Since 2001, CanSupport has organized an Annual Foundation Course in Palliative Care in collaboration with the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS for doctors, nurses, counsellors and other interested individuals.
Course Objectives
- To introduce the principles of palliative care to a multi-disciplinary group of doctors, nurses, counselors, social workers and paramedical workers
- To equip participants with knowledge and skills to improve pain and symptom control of patients under their care at home, hospital or hospice
- To enable participants to improve their communication skills and handle difficult issues, such as breaking bad news and coping with loss and grief
Course Details
The course is an intensive, multidisciplinary introduction to the growing specialty of palliative care. Although the focus is on patients with advanced cancer, the principles discussed are applicable to the care of all patients with life-limiting illnesses. It is a practical structured course aiming to tackle the subject of palliative care in the Indian context.
Venue
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
Duration
Two full days
Calendar
March, every year
Accreditation
About 14 CME hours from Delhi Medical Council
Fee
Rs 1000 per person (Includes CME certificate, information material and meals)
Curriculum
The course covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Scope and principles of palliative care
- Negotiating the goals of care
- Role of multidisciplinary team in palliative care
- Pain management and symptom control (including use of oral morphine in pain management)
- Nursing needs and care in the terminally ill
- Breaking bad news
- Loss, grief and bereavement
- Communication skills
- Final days and last hours of living
- Psycho-oncology: depression, anxiety and delirium
- Working with families-care giver respite
- Emotional and spiritual needs
- Ethical issues
- Professional self-care