Exercise Oncology (11547.1)

Research has established that exercise as an adjuvant therapy for the management of cancer is highly impactful in reducing the side effects of treatment and quality of life during and beyond treatment. This unit introduces students to cancer and the impact of exercise and behaviour change on people diagnosed with cancer. Students will gain knowledge of different cancer types, the implications of a diagnosis and issues faced across the lifespan. In addition, this unit will address the evidence based clinical management of cancer patients and survivors and best practice patient management strategies in relation to physical activity and exercise. Students will develop an understanding of the roles and scope of practice of the multidisciplinary management teams involved in the health care of a patient going through cancer treatment and beyond.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate broad factual, technical and theoretical knowledge of the evidence-based principles in exercise for cancer patients and survivors;
2. Consider medications, surgical, medical and allied health interventions/ treatments, clinical and safety risks and their implications on clinical status, exercise and functional capacity in the design and delivery of safe and effective exercise for individual clients;
3. Understand the contextual complexities of exercise management for cancer patients and survivors with different cancers at different stages of their disease to identify and respond to changes in clinical status, co-morbidities, exercise and functional capacity, between and during exercise sessions;
4. Demonstrate a well-developed understanding of the interpersonal communication and behavioural change strategies that would be employed when working with cancer patients and survivors; and
5. Display well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility when working as part of a multidisciplinary team working with cancer patients and survivors.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

12135 Exercise Programming and Prescription for Health AND
11545 Clinical Conditions 1

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.