Program Overview

Introduction to the Palliative Care Specialization

The Palliative Care: It's not Just Hospice Specialization is designed to support people living with serious, life-limiting, chronic illness. This program covers core concepts on the nature of suffering and demonstrates how to evaluate suffering through realistic patient scenarios.

About This Specialization

People living with serious, life-limiting, chronic illness experience significant suffering. Fortunately, there are new and developing treatments that may cure some and improve survival for many people living with serious illness. However, seriously ill people and their loved ones still experience many distressing physical symptoms as well as spiritual, social, and psychological distress. This specialization aims to support people to live well with serious and life-limiting illness by understanding the causes of suffering, using effective communications, and incorporating careful assessments and interventions designed to address specific needs.

Program Details

• Language: English
• Level: Beginner
• Commitment: 3 months at 8 hours/week

Specialization Overview

The Palliative Care Specialization consists of 4 courses, followed by a Capstone project:

• What is Palliative Care?
• Pain Management: Erasing Pain in Palliative Care
• Easing Physical Symptoms
• Psychosocial and Spiritual Aspects of Palliative Care
• Capstone Project

This specialization will enable participants to support people to live active and full lives despite serious illness, by learning and practicing specific skills to improve communication with patients and families, and addressing specific problems such as physical pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath, as well as psychological issues like depression and anxiety. Spiritual and social distress will also be discussed, with a focus on the practical evaluation and management of these challenges.