imbalance could be a contributing
factor in causing diseases. Learners will be introduced to the essentials of nutrition
and braced with information necessary to provide efficient Cancer care. (10 Hours)
Part 2: Cancer and its various treatments are associated with a wide range of
distressing physical and psychological symptoms, which can affect patients for many
years following the end of treatment. Physiotherapy can play an important role in
restoring physical function, minimizing pain and improving the patient’s
7 independence and quality of life. Also, Yoga and spiritual support can help patients
cope with the debilitating effects of cancer by reducing anxiety, depression and fear.
(20 Hours)
This course will equip the caregiver with essential knowledge of nutrition,
Physiotherapy, Yoga and Spirituality to enable the patients to manage their bodies
and mind during and post cancer treatment.
ii)
•
•
•
•
LEARNER OBJECTIVES
Learners will
Identify the fundamental principles of nutrition and learn practical
implementation of the same while offering Cancer care.
Learn to understand the impact of Cancer and Cancer treatment on the
physical, emotional and spiritual state of the patient
Develop knowledge and understanding of Physiotherapy and gain basic
knowledge of the curative and revitalizing powers of Yoga and Spirituality.
Learn physiotherapy exercises and Yoga exercises to help patients with
bodily mobility and strength iii)
COURSE CONTENTS
PART 1:
• Basic Nutrition and the Human Digestive System: Understanding Food
and its relation to nutritional status; Nutrients (Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats,
Dietary Fibers, Water, Vitamins and Minerals) and their functions, food
sources and deficiency symptoms; Understanding Health, Nutrition and
metabolism; Stages contributing to process of Nutrition (Ingestion, Digestion,
Absorption, Transport, Assimilation, Excretion) (4 Hours)
• Role of Foods in Cancer Prevention, Metabolic Changes in Cancer and
Nutritional Care in Cancer: Antioxidant nutrients, their roles and food
sources; Phyto-chemicals, their roles and food sources; Understanding
Health, Nutrition and metabolism; Stages contributing to process of Nutrition
(Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Transport, Assimilation, Excretion); Various
treatment therapies for Cancer and their possible side effects; Side effects of
Cancer therapy and suggested dietary management. (3 Hours)
• Food Safety and Diet for Cancer Patients: Maintaining Personal Hygiene;
Precautions while preparation and storage of food; Various treatment
therapies for Cancer and their possible side effects; Side effects of Cancer
therapy and suggested dietary management. (3 Hours)
PART 2:
• Fundamentals of Physiotherapy: Introduction, General Examination,
Biomechanics, Exercise Therapy. (2 Hours)
• Effect of Cancer on Human Body: Study of various physical symptoms due
to cancer and cancer treatment such as lymphedema, fatigue, excessive
weight gain, weight loss, disability, etc. (2 Hours)
• Physical Therapy Techniques:
- Therapeutic Exercise – relaxation, massage, muscle re-education
- Electrical modalities – low-frequency & high-frequency neuromuscular
stimulation
- Thermal modalities – Cyrotherapy, heating agents, hydrotherapy
8 Mechanical Modalities - Traction therapy, Compression Therapy,
Therapeutic Taping and Continuous Passive Motion
- Manual physical therapy – Myofascial, Articular, Neural (6 Hours)
Introduction to Yoga: Principles of Yoga, Yoga Sutras and Spiritual
Philosophy. (2 Hours)
Yoga for Cancer Patients:
- Principles of Pranayaam and its benefits for Cancer patients
- Exploring basic Yoga postures and movement, Breathing Practices,
Meditation, Yoga Nidra, and their adaptation for people with cancer
- Learning Asanas (physical postures), Breathing exercises and
Meditation
- Studying the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as they apply to illness and
disease, while simultaneously examining one’s personal relationship
with death, dying, and end-of-life issues (6 Hours)
Spiritual support for Cancer Patients: Attitude towards spirituality;
supporting the patient’s spiritual journey through openness and empathy. (2
Hours)
-
•
•
•
BC 4: Development of Auxiliary Skills
(30 Hours-­‐ 2 Credits) i.
INTRODUCTION
Care workers function under a huge burden of responsibility. The task is all
consuming and allows little room for error. Minor slips could result in dire
consequences. This module will suggest a set of simple practical and organizational
tools to enable care givers to sort priorities, standardize and routinize tasks and have
advance visibility of check-ups, appointments etc.
