Education and Training
The APM’s 1st online batch of the ‘Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care’ began on 18th July, 2023
The Academy of Palliative Medicine’s (APM) first online batch of the ‘Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care’ was conducted at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 18th July, 2023.
A total of 60 nursing professionals (BSc in Nursing, GNM, ANM and others) who are already working in palliative care from across the country participated in the course to enhance their ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and also their families.
The course is designed to deliver 15 sessions spread over six months. The first of these sessions began with Ms Asha Albuquerque Pai (Administrative Officer, APM) introducing the Academy of Palliative Medicine, the scientific committee and providing participant statistics.
Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (Chairperson, APM; President, IAPC) welcomed the audience and reiterated the importance of the course. Dr Nandini Vallath (Course Director: Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care) briefly introduced the course and introduced Ms Anu Thelly (Nurse Consultant, Department of Palliative Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry) the resource person for the day.
The 7th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Care’ begins successfully on 22nd July, 2023
The 7th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Care’ (CCEPC) began on Saturday, 22nd July, 2023.
A total of 236 clinicians (191 Doctors and 45 Nurses) from 41 of the IAPC’s authorised course centers spread across the country, participated in this batch of the basic course in palliative care. Upon course completion these doctors and nurses will be empowered to inculcate the principles of palliative care in their every day practice and thereby improve patient care through proper communication and effective management of difficult symptoms.
The mandatory theory ‘Part A’ component of the course will conclude on Sunday, 13th August, 2023.
We are also happy to report that our new e-application system worked smoothly with just one or two people experiencing technical glitches, which were also set right within a few moments. We once again thank Dr Pankaj Singhai (Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore) for suggesting a google form based examination process and the adoption of an e-application submission system.
Register before 7th August, 2023, to participate in the Tata Memorial Center’s CEPaC (12th and 13th August, 2023)
Dr Raghu S Thota (Organising Secretary, TMC-CEPaC) invites you to register for the Tata Memorial Centre’s – Continuing Education in Palliative Care (TMC-CEPaC) scheduled to be held at the Lecture Hall, Golden Jubliee Building Auditorium, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, on Saturday, 12th August, 2023 and Sunday, 13th August, 2023.
The academic activity is being organised for the first time by the Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
The organisers share that the theme for this year’s event will be ‘Palliative Medicine – Point Of Care UltraSound (PM-POCUS)’.
Practicing palliative care physicians and Post graduate students of Palliative Medicine are encouraged to register for the event as the conference promises to offer a comprehensive scientific program which will be presented by eminent faculty from the field. The final program will be announced shortly.
Please note:
- Online registrations are open till Monday, 7th August, 2023. Please click here to register.
- Spot registrations are available thereafter at the venue.
Register before 10th August, 2023, to participate in the ‘International Neuropalliative Care Certificate Course’
Registrations are invited for the ‘International Neuropalliative care certificate course’ offered jointly by the International Neuropalliative Care Society, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal), and Karunashraya.
The course aims to empower participants with a comprehensive neuropalliative skill set that will enhance one’s approach while caring for people living with serious neurological conditions. Additionally, course participants will have an opportunity to learn from leaders of the emerging field of neuro palliative care via pre-recorded webinars, live virtual sessions (flipped classroom), and in-person sessions.
Physicians (neurologists, neurosurgeons, palliative care providers, geriatricians, physiatrists, internists, intensivists, and paediatricians etc.) who provide care to paediatric and adult persons living with serious life-limiting neurological illness are invited to enrol for the program.
The course will be delivered in two components, Part I and Part II, each of which will be presented for 6 months (6 modules of 4 weeks each). The Part 1 component of the course is scheduled to be launched on Friday, 1st September, 2023 and conclude in February, 2024. The Part 2 component of the course is scheduled to be held between March, 2024 and August, 2024.
Please click here for further information and to enrol for the program before 10th August, 2023.
SVYM, Mysore, organises ‘Swaraanubhuthi’, a musical event to spread awareness about Palliative Care on 9th July, 2023
The Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), Mysore, had organised ‘Swaraanubhuthi’ – a musical movement for care beyond cure, on Sunday, 9th July, 2023.
