This course expands on topics covered in IPODE: Sexual Health in Cancer Part 1 (IPOD).

The framework of this course encourages course participants to develop more advanced knowledge and skill in:

1. Evidence based interventions for common cancer related sexual issues;
   
   
2. Analysis of case studies to develop treatment plans.
   
   
3. Interprofessional knowledge and skill.

Attention to meeting the needs of diverse populations will be integrated throughout. Course participants are expected to present their own cases during the seminar for discussion. This course is 7 weeks in length, including one orientation week.

Course Syllabus

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Develop increasing comfort and skill in assessing the range of sexual health issues that arise in cancer care.
  
  
• Incorporate attention to couple relationship concerns in addressing sexual health, recognizing boundaries between couple therapy and sex counselling, particularly when referral to specialists in the area couples therapy might be appropriate.
  
  
• Develop comfort in discussing sexual concerns with people from a variety of backgrounds (e.g. LGBT communities, heterosexual, immigrant populations, and persons with disabilities).
  
  
• Develop a working knowledge of the application of basic sex therapy techniques for common sexual issues in cancer care using the PLISSIT model. The emphasis in this course will be on the SS (specific suggestions) and IT (intensive therapy). Intensive therapy in this context is not intended to denote couples therapy, but rather more involved psychoeducational /coaching skills.
  
  
• Develop theoretical understandings of collaboration and both inter-and trans-professional team work in the context of sexual health care, including forming and maintaining interprofessional relationships and teams and conflict management strategies.
  
  
• Understand the roles, responsibilities and professional capabilities of members of other professions.
  
  
• Enhance self-awareness, cultural safety and relational practices for effective interprofessional team work, as well as awareness of personal strengths and areas of growth.
  
  
• Analyze practice environments and their influence on team collaboration and provision of sexual health care. “Practice environment” is understood to include community.
  
  
• Demonstrate understanding of professional boundaries, scope and ethics.
  
  
• Describe strategies for self-care.

MODE OF LEARNING

The main mechanisms to facilitate learning in this course will entail eLearning and seven 1.5 hour "Live" sessions with a faculty facilitator once each week using real time conference session using Contact North (“Live Classroom”) starting on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 - 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Toronto, Canada time) )  Live sessions are mandatory for this course. We realize that being available for all the live classroom sessions may be difficult due to unforeseen circumstances, so we allow up to 2 missed sessions.  The live sessions are recorded for you to review at any time after the session.

• Monday, October 30^th – Access to the eLearning Centre will open
  
  
• Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – 1^st Live session
  
  
• Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – 2^nd Live session
  
  
• Tuesday, November 21, 2023 – 3^rd Live session
  
  
• Tuesday, November 28, 2023 - 4^th Live session
  
  
• Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 5^th Live session 
  
  
• Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – 6^th Live session
   
• Tuesday, December 19, 2023  – 7^th and final live session
  
  
• Monday, January 1 , 2024 – eLearning will close

Using guided activities and exercises, the small groups will have opportunities to develop and practice interprofessional collaboration skills as well as opportunities to learn from, with and about each other.

• Students are expected to use the online resources to do independent work for the unit. On line resources include content modules, case studies, interviews, narratives, plays, and other dramatic productions.
  
  
• Students are expected to take responsibility for ensuring that their computer system is configured for the course site. Computers used at your agency will need to be configured by your own IT department due to firewalls and other barriers such as administrator rights. Simple directions are provided in the de Souza Institute tutorials and will also be available on the course site. Please ensure that you look after this before the course video conference session begins. Failure to do so will result in frustration and inconvenience not only for you but also for your group. 

 To view the full course syllabus and course timeline, please click HERE.

Eligibility

This course is designed for regulated health care professionals in hospitals, cancer centres and the community who provide care to those expe­riencing cancer, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers and others. 

Funding Opportunities: Please click HERE for more details.

Group pricing is available when you have 3 or more courses or participants. Click HERE for more details.

Payment must be received by October 16, 2023 . For more information, please visit our Cancellation & No Show Policy.

Participants can pay for this course through ePortfolio by MasterCard or Visa, or send a cheque to: