Education and Training
Celebrating the ‘Ideal Palliative Care Physician’
We are pleased to share with our readers an insightful infographic that visually portrays the diverse roles, competencies, and values that define the Ideal Palliative Care Physician.
Palliative care is a unique specialty that combines clinical expertise with compassion, communication, and a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life of patients and families facing serious illness. The role of a palliative care physician extends beyond symptom management to encompass holistic care, teaching, research, advocacy, leadership, teamwork, and support across the continuum of care.
Serving both as a celebration of the profession and an educational resource, this infographic offers a comprehensive visual representation of the multifaceted responsibilities of palliative care physicians.
The infographic, titled “The Ideal Palliative Care Physician,” has been developed by Dr Raghu S. Thota (Professor, Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai, and Editor, Indian Journal of Palliative Care).
The Indian Association of Palliative Care congratulates Dr Raghu S. Thota on this excellent contribution, which serves as an inspiration to professionals dedicated to the field of palliative care.
Apply Now for the IAPC’s Foundation Course in Essentials of Palliative Care
Admissions Close on Friday, 3rd July, 2026
Applications are invited from Doctors and Nurses for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in the Essentials of Palliative Care’, July 2026 batch.
This basic course in palliative care is intended for doctors and nurses, aiming to integrate the principles of palliative care in everyday practice, enhancing patient care through proper communication and management of difficult symptoms.
This course will be delivered as two components:
- Part A: A mandatory online theory ‘Part A’ component, and
- Part B: A practical hands-on ‘Part B’ component (recommended but optional).
The completion of both Part A and B will help the Doctors to procure RMI Status for the medical institution where they work fulltime. The RMI licence is essentials for procuring and stocking NDPS drugs.
Part A: Online theory sessions
The theory sessions have been scheduled outside regular working hours to accommodate professionals’ busy schedules and enhance the participation.
Select Clinical sessions will be held separately for Doctors and Nurses.
Eligibility and Course Fee
- Doctors (MBBS/BDS), Rs. 10, 000
- Nurses (BSc Nursing/ GNM), Rs. 4000
Part B: Practical hands-on sessions
Eligibility
- Candidates scoring a minimum 50% marks in the final theory examination for FCEPC and 50% in the assignment will be eligible to proceed for Part B Clinical Posting- 10 days Hands on Training – at an IAPC authorised course centre.
Fee
- There is no additional fee payable to the IAPC for Part B clinical posting. However, course centres may levy a nominal fee for the clinical posting as per their institutional policy. Candidates may contact the respective centres directly for detailed fee information.
Last Date for application submission: The last date to submit applications for the July 2026 batch of Foundation Course in Essentials of Palliative Care: Friday, 3rd July, 2026
Application Portal: For further details about the course and to submit e-applications, please click here.
Applications are Invited for IAPC’s Foundation Course in Physiotherapy – Palliative Care Interface; Course Dates: 26th and 27th June, 2026
The IAPC is inviting registrations for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in the Physiotherapy – Palliative Care interface’, scheduled to be held on Friday, 26th and Saturday, 27th June, 2026.
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 on Friday, 26th June, 2026, between 8.40 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. and Saturday, 26th June, 2026 between 1.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.
Please click here for further information and to register for the same.
Please note that the last date to register for the course is Monday, 22nd June, 2026.
Last Few Days to Apply for IAPC’s Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care
Registrations Closing Soon
The 3rd cohort of this six-month training programme for doctors is scheduled to commence on 4th July 2026. The course has been designed to enhance clinical skills and empower healthcare professionals to make a meaningful difference in patient care. The programme offers a comprehensive blended learning experience, combining virtual teaching with in-person clinical exposure.
Course Highlights:
- 600 hours of carefully curated blended learning delivered over 6 months
- Mentorship by experienced faculty from leading palliative care institutions
- 8 structured modules delivered through a Learning Management System
- Interactive learning through two live mentor-led sessions per week
- 12 days of mandatory clinical attachment for hands-on experience
- Foundation sessions followed by in-person hospice-based learning
- Exit examination to ensure academic rigor and professional readiness
Course Details:
- Eligibility: MBBS
- Duration: 6 months
- Start Date: 4th July 2026
- Course Fee: Rs. 35,000/-
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest as seats are limited.
