GEP Medicine in Society Handbook 2019/20

Aims

To introduce the students to the topic of cancer and its impact on the patient, their family and carers, the primary healthcare team and the wider health and social care professionals.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the day the students will be able to: 

• Identify the key National Government strategies that impact on the primary care team 
• Describe the national campaigns for screening for cervical breast and bowel cancer and the stigma around uptake in primary care
• Describe the public health campaigns and the role of the GP, in improving earlier diagnosis of cancer
• Identify the wider health and social care team that can be involved with a patient with cancer
• Describe the common red flag symptoms that may indicate a cancer diagnosis.
• Describe the impact of a cancer diagnosis on the patient (or their carer) and their primary care team.

Preparatory work

Please read about the NHS Cancer Plan through the link http://www.england.nhs.uk/cancer

Please watch

Look at the website from the NHS campaign on raising awareness of cancer.

Look at one or two videos on patient experiences of cancer through healthtalk.org website.

Suggested activities

1. Small group tutorial (e.g. on screening for cancers and debates surrounding its efficacy; clinical signs & symptoms of different cancers; two week wait referrals)

2. Sit ins with GP or nurse looking at possible pathways for referral for cancer investigation (including two Week Wait)

3. Visit to/from an Allied Health/social care professional/cancer charity support/Bereavement group

4. Debrief after meeting with patients with a cancer diagnosis and impact on the students and healthcare team

Further reading/resources

Interesting Film/books:         

Paul Kanathi - When Breath Becomes Air

Atul Gawande -   Being Mortal

John Diamond - C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too 

Ruth Picardie - Before I Say Goodbye

https://drkategranger.wordpress.com/page/6/