Suggested tools help define the contours of the care giving process and help
sequentialize tasks, making the process comprehensible and manageable.
ii.
Learners will
Pick up techniques to manage their work better and operate with greater
efficiency
Learn to prepare care plans, schedules and checklists
Refine soft skills to proficiently communicate with medical team, family and
patient; interpret instructions and effectively articulate observations.
•
•
•
iii.
•
•
•
•
•
LEARNER OBJECTIVES
COURSE CONTENTS
Referrals and Co-ordination: Neat and accessible maintenance of contacts;
Familiarizing self with practitioners, treatment facilities and respective
specializations; Co-coordinating appointments; Maintaining Calendar Plans
etc. (2 Hours)
Preparing a Care Plan (6 Hours) GUEST FACULTY
Learning Mobile Phone based Digital Communication for Daily
Reporting (4 Hours)
Communicative English (10 Hours)
Vocabulary Building: Familiarization with and memorization of selection of
useful names, terms and concepts (5 Hours)
9 Databank Support: Familiarization with Handbook of government and nongovernment schemes offering low cost or concessional treatment of Cancer,
Introduction to information booklet on standard referrals, follow-up protocols
and accommodation (to help candidates guide families visiting the city for
treatment). (1 Hour)
•
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
(240 Hours, 8 Credits) i.
INTRODUCTION
Field instruction provides an opportunity for learners to integrate classroom learning
with practice. Students get the opportunity to test out in ‘reality’ the relevance and
applicability of knowledge, values and skills obtained in the classroom.
ii.
LEARNER OBJECTIVES
Students will:
• Obtain exposure to the heterogeneous nature of patients
• Apply knowledge and skill gained in the classroom under the guidance
of local supervisor
• Interact with and learn from experienced care professionals
• Engage in direct care delivery to Cancer patients and interact with
their family members and support networks.
iii.
OJT PLAN
Fieldwork will consist of supervised placement of students in institutions like
hospitals, recovery centers or nursing homes. One on-site supervisor, preferably a
nurse, will be appointed for each group of five students. A continuous assessment of
student fieldwork will take place through supervisory reports of Program Coordinator
on student recordings/journal entries. There may be a mid placement review followed
by final evaluation of student performance guided by prescribed assessment tools.
VI.
Eligibility Applications will be screened basis following selection preferencesa. Strong commitment to serve
b. Minimum educational qualification- 9th Pass; with good writing and
communication skills in Hindi and Marathi and basic English Literacy
c. Ages between 21 and 40
Applications from cancer survivors will be preferred, however admission is open to
non-survivors as well. Intake is limited to 20 candidates.
VII.
Application and Selection Process Interest candidates may apply for the Course by filling in their details in the
Application Form (see appendix) and submit the same with enclosures to the
Section Officer STP, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar,
Mumbai 400 088.
10 Shortlisted applicants will be called for Personal Interview. List of candidates clearing
interview will be notified on the Institute Notice Board and on the Sanjeevani
Website.
Date
June 1-June 30, 2015
July 1-July 2, 2015
July 5, 2015
July 6-July 10, 2015
July 20, 2015
VIII.
Event
Application Window
Personal Interviews
Announcement of Selection and Telephonic Intimation
Admission Window
Course Commencement
Fees Candidates taking admission will be required to remit a one-time admission fee of
Rs. 3000/-, which is refundable upon successful completion of the Course. Last
date for payment of fees is July 10, 2015.
IX.
Incentives Candidates procuring admission to the Course will be eligible for the following
benefitsa. Stipend of Rs. 1500/month to each candidate
b. Mid-day meal facility to all candidates on all days of classroom
teaching
c. Refund option for one time admission fee on successful completion of
Course
d. Placement guidance and help
X.
Certification Candidates will have to meet minimum requirement for attendance (75% of each
Course including Field Practicum) and clear examinations based on classroom
teachings. Candidates will also need to achieve a minimum grade of C+ on the 10point UGC scale on the evaluation of their fieldwork performance to be declared
eligible to certification.
XI.
Job Placement Programme Coordinator will assist and guide wherever possible placements of
trained onco care givers with the patients undergoing treatment through doctors in
hospitals, Cancer institutes, recovery centers, nursing homes etc.
XII.
Queries Any queries regarding the Course, registration or payment may be addressed to
cc.oncocare@gmail.com.
11