Nursing and Midwifery Sciences REPLICA S. CAMILLO

The course aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of the principles, organizational models, and professional competencies underpinning palliative care, fostering a holistic approach to individuals affected by progressive or incurable diseases. Through a learning pathway structured according to Bloom’s taxonomy, students progressively acquire theoretical, methodological, and critical knowledge necessary for advanced nursing practice in palliative settings. They gain a solid understanding of the conceptual and regulatory foundations of palliative care, exploring its definition as an active, global, and multidimensional approach aimed at relieving physical, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering. Students are familiarized with the national legal framework, including Law No. 38 of March 15, 2010 on access to palliative care and pain therapy, Law No. 219 of December 22, 2017 on informed consent and advance directives, and related legislation on living wills, which enshrine the principle of patient self-determination. They develop comprehension of the ethical, relational, and organizational principles guiding palliative assistance and analyze the operational models of home-based and hospice care, recognizing their specificities, requirements, and the role of the multidisciplinary team. Students are able to apply this knowledge to the planning and delivery of care for individuals in advanced stages of illness, tailoring interventions to the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients and families while preserving dignity and quality of life. Through systematic literature review, they develop critical appraisal skills for evaluating scientific evidence related to palliative interventions, organizational models, and caregiver support, and they assess the quality and effectiveness of care against clinical and organizational standards. Furthermore, students are encouraged to elaborate personal reflections on ethical dilemmas related to end-of-life decision-making, informed consent, and the proportionality of treatment. Finally, through the sharing and discussion of scientific articles, they enhance their research, communication, and critical-thinking skills, designing individualized care pathways and quality improvement projects based on Evidence-Based Practice, thereby promoting a palliative care culture grounded in science, ethics, and humanity.

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