For further details and to register, please visit: https://www.apmindia.org/basics-in-palliative-care/
For queries, contact: +91 7012637910 | office@apmindia.org
Empowering Volunteers for Palliative Care; 28 Participants Complete the IAPC’s Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers
Twenty-eight enthusiastic individuals successfully completed the Part A (Theory Component) of the IAPC’s Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers (FCPCV). The 16-hour online training programme was conducted between 8th and 16th May, 2026 and focused on the essential aspects of volunteering in palliative care.
The participants represented a diverse range of professional and personal backgrounds, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, engineers, students, retired professionals, and others who shared a common interest in learning about and contributing to palliative care.
Participants appreciated the well-structured curriculum, which provided them with greater clarity and confidence to undertake volunteer roles in palliative care. Participants also highlighted the expertise and clarity of the faculty, which helped them better understand complex concepts. The interactive nature of the sessions, the thoughtful programme design, and the commitment of the organising team were particularly well appreciated.
Congratulations to all the compassionate volunteers who have successfully completed the Theory Component of the Course. Participants are now expected to complete Part B of the programme, observership at a palliative care centre, by 16th July, 2026.
We extend our heartfelt best wishes to each participant as they continue their learning journey. We also express our sincere gratitude to Mr Dean George and Dr Divya Narayanan, Course Coordinators, for their expertise, dedication, and leadership in organising and delivering this programme. Congratulations to both of them on successfully conducting the course and inspiring a new group of volunteers to embark on their journey in palliative care
Feedback snippets:
“I liked the course. Something I was not aware of. An eyeopener in many ways. Happy I enrolled myself.”
“Love the way the community care models where presented. “
“Each session was valuable and delivered clearly. I found the experience-sharing session particularly enlightening, as it gave practical insights.”
“Program is excellent. Very good topics and great content. Brilliant speakers. Volunteers sharing their experience is a good idea”
Palliative Care Teaching Series for BSc Nursing Students at NIMHANS, Bengaluru
As part of the third teaching series conducted by the Neuro Palliative and Supportive Care (NPSC) team, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, 83 BSc Nursing students were introduced to essential aspects of palliative care. The teaching series for nursing students were held between 20th April and 2nd May, 2026.
The sessions covered topics including the introduction, scope, and philosophy of palliative care, the role of nurses in palliative care, symptom and pain management, home-based care, communication in palliative care, End-of-life care, interdisciplinary teamwork and coordination, bereavement care, and the role of Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists in palliative care.
The program was curated and coordinated by Dr Priya Treesa Thomas and Dr Priya Baby (Faculty, NIMHANS, Bengaluru) and delivered by multidisciplinary team members of Neuro Palliative Care Team at NIMHANS.
Fortis Cancer Summit 2026: The Intersection of Survivorship and Palliative Care – Beyond Patients… Beyond Cure… Beyond Silence…
The Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Fortis Cancer Institute, Gurgaon, in collaboration with Pallium India, organised a session titled “The Intersection of Survivorship & Palliative Care – Beyond Patients, Beyond Cure, Beyond Silence” on 3rd May 2026 at Andaz Aerocity, New Delhi, as part of the Fortis Cancer Summit 2026.
The session brought together oncologists, palliative care professionals, psychologists, patient advocates, policymakers, caregivers, and students to discuss the growing importance of survivorship care and the early integration of palliative care in oncology.
Dr Megha Pruthi (Additional Director & HOD, Pain & Palliative Medicine, Fortis Gurgaon) was the session lead.
Keynote address was delivered by Dr M. R. Rajagopal (Chairman Emeritus, Pallium India Trust, Trivandrum). Dr Rajagopal in his speech emphasised the need to move beyond disease-focused care towards person-centred models that prioritise quality of life, symptom management, psychosocial support, and dignity throughout the illness journey.
Narratives Session – Voices that Matter
A powerful narratives session explored how the integration of palliative care transforms the journey of patients and families. Moderated by Dr Vaishali Zamre (Director Surgical Oncology & Head Breast Cancer Surgery, Andromeda Cancer hospital, Delhi), the session featured perspectives from Ms Bishnupriya Roy Choudhury (Caregiver), Ms Madhu Juneja (Cancer Survivor, Mental Health / Palliative Care Family Counsellor), Ms Poonam Bagai (Cancer Survivor, Patient Advocate, Founder & Chairman CANKIDS KIDSCAN), and Mrs Sarika Kokadwar.
Panel Discussion
A multidisciplinary panel discussion titled “Beyond the Prescription: The Economics, Ethics & Empathy in Oncology” examined the broader dimensions of cancer care. This was moderated by Dr Naveen Salins (Director of Research, MAHE, Manipal and Professor & Head Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College, MAHE, Manipal).
The panel included Mr Anil Vinayak (Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) Fortis Healthcare), Dr Harit Chaturvedi (CEO and Clinical Head, Oncology Network, Apollo Hospitals Group Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals Delhi & Apollo Athenaa Hospital), Dr S. Senthilnathan (Deputy Director General, National Program for Health Care of Elderly, National Program for Palliative Care, and National Mental Health Program), Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (Principal Director Onco-Anaesthesia, Critical Care, Pain Management, and Palliative Care, Max Healthcare, Delhi), Dr Nitesh Rohatgi (Principal Director, Medical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon), and Ms Vandana Mahajan (Palliative Care Counselor and Patient Advocate).
Experts Talk: Architects of Care: Blueprinting the Integration of Palliative Care
An expert talk session on “Architects of Care: Blueprinting the Integration of Palliative Care” was moderated by Dr Santosh Chaturvedi (Senior Professor of Psychiatry and Former Dean of Behavioural Sciences, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru). The session explored practical strategies for integrating palliative care into mainstream oncology services.
Experts included – Dr A. K. Dewan (Director Dept. Surgical Oncology Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre Delhi), Dr Vedant Kabra (Principal Director Dept. Surgical Oncology Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurgaon), Dr Swarupa Mitra (Director and Unit Head Dept. Radiation oncology Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurgaon), Dr Suhail Qureshi (Additional Director & Unit Head Dept. of Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi), Dr Bimla Sharma (HOD, Palliative Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Delhi), Dr Kedar Tilwe (Consultant Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Hospital Mulund), Mr Nishit Jain (Caregiver and Patient Advocate).
The session emphasised the importance of collaborative care pathways, institutional support, workforce development, and education.
Geriatric Oncology in SAARC Countries
A dedicated session on “Geriatric Oncology in SAARC Countries” was delivered by Dr Rajendra Prasad Baral (HOD, Clinical oncologist, Nepal). The session was chaired by Dr Biswajyoti Hazarika (Principal Director of Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist), Dr Reena Sharma (Director, Cansupport). The discussion focused on the unique vulnerabilities and supportive care needs of older adults living with cancer.
Youth Parliament: A Flagship Session
One of the most engaging and innovative highlights of the session was the Youth Parliament, a 75-minute structured debate session on the topic “Does early integration of palliative care improve survivorship outcomes?”. Participants were delegates from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) (For the Motion), Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) (Against the Motion) and Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) (Social Stakeholder Perspectives).
The Youth Parliament was moderated by Dr Arun Goel (Chairman Surgical Oncology, Andromeda Cancer Hospital).
Closing Reflections
The session concluded with a “Way Forward” address by Dr Megha Pruthi, who called for translating discussions into actionable institutional practices, care pathways, and policy reforms. The event reinforced that survivorship is not the end of the cancer journey, but rather the beginning of a new phase of comprehensive, person-centred care. Importantly, the session demonstrated how palliative care can meaningfully contribute across the continuum of illness from diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, and beyond.
APM’s Lecture Series 4: Sessions Planned for June 2026
We warmly invite you to join the lectures scheduled for June 2026. Details as follows:
