Education and Training
Applications invited for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers’
Applications are invited for the 9th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers’.
Individuals who can commit, who have the time, and are willing to offer their services in palliative care facilities are invited to register for the course which aims to equip and empower ‘compassionate volunteers’ with relevant knowledge and interpersonal skills needed to volunteer in palliative care settings. The course will therefore place strong emphasis on communication skills, counselling skills, and the various psycho-social issues and its management, which a volunteer might potentially be faced with.
The course will be delivered in two components: a 16-hour virtual and theoretical ‘Part A’ component, and a 16 hour in-person practical ‘Part B’ component. Only those candidates successfully completing both components of the program will be eligible to receive the course completion certificate.
The 16-hour ‘Part A’ component of the course will be delivered over 6 days (2 hours each during the weekdays and 4 hours over the weekend) in November 2025. The theory sessions will be conducted between Thursday, 20th November and Tuesday, 25th November, 2025.
Last date to submit application: Saturday, 15th November 2025.
Please click here for further details and to register for the course.
Register now to participate in the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in the Physiotherapy – Palliative Care interface’
The IAPC is inviting registrations for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in the Physiotherapy – Palliative Care interface’, scheduled to be held on 27th , 28th, 29th , and 30th November 2025 (2-3 hours /day).
This course aims to not only enhance a physiotherapists’ understanding of how they can contribute towards the rendering of holistic palliative care, but also strives to educate the palliative care community on how physiotherapy can augment their patient care and symptom management.
Physiotherapists (BPT and MPT), Doctors practising Palliative Medicine (MBBS / BDS), and Nurses practising Palliative Care (BSc Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, or GNM) are invited to register for the course.
The course will be conducted between 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 27th and 28th, and between 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on 29th and 30th of November 2025. The theory sessions will be delivered by expert faculty from across the country.
Please click here for further information and to register for the same. Please note that the last date to register for the course is Saturday, 22nd November 2025.
Apply to participate in the IAPC’s ‘Foundation course in the Essentials of Psychosocial Issues in Palliative Care’
Applications are invited for the online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation course in the Essentials of Psychosocial Issues in Palliative Care‘.
The course content is curated to facilitate participants understand the psychosocial and spiritual issues that impact the quality of life of patients with chronic illness and their caregivers. The course aims to also equip participants with the basic skills required to counsel and communicate with patients / caregivers in such situations.
Qualified Doctors (MBBS / BDS), Nurses (BSc Nursing / GNM), Counsellors and Psychologists (BSc / MSc / MA in Psychology) and Social Workers (MSW) are invited to apply for this program.
The virtual course will be delivered over a week in December (3 hours over weekends; 2 hours over weekdays), between Monday, 1st December, 2025, and Sunday, 7th December, 2025 (both dates included).
Last date to submit applications: Wednesday 26th November, 2025 to participate in the program. For further information and to register, please click here.
Please click here for further details and to register for the course.
Rotary Club of Tirupati and IAPC conducted a regional program of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers’, 5th – 7th September 2025
The Rotary Club of Tirupati (Club ID 15818, RI District 3191) and the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), jointly conducted a regional program of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers’ at S. V. R. R. G. G. Hospital, Tirupati, between Friday, 5th September and Sunday, 7th September, 2025. The interactive program was attended by 27 participants.
Sessions began with Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC) welcoming the audience virtually. Dr. Joshi congratulated the organisers for their initiative. The inaugural session was graced by Dr. D. Sreehari Rao (Chairman, AP Medical Council) who attended as the Chief Guest. The event also had the presence of esteemed Guests of Honour: Dr. G. Ravi Prabhu (Principal, SV Medical College, Tirupati), Dr. P. Prashanth (Medical Director, SVICCAR, Tirupati), Dr. J. Radha (Superintendent, SVRRGG Hospital, Tirupati), Dr. V. Balakrishna Naik (District Medical and Health Officer, Tirupati), and Dr. G. Prameela Devi (Superintendent, Govt. Maternity Hospital, Tirupati). The program was presided over by Rotary Club leaders: Rtn. PHF K. Rajendra Chetty (President, Rotary Club of Tirupati), Rtn. M. Srikanth Reddy (Secretary, Rotary Club of Tirupati), and Rtn. Dr. K. Nagendra Kumar (Treasurer, Rotary Club of Tirupati).
The inaugural session set the tone for the three-day training, emphasizing the importance of volunteer engagement in palliative care and highlighting the commitment of medical and community leaders to improve access to compassionate care in the region.
