Education and Training

Application Now Open for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Essentials of Palliative Care

Applications are invited from Doctors and Nurses for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in the Essentials of Palliative Care’, January 2026 batch. The course previously known as the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Care (CCEPC) is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

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.

Click here to download the Schedule for the theoretical ‘Part A’ component of the upcoming batch.

 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 January 2026 batch of Foundation Course in Essentials of Palliative Care: Sunday, 28th December, 2025.

Application Portal:  For further details about the course and to submit e-applications, please click here.

APM Announces IAPC Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care – 3rd Batch

The Academy of Palliative Medicine announces the commencement of the 3rd Batch of the IAPC Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care, beginning on 28 February 2026. Building on the success of previous cohorts, this six-month blended program offers deeper learning, dedicated mentoring, and interactive, discussion-based sessions aimed at strengthening foundational competencies in palliative care. The course combines thoughtfully designed online modules with live mentor-led sessions and a mandatory clinical attachment to ensure hands-on experience and professional readiness.

Minimum Eligibility: MBBS
Course Fee: ₹35,000

Key Highlights:

  • 600 hours of blended learning over 6 months
  • 8 structured modules via Learning Management System (LMS)
  • 2 live mentor sessions per week
  • 12-day mandatory clinical posting for hands on experience
  • Guided by pioneers and leading faculty in palliative care

For registration and more information, click here.

Sharpen Your Skills IAPC Nursing Faculty Training

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) in Partnership with College of Nursing, Bhaikaka University, organised the Sharpen Your Skills IAPC Nursing Faculty Training at Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat on 1st November to 2nd November 2025 with the aim of strengthening palliative care nursing capacities in India

The first day started with the welcome address by Dr Geeta Joshi, President IAPC, followed by the sessions on how to be a great teacher and how to use digital tools in conducting IAPC’s online training programs. Col Yashwant Joshi spoke with the participants about what makes a good teacher, focusing on communication skills, getting students involved in classroom teaching, and teaching that stimulates thinking. In the session of online teaching methodology, the participants learnt how to use digital tools, hold synchronous classes, and follow best practices to keep students engaged and focused during virtual sessions. The afternoon sessions on pain management in palliative care which is a very integral part of nursing care. Participants discussed real-life cases to review pain pathophysiology, how to differentiate nociceptive and neuropathic pain, using standardised tools for assessment and specifically about the important learning outcomes on opioid use. The discussion also focused on clinical decisions when using the WHO analgesic ladder, opioid titration, and identifying side effects. The sessions encouraged people to talk about their own teaching experiences and how to use these ideas to teach and mentor students at the bedside.

The second day focused on the hands-on aspects of nursing care such as colostomy care, tracheostomy care and lymphoedema care. The second day two session started with how to diagnose and treat common gastrointestinal problems like constipation, vomiting, and bowel obstruction, which are common in palliative care settings. Participants discussed about important nursing interventions and strategies that are based on evidence to improve their quality of life. This was followed by a discussion on strategies to communicate these principles, evidence and practices clearly during the teaching sessions.

A very practical session on perineal care was held during the meeting. This session was moderated by Dr Geeta Joshi, based on a real-life patient. The participants discussed best practices, and challenges in perineal care. The group engaged in active discussion and shared practical steps they follow in improving the perineal hygiene of their patients. This was followed by the session on ostomy care and managing lymphoedema by Ms Stella. The session covered important practical skills to be covered during an online session on these topics. A separate session on homecare focused on the nurse’s role in ensuring continuity of care, preparing for home visits and practical aspects of providing care in home settings. Other sessions during the two of the program included end-of-life care and how to handle emergencies in palliative care. During the session on End-of-life care, Ms Hanife discussed about anticipatory prescribing, managing symptoms, and providing compassionate care.

After the lunch break, the participants went to the famous Amul Dairy Factory, where they took a guided tour and learnt about Gujarat’s history of cooperative innovation and high quality standards followed in preparing, packing and distributing Amul products. This tour offered insights into the rich traditions and heritage of Anand.

Participants enjoyed the case-based learning format as it enabled them to share their different experiences from different clinical settings. At the end of the program, there was an open discussion and review session where participants talked about the most important things that needed to be done to improve the curriculum and the faculty. Everyone who joined the “Sharpen Your Skills” program appreciated the manner in which the program was put together, how interactive the lessons were, and how it gave faculty a chance to reconnect, learn from one another. The program showed IAPC’s commitment to improving palliative care nursing education and giving trainers the tools they need to teach well all over India.

Comprehensive Training at Baptist Christian Hospital

The Baptist Christian Hospital, in collaboration with the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), successfully hosted a three-day “Training of Trainers” workshop from 6th to 8th November 2025, with support from Rotary Greater Tezpur and Sergio Remedies Pvt. Ltd. The program was facilitated by an expert faculty panel comprising Dr. Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC), Dr. Yashavant Joshi (Chairman, UNNAT, Vadodara, Gujarat), Dr. Hiranya Das (Regional Representative, IAPC,  Deputy Director, Division of Epidemiology & Nutrition ICMR-RMRC), Dr. Dinesh Goswami (Secretary cum CEO Guwahati Pain and Palliative Care Society), and Dr. Obangjungla (Regional Representative, IAPC,  Former Joint Director, Health and Family Welfare Nagaland), who guided 20 participants through a structured curriculum. The training progressed logically over three days: commencing with foundational topics like pain management, communication, and spirituality; moving to psychosocial dimensions such as home care, community mobilization, and caregiver roles; and concluding with sensitive subjects including grief, bereavement, and social rehabilitation.

The Training extended beyond technical lectures, the workshop emphasized interactive learning through video screenings on resilience and role-plays designed to distinguish between empathy, sympathy, and pity. Parallel to the main workshop, a specialized one-day session for 13 doctors was held on November 8th to address advanced clinical topics, including breaking bad news, ethical issues in the ICU, and paediatric palliative care. This session was led by  Dr Geeta Joshi, Dr Obangjungla, Dr Raghu Thota (Hon Secretary IAPC), Dr Nandan Choudary (Consultant & In-Charge Palliative Medicine and Supportive Oncology, Karkinos Healthcare), and Dr Dinesh Goswami. The event concluded with a certification ceremony, acknowledging the vital contributions of the organizers and sponsors in strengthening the region’s palliative care capabilities.

Creating Compassionate Communities: 38 Learners Successfully Complete the November 2025 Cohort of IAPC’s Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers

The second cohort of the online Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers in 2025 witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 38 individuals from across India. The 16 hours of online theory sessions were conducted between 20th and 25th November 2025.

Participants represented a diverse mix of professional and personal backgrounds, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, finance professionals, lawyers, engineers, and others who shared a common interest in learning and contributing to palliative care.

The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, and we at IAPC are humbled by the words of appreciation shared by the participants. Many highlighted the expertise and clarity of the faculty, the interactive and well-planned structure of the sessions, and the dedication of the organising team. The use of case-based discussions, Q&A segments, and role-play activities added significant value and enriched the overall learning experience.

Feedback snippets:

“Words are not sufficient to express my deep gratitude to you, Dr Ganpathy, the coordinator of this program, for presenting to us such an empowering 6-day session. Every speaker was so knowledgeable, and presented such important content with great clarity, accompanied by excellent slides. Your insights and suggestions were so helpful, and you navigated the whole training session with such enthusiasm, sensitivity and professionalism. It was amazing and beyond comparison”- Ms Shashi Devanesen
“The Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers was truly an enriching experience. The entire program was delivered with great professionalism, compassion, and depth. My heartfelt thanks to all the faculty members for their guidance and for creating such a meaningful learning journey for us” - Prakash Annapfpa
“The expertise and energies of all the teachers. Such a wonderful informative session. Thank you” - Anonymous Participant
“Great knowledgeable speakers, very useful and practical sessions, Simple and easy to understand” - Anonymous Participant

Congratulations to all the compassionate volunteers who have successfully completed the Part A: Theory Component of the Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers! We extend our heartfelt best wishes to each of you as you continue your learning journey, and we look forward to witnessing your ongoing engagement with palliative care and community service.

We also express our deepest gratitude to Dr. K. V. Ganpathy, Course Coordinator, for designing and delivering each cohort of this programme with remarkable sincerity, commitment, and dedication. Congratulations on successfully leading yet another batch of passionate and caring volunteers through this transformative learning experience.

Empowering Clinicians: 31 Participants Complete IAPC’s Foundation Course in Physiotherapy–Palliative Care Interface

A total of 31 participants (5 doctors and 26 physiotherapists) successfully completed the 8th cohort of IAPC’s Foundation Course in Physiotherapy – Palliative Care Interface, held on the 28th and 29th of November, 2025.

This programme is designed not only to strengthen physiotherapists’ understanding of their role in delivering holistic palliative care, but also to increase awareness within the wider palliative care community about the value and impact of physiotherapy in patient care and symptom management.

The sessions were primarily facilitated by physiotherapy faculty from Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai, and AIIMS Delhi, supported by experts from Sri Sathya Sai Palliative Care Centre, Puttaparthi, MNJ Institute of Oncology & RCC, Hyderabad, and Sankeshwar Mission Hospital, Belagavi.

We are delighted to learn that the participants found the programme engaging, relevant, and meaningful.

Feedback Snippets:

“The case studies were very knowledgeable and helpful.” - Anonymous Participant
“The whole session was packed with great information that can actually be used in regular clinical practice. Very well-prepared session” - Anonymous Participant

We extend our sincere appreciation to all faculty members for their dedication and continued support in successfully delivering this programme.

IAPC also expresses its deepest gratitude to Dr. Meenakshi V. V. and Dr. Thendral Edwin (Course

Chairs) for their consistent leadership, guidance, and ongoing efforts toward refining and improving the quality of this course.

5th PALICON 2025 in Imphal: A Significant Step Forward with Over 600 Delegates Advocating for Palliative Care Access

The 5th PALICON 2025, an International Conference on Palliative Care, held successfully on 22nd and 23rd November, 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal, Manipur.

Under the theme “Every Life Matters: Universal Access to Palliative Care,” the event drew an impressive turnout of over 600 delegates, signalling significant momentum for palliative care in the region.

Organized collaboratively by the National Health Mission, the Directorate of Health Services, the Palliative Care Society Imphal (PCSI), and the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, the conference hosted eight distinguished faculty members from the UK and from various Indian states, alongside eminent local experts.

Conference Highlights:

  • Integration Mandate: N. Hemanta Kumar (Director of Health Services, Government of Manipur) stressed the urgent need to formally integrate palliative care into mainstream health systems.
  • Capacity Building: Dr. L. Usharani (Director, JNIMS Imphal) emphasized on increasing awareness and building capacity among the healthcare workforce.
  • Scope: The two-day program covered topics from the basics of palliative care to advanced management and panel discussions on universal access, including non-malignant palliative care.
  • Workshop: A nursing workshop on Palliative Care on November 22nd saw over 60 participants focusing on core topics and essential communication skills.
  • Diverse Participation: Speakers and chairpersons represented diverse medical disciplines, including Oncology, Surgery, Cardiology, Neurology, and Anesthesiology, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of the field.

The conference was spearheaded by Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam (Organising Chairperson and President, PCSI) and Dr. Nandan Choudhary (Organising Secretary).

Three-Day Training Programme & Palliative Care Seminar in Darjeeling

A three-day training programme cum seminar was successfully conducted in Darjeeling, marking an important milestone for palliative care capacity-building in the region. The 1st Foundation Course for Caregivers was organised for 18 Community Health Workers (CHWs) from Hayden Hall by local faculty Mr. Salil Chettri, RJ Umesh Pandey, Sr. Rachael Chettri SJC and Dr. Pankaj Chowdhary, with support from international faculty Ms. Gilly Burn. This collaborative effort between Shanti Palliative Care Centre and Cancer Relief India delivered 15 hours of structured training using the Palliative Care: A Workbook for Caregivers (developed by Sanjeevan Palliative Care Project and IPM), with guidance from Ms. Sangeetha Murugan and Ms. Michelle Norman from Karunashraya. The programme began with a welcome address and message from Mr. Binod Harimohan, Chairman, Pallium India.

The training covered activity-based modules on communication skills, ethical issues, spiritual and psychological needs, as well as physical signs and essential nursing care. As CHWs already engaged in home-based services, participants reflected that the sessions enhanced their communication abilities, deepened their understanding of clinical signs, and strengthened their approach to involving families and communities in caregiving. The programme concluded with participants drafting an “Action Plan” in the presence of Fr. Paul D’Souza, Director of Hayden Hall, including a commitment to identify and train community volunteers as a follow-up initiative.

In parallel, the Lions Club of Darjeeling, along with the Darjeeling Oncology Trust (DOT), hosted a well-received seminar on palliative care. Ms. Gilly Burn spoke on “Compassionate Communication” for people with chronic illness, while Dr. Purvish Parikh delivered an engaging session on practical applications of AI in daily life. As highlighted by Lion S. P. Sharma, President of Lions Club Darjeeling, palliative care remains scarce in the region, making such initiatives vital steps toward improving access and awareness.

Second Jella Nandedkar Memorial Symposium on Evidence-Based Palliative Care

The Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society, Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Indo-American Cancer Association, successfully hosted the Second Jella Nandedkar Memorial Symposium on Evidence-Based Palliative Care on 8th November, 2025. The day brought together leading national and international experts who shared cutting-edge perspectives on integrating research into everyday clinical practice.

The symposium included sessions by Dr. Naveen Salins on managing chronic breathlessness in the community and keynote address on prognostication by Dr. David Hui’s. This was followed by an engaging panel discussion exploring physician handover and patient safety. About 50 participants attended this program in-person, while 20 joined via online platform.

The symposium also showcased emerging themes in palliative medicine, including innovations in therapeutics, advance medical directives, cannabinoid-based symptom management, and a session on Artificial Intelligence in Palliative Care. The event reflected a collective commitment to strengthening scientific rigor and enhancing compassionate care. Organizers expressed deep gratitude to the family of Jella Nandedkar for their support, and to Dr. Gayatri Palat and Dr. Suresh K. Reddy for their leadership in sustaining this academic platform that continues to inspire reflection, research, and collaboration across the palliative care community.

Duke-NUS: Online Graduate Certificate Programme in Health Economic Evaluation

Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, is inviting applications for its Online Graduate Certificate Programme in Health Economic Evaluation (GCP-HEE). Led by Prof. Eric Finkelstein, this 10-month program is designed to equip healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers with essential skills to conduct high-quality economic evaluations of health interventions and technologies. The curriculum covers health economic modelling (Decision Trees, Markov Models), econometrics, and health technology assessment using industry-standard software like Stata and TreeAge Pro.

Format: 100% Online (Zoom)
Duration: 10 months
Application Deadline: December 15, 2025
Key Modules: Introduction to Health Econometrics, Health Economic Modelling, Advanced Econometrics, and Advanced HTA Methods.

This program is particularly relevant for professionals seeking to understand the economic value of healthcare interventions to inform policy and funding decisions.

For more information, visit this page.

Update from the APM’s lecture series 3

Lecture Series 3 concluded successfully in November with 52 insightful and impactful lectures delivered

The last two lectures from Series 3 were delivered in November 2025:

Topics, speakers and moderators for November 2025 were:

After a short break following the successful completion of Lecture Series 3, we are pleased to resume with Lecture Series 4 commencing on 1st December, 2025.

Sessions planned for December 2025: Lecture Series 4

We warmly invite you to join the lectures scheduled for December 2025. Details as follows