This musical concert was organized at Kalamandira, Mysore, in support of families affected by chronic diseases and disorders, and who may be at the end of their lives. The event aimed to create awareness about palliative care among the general community.
The event began with Ms Savitha Sulugodu (CEO, SVYM) lighting the ceremonial lamp and welcoming the gathering. Mr Ramakrishna Mudre (Hon. Director, SVYM) along with other members of the SVYM’s senior management team felicitated a few of the key contributors and supporters of the organisation.
Dr R Balasubramaniam (Founder, SVYM; and Member-HR, Capacity Building Commission, Government of India) then addressed the gathering.
The much awaited music program for the evening celebrated Singer S P Balasubramaniam as Artists Mr Ajay Warrier, Ms Divya Raghavan, Ms Lakshmi Vijay and Mr Shree Harsha presented a wide repertoire of Mr S P Balasubramanium’s popular songs.
The scintillating musical evening concluded with Dr Kumar (Head, Health Initiatives, SVYM) delivering the Vote of thanks. Dr Sushma and Dr Vidya N (Medical Managers, SVYM) were the masters of ceremonies for the day.
MGMCH, Jaipur, hosts a session on ‘Let’s talk about death’ on 15th July, 2023
The Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (MGMCH), Jaipur, had organised a sensitisation session on ‘Let’s talk about death’ at the Vivekanand Hall, MGMCH, on Saturday, 15th July, 2023.
The session was attended by 194 healthcare professionals who represented Oncologists (Medical, Radiation, Surgical), Palliative Physicians, Intestivists, Internal Medicine professionals, Medical PG students and Nursing staff.
Dr Nipun Lamba (Associate Professor, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, MGMCH, Jaipur) moderated the sessions from the day and also welcomed and introduced Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC; Chief, IRCH, AIIMS New Delhi), the Keynote speaker for the day. Dr Sudha Sarna (HOD, Palliative Medicine, MGMCH) delivered the welcome address.
Dr Sushma Bhatnagar then addressed the gathering and emphasized the adoption of a holistic approach in end-of-life care by practising empathy and compassion towards patients and their families.
Dr Anjum Joad (Director, Anesthesia; HoD, Palliative Care, Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Jaipur) delivered a thought-provoking lecture on medico-legal aspects of end-of-life care, including the recent Supreme Court verdict regarding advance directives. She also stressed the importance of legal compliance, practising ethical practices in end-of-life decisions, and empowering patients and families in this critical phase.
Dr M L Swarankar (Emeritus Chairman, Mahatma Gandhi University, Jaipur) shared his pearls of wisdom in Medicine to inspire healthcare professionals to prioritize comfort and compassion for patients in their final journey.
Dr RC Gupta Sir (Medical Superintendent, Mahatma Gandhi University, Jaipur) delivered a compelling session on ‘Why Talk About End of Life Care?’ which reaffirmed the importance of understanding and addressing this crucial aspect of healthcare.
This was followed by two interesting panel discussions on ‘Company, Ethical Sociocultural aspects around end of life care’ and ‘Medicolegal aspects and guidelines around end of life care’.
The sessions were also attended by Dr Seema Khandelwal (Senior Consultant, Palliative Medicine, MGMCH), Dr Srishti Jain (Associate Professor, Critical Care, MGMCH) and Dr Ashwin Mathur (HOD SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur)
The event was also covered in Rajasthan DD News and in print media. Please click here to view a clip of the media coverage.
MPCN jointly sensitises 20 potential volunteers in the basics on oncology and non oncology palliative care in July, 2023
The Mumbai Palliative Care Network (MPCN) represented by Pallcare, Jascap, Oncare and Romila Palliative Care, had jointly organised the first adult oncology and non-oncology sensitization session in palliative care for 20 enthusiastic and potential volunteers over four sessions in July 2023.
These in-person sensitisation sessions were held for four hours each on the Saturdays of 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd July, 2023, at Sukoon Nilaya, Mumbai. Course participants were represented by a mix of Doctors, Counsellors, Psychologists, Social workers and enthusiastic individuals from the community.