The 19 sessions over the next 3 days were presented by expert faculty from the IAPC along with faculty from the region. Faculty delivered sessions (in alphabetical order): Dr. Bindu (IAPC), Dr. Ganpathy K. V. (IAPC), Dr. Kishore (Tirupati), Dr. Ravi Kiran (IAPC), Dr. Sreenivasa Rao (Tirupati), Dr. T. Bharathi, (Tirupati), Mr. Dean George (IAPC), Mr. Gunaranjan, (Puttaparthi), Mr. Terrymize I (IAPC), Ms. Hema (Tirupati), Ms. Michelle Normen (IAPC), Ms. Nisha Krishnadas and Ms. Archana Ganesh (IAPC), Ms. Vinutha Suresh (IAPC), and Dr. Roja Ramani (Tirupati).
The intense training program was designed to introduce participants to the principles and concepts of palliative care along with focusing on communication and basic psychosocial evaluation along with several case-based study and role plays. Sessions also focussed on how a volunteer could support home care teams by helping in the psycho-social evaluation and rehabilitation of a patient and their caregiver.
The sessions were well received by candidates. Excerpts from the feedback received as below:
“Gained deep understanding of Empathy”
“Realised Importance of Dignity, Symptoms Control, and Self Care”
“Helped me to understand the patient needs”
“IAPC lectures are impactful and resourceful”
“Role plays were excellent”
Course participants will now proceed towards participating in a 16-hour hands on training component at Palliative Care Units in Chennai, Bengaluru, Puttaparthi, and Hyderabad.
We extend our gratitude to our Course Coordinators, Dr. Ganapthy K. V., Dr. T. Bharathi, Ms. Nisha Krishnadas, and Mr. Terrymize I., and leaders and members from Rotary Club of Tirupati, for sharing their excellent support towards the successful implementation of this program.
The Academy of Palliative Medicine conducted its first ever PG Assembly between 20th and 21st September, 2025
The Academy of Palliative Medicine (APM) organized the first Palliative Medicine Post Graduate (PG) Assembly 2025 on Saturday, 20th September and Sunday, 21st September, 2025, at Bangalore Hospice Trust, Karunashraya, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The two-day academic and skill-building program brought together 13 MD / DNB Students from 10 centers across the country. A committed team of 9 expert faculty from the field of Palliative Medicine guided students over the weekend to provide an intensive learning program along with facilitating networking among peers. The PG Assembly successfully combined clinical case-based learning, procedural training (Viva voce, OSCE stations etc.), and communication skills development, ensuring a holistic training experience. With the guidance of eminent faculty and active participation of PG students, the event not only strengthened academic knowledge but also emphasized the compassionate ethos of palliative care.
The very successful, rich and immersive academic program concluded with the presentation of certificates and distribution of sweets to participants to symbolically wish them the best of luck for their upcoming examinations. The assembly was ably coordinated by Dr. Krithika Rao and Dr. Puneet Rathore.
The ‘Part A’ component of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’ was held successfully on 27th September, 2025
70 enthusiastic individuals from across the country participated in the ‘Part A’ component of the 8th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’, on Saturday, 27th September, 2025.
Post participation in the ‘Part A’ component of the course, participants will be empowered with adequate knowledge of commonly used drugs in Palliative Care for pain management and other symptoms. They were equipped with relevant knowledge regarding Essential Narcotic Drugs and Narcotic Drugs along with insights into the technical legalities and the documentation involved in procuring, storing, dispensing and documenting the same.
They will now proceed towards the 3-hour in-person ‘Part B’ training component of the course.
Excerpts from the feedback received as below:
"Quality information. Well organised. Learn from the best in India."
"All topics were covered in simple and precise manner. Resource persons explained very well, lectures were to the point."
The IAPC thanks Ms. Saroja Gangaiah and Dr. Brajesh Kumar Ratre (Course Chairs) and each of our faculty for their support towards this program. We also thank the course participants for their active participation during the course.
Special mention to Dr. Tashi Chotton from Arunachal Pradesh, who coordinated the enrolment of 54 government-sector candidates. This effort aims to empower professionals in the state’s public health system to strengthen palliative care delivery across all corners of this north-eastern state.
The 10th SARPS Congress on Pain Successfully Organized in New Delhi, 26th – 27th September, 2025
The 10th SARPS Congress on Pain was jointly organized by the South Asian Regional Pain Society (SARPS) and the Indian Society for the Study of Pain (ISSP), in collaboration with the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). The event, which featured both the main conference and related academic programs, was conducted in New Delhi from 22nd to 27th September 2025.
This prestigious congress offered rich academic programs, including the Pain Camp (22nd–24th September), a Refresher Course and Pre-Conference Workshop (25th September), and the Main Conference (26th–27th September).
