APM launches the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care: A Blended Learning Approach in January 2025

The Academy of Palliative Medicine (APM) launched the maiden batch of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care: A Blended Learning Approach on Friday, 10th January 2025, at 6:30 p.m. through a virtual platform, marking a significant milestone in palliative care education.

This innovative course is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge and skills to provide compassionate care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Spanning 600 hours over six months, the blended learning model combines online learning with practical application to enhance the quality of life and uphold dignity in healthcare practices.

The virtual launch event was graced by several eminent personalities from the field of palliative care across the globe.

The program commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. Naveen Salins, Secretary-General of APM, who shared the journey of how the idea for this course took shape. He expressed his vision for APM’s growth as a constituent unit of IAPC, aspiring to reach global standards set by the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), with the sky being the only limit.

This was followed by an inaugural address by Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar, IAPC President, who emphasized how APM will serve as the academic wing of IAPC in the future, fostering excellence in palliative care education. Dr. Geeta Joshi, President-elect of IAPC, delivered a heartfelt message to the students and attendees, inspiring them to embark on this meaningful journey.

Dr. Nagesh Simha, a Governing Council member of APM and a pioneer in palliative care in India, played a crucial and transformative role in the conceptualization, development, and successful launch of this certificate course. Dr. Simha, who served as both a pillar of strength and a catalyst in guiding this initiative from its nascent stages to its full realization, shared his views highlighting its potential to transform palliative care education on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Ajith Rai, Chairperson of the Suprajith Foundation, who generously supported this initiative, spoke about his fulfilling association with IAPC and APM and his foundation’s commitment to supporting impactful healthcare projects.

Dr Jenifer Jeba S, the Chairperson of the Board of Studies, presented an overview of the course structure, emphasizing its unique blended learning model, which integrates self-paced learning, asynchronous and synchronous sessions, face-to-face interactions, and clinical attachments in line with UGC guidelines. A distinguishing feature of the course is the personalized guidance provided by module leads and mentors, who will support students throughout their six-month learning journey.

All the module leads and moderators made a concerted effort to attend this momentous event and personally introduced themselves to the students, reinforcing their commitment to providing continuous support throughout the course. The event was further elevated by the presence of distinguished overseas faculty and Governing Council Members, including Dr. Fiona Rawlinson, Dr. Santosh Chaturvedi, Dr Lulu Mathews and several other esteemed experts in the field of palliative care.

The launch also celebrated the enrolment of the first cohort of twelve students, hailing from across India and abroad. They were warmly welcomed by the APM team and introduced to the course framework, with assurances of continuous mentorship to ensure a seamless and enriching learning experience.

The session concluded with an overview of the Learning Management System by Mr. Chirag Doshi from Lovemyskool, who walked the participants through the technical aspects of the platform.

This landmark initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting quality, compassionate, and patient-centered care, ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-equipped to address the needs of patients with life-limiting conditions.

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