The sessions were extremely interactive as they included a combination of lectures, role plays and case studies and covered topics such as spectrum of diseases (oncology and non-oncology) covered in palliative care, symptom management, counselling skills, handling difficult communication (collusion, anger and denial), psychological issues, Home care services, caregivers stress, existential and spiritual issues, and advanced care planning and End of life issues.
Course participants will now proceed to be enrolled for a practical, on-the-job training at various palliative care facilities across Mumbai.
The Shanti Palliative Care Center, Siliguri, sensitises over 80 individuals in the basics of palliative care in July, 2023
Dr Pankaj Chowdhary (Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Palliative Physician, Shanti Nursing Home, Siliguri, West Bengal) on behalf of the Shanti Palliative Care Center, Siliguri, conducted two separate community sensitisation programs in palliative care during July 2023.
The first program conducted in association with the Marwari Yuva Manch Kurseong Arnav, was held on Sunday, 2nd July, 2023, at the Rajeshwari Hall, Kurseong. A total of 61 individuals from the community participated in the program.
The second program was conducted at the Terai Planters Club, Bengdubi, in association with the Tea Academy and Terai Branch Indian Tea Association. This session was conducted on Saturday, 15th July, 2023, and was attended by 21 Tea Estate managers. This program was sponsored by Poddar Car Word.
Both sessions aimed to sensitise the community about the concept of palliative care along with highlighting the benefits and importance of integrating it in care plans for those patients who may be in need of such services.
A motivated Dr Chowdhary shares, “While these events may look small, I believe that they will help spread the knowledge of palliative care in the community. As a result of these sessions, not only do people become aware of such services but they are also identifying and referring those patients in need of such services to us. Even though the journey is long and slow, I am happy that it has at least started.”
DNipCare and ECHO India sensitises over 40 nurses in palliative care in June, 2023
DNipCare (Delhites’ National Initiative in Palliative Care) in association with ECHO India, successfully completed the 3rd online batch of their sensitisation program ‘Promoting Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing’ on Monday, 17th June, 2023.
Over 40 Nurses and Nursing faculty from across the country participated in the course which was delivered over 8 sessions. Course participants were introduced and sensitised to topics such as introduction to palliative care, comprehensive and integrated palliative care including home and community based, communication, breaking bad news, symptom management, basic care of a bedridden patient, awareness on wound, stoma and lymphoedema care, paediatric palliative care, pain management, end of life care and caring last hours, career development perspectives, etc.
Each of these sessions were designed to include a pretest, an introduction to the topic and the speaker, the presentation of the actual lecture, a round of question and answer / discussion, a post test, a summarization of the lecture and a feedback session.
Ms Shakila Murai (Palliative Care Nurse in-charge, CMC, Vellore) presented the last session in the series while Dr K V Ganpathy (Clinical Psychologist, CEO – JASCAP, IAPC’s Central Council Member) moderated the session. Ms Jeena Pradeep (Deputy Assistant Director General(Nursing), DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt.of India) graced the valedictory ceremony (after the last session) as Special Guest, while Ms Suman R Kashyap (Nursing Superintendent, AIIMS, New Delhi) was the Guest of Honour.
Mr C Desanth welcomed the participants and guests and Mr P K Abdul Kareem presented the vote of thanks. The programme was coordinated by Mr K V Hamza (General Secretary, DNipCare), Dr C N Bhargavi (Academic Coordinator, DNipCare), Ms Neelam Sharma (Senior Executive, ECHO India) and Mr Suresh T P (Secretary, DNipCare).
The IAPC’s West Bengal Chapter conducts two CME’s in June and July, 2023
The newly formed West Bengal Chapter of the IAPC has been very active as they successfully organised 2 interesting Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs in palliative care in June and July 2023.