The Conference Secretariat was led by Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar (Past President, IAPC), Dr. G. P. Dureja, Dr. Raghav Gupta, and Dr. Dhruv Bibra. Several IAPC members were also part of the organizing committee, including Dr. Deepa Khurana (Past Treasurer, IAPC) and Dr. Megha Pruthi (Past Treasurer, IAPC), along with other distinguished faculty.
A special highlight was the Workshop on “Palliative Care – Hospital Based Approach”, coordinated by Dr. Deepa Khurana and Dr. Dimple Pande, under the guidance of Dr. Kavita Rani Sharma (HOD, Anaesthesia & Intensive Care, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi). The workshop featured interactive lectures and a hands-on POCUS session, attracting over 35 participants from India and abroad, reflecting the growing interest of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedics in palliative medicine.
Another landmark moment of the congress was the delivery of the prestigious Dr. Abhijeet Bhattacharya Memorial Oration by Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar. Her address, “Pain Management in India: A Paradigm Shift”, captured the remarkable progress and evolving landscape of pain care in the country. Chaired by Dr. Mary Cardosa (President-Elect, IASP), Dr. Madhuri Lokapur, and Dr. Preeti Doshi, the session was packed to capacity and concluded with a standing ovation, acknowledging Dr. Bhatnagar’s outstanding contributions to pain and palliative medicine education, research, and advocacy.
The congress witnessed the participation of over 350 delegates, including more than 100 palliative care professionals—physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedics—from across the globe. The event was hailed as a resounding success, marking several firsts in the pain community for SARPS and ISSP.
Postgraduates in Palliative Care from India, along with doctors working in the field, won prizes in the quiz competition and in scientific presentations.
Three-Day Session on Paediatric Palliative Care Conducted by the Department of Palliative Medicine, TMH, Mumbai
A three-day training session on Paediatric Palliative Care was organized by the Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai, from 12th to 14th August 2025.
The program brought together 27 participants who actively engaged in interactive sessions designed to strengthen knowledge and skills in caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
The sessions were led by Dr. Jayita Deodhar, Dr. Raghu S. Thota, and Dr. Ganpathy K. V., along with other members of the Paediatric Palliative Care team from the Department of Palliative Medicine, TMH, who shared valuable insights and practical approaches to paediatric palliative car.
The training was well-received by the participants and helped deepen their understanding of this vital aspect of palliative care.
Workshop on Pain & Palliative Care for Paramedical Students at KGMU, Lucknow
The Pain Medicine Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, in collaboration with the Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, organized a Workshop on Pain and Palliative Care on 27th–28th August,2025.
The two-day workshop was designed for paramedical students, with a focus on ward rounds and hands-on training in essential procedures. A total of 26 participants attended and benefitted from the comprehensive sessions.
The workshop covered multiple aspects of palliative care, enriched by lectures and demonstrations from renowned faculty across various departments. The resource faculty included Dr. Sarita Singh (Course Coordinator), Dr. Nisha Mani Tripathi, Dr. Promila Verman, Dr. Rythem Bains, and Dr. Akancha Sonal.
Significant contributions were also made by nursing professionals and allied health experts, including Viji Nair, Madhu Sohu, Shivam Patel, Shri Kant, Mr. Pankaj, and Anjali, whose expertise added immense value to the training.
The workshop was highly appreciated by the participants, who gained practical skills and deeper insights into the principles of pain management and palliative care.
Update from the APM’s lecture series 3
Highlights from September 2025
The Academy of Palliative Medicine continued its Online Lecture Series 3 in September 2025, with weekly sessions every Monday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. The series, designed for postgraduate students in palliative medicine and moderated by senior faculty, offered enriching opportunities for evidence-based learning and peer exchange.
Topics, speakers and moderators for September 2025 were:
- 1st September – Evidence for Morphine in management of Chronic Breathlessness Syndrome
Speaker: Dr. Ashwini Bundhe | Moderator: Dr. Raghu SThota - 8th September – Evidence on the role of hormonal therapies in patients with advanced cancer
Speaker: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar | Moderator: Dr. Seema Mishra - 15th September – Evidence supporting the use of methylnaltrexone in opioid-induced constipation
Speaker: Dr. Santhini Chandran | Moderator: Dr. Praveen Kumar K - 22nd September – Evidence for parenteral adjuvant analgesia for managing neuropathic pain
Speaker: Dr. Vasundhra Sharma | Moderator: Dr. Lekha Raval - 29th September – Evidence for prognostication and prediction of mortality in end-stage heart failure
Speaker: Dr. Prashant Gadgile | Moderator: Dr. Raghu SThota
The September sessions were well appreciated by participants for their clinical relevance and clear evidence-based approach, reflecting the Academy’s ongoing commitment to advancing palliative care education.
Sessions planned for October 2025
We invite you to join us for the lectures scheduled for October 2025, from the APM’s online Lecture Series 3. Details as follows