The first event was conducted on Saturday, 17th June, 2023, at the Seminar Room, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), Hazra campus, Kolkata. A total of 50 individuals of multiple diaspora consisting of Surgical Oncologists, Gynaecological Oncologists, Radiation Oncologists, Palliative care physicians, Palliative care nurses, Clinical psychologists, Palliative care volunteers and Cancer survivors from various hospitals in Kolkata attended the CME.
Dr Shyamal Kr Sarkar (Chairman, IAPC’s West Bengal Chapter) inaugurated the event while Dr R K Mandal (HOD, Department of Pain and Palliative Care, CNCI) graced the occasion as Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address. Dr Shrikant Atreya (Treasurer, IAPC’s West Bengal Chapter) presented a session on ‘Palliative Care Scenario in West Bengal’ and Dr Gaurav Kumar (Senior Consultant, Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Center, Kolkata) presented a lecture on ‘Community Palliative Care’. The event was conducted by Dr Debasish Jatua (Secretary, IAPC’s West Bengal Chapter) and concluded with Dr Deepa Chakrabarti (CNCI) delivering the vote of thanks.
The second event was conducted on Saturday, 15th July, 2023, at the Seminar Hall of Ruby General Hospital (RGH), Kolkata. 60 delegates which included eminent palliative care physicians, surgeons, intensivists, emergency medicine, post graduate trainees, physiotherapy students & nurses attended the CME organised jointly by the IAPC’s West Bengal Chapter and the Department of Anesthesia and Palliative Medicine, RGH, Kolkata. Dr Rakesh Roy (In-charge Medical Oncology & Palliative medicine, SGCCRI), Dr Debasish Jatua (In-charge, Department of Palliative care & Pain, CNCI) and Dr Prarthana Jayaseelan (Consultant Palliative Medicine, Medica Superspecialty Hospital) presented sessions on ‘Basics of palliative care’, ‘How to use opioids in palliative care practice’ and ‘Guidelines for stocking and dispensing essential narcotic drugs in medical institutions.
Dr D P Sammadar (Director, Medical Affairs, RGH) and Dr Sudeshna Lahiri (Deputy Medical Director, RGH) were the Chief Guest’s for the CME, while Dr S N Mitra (HOD Anesthesia, RGH), Dr Sanjoy Roy (HOD, Radiation Oncology, RGH), Dr Rimita Dey (HOD, Critical Care, RGH) and Dr Abhishek Guha Thakurta (Sr. Consultant, General Laproscopic & Oncosurgery, RGH) chaired the sessions. The CME was moderated by Dr Subhajit Guha (Consultant Neuro Anesthesiologist & Palliative Care Physician, RGH) and Dr Ratul Kundu (Consultant Anesthesiologist, RGH). The vote of thanks was presented by Dr Subhajit Guha and Mr Subhasish Datta (Chief, General Manager Operations, RGH).
Update from APM’s lecture series
Report on activities in July
Post completion of the IAPC Academy’s online lecture series 6 in June, a special and fantastic lecture on ‘Prognostication in Neuro palliative care’ was presented by Dr Puneet Rathore and moderated by Dr Roop Gursahani on Monday, 3rd July, 2023, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
The now renamed ‘Academy of Palliative Medicine’s online Lecture Series 1’ began at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, 17th July, 2023, after a one week break. This series will deliver a total of 37 lectures which will be delivered by Students of MD and DNB in Palliative Medicine from across the country and moderated by a Faculty from their respective center.
The first lecture from the series was an excellent presentation on ‘History taking and physical assessment in holistic palliative care’, delivered by Dr Revathy Vijayakumar and moderated by Dr Sushma Bhatnagar. This was followed by a Dr Pulluri Sai Sowmya’s comprehensive presentation on ‘Approach to an adult patient with intractable cancer pain’ which was moderated by Dr K Praveen Kumar. The lectures for the month concluded with Dr Sushma Bhatnagar’s superb presentation on ‘Interventional Cancer Pain Management’
We thank our speakers and the moderators for sharing their time and expertise to enrich the knowledge of the palliative care’s community.
Please click here to access the recordings of lectures from the IAPC Academy’s online lecture series 6
Sessions planned for August
We invite you to join us for the lectures scheduled for August. Details below:
