Education and Training
Scholarships available for The Cardiff University MSc in Palliative Medicine for Healthcare Professionals
Applications are invited for the September 2023 batch of the Cardiff University MSc in Palliative Medicine for Healthcare Professionals. Applicants have a chance to grab the 9 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships that have been awarded for this year. These scholarships have been awarded jointly by The Cardiff University and The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
This multidisciplinary programme is designed for healthcare professionals wishing to advance their knowledge of the management of patients with non-curable and terminal illness.
The scholarships are therefore most suitable for those who have experience in palliative care, have previously undertaken education in palliative care, are working with large numbers of patients with palliative care needs and are working within a palliative care service or are interested in setting up new palliative care services in areas where these are not available.
The scholarships will fund the student’s full Cardiff University course fees, their flights and other expenses for successful applicants to attend one block of residential teaching in the United Kingdom.
Please click here to read further information about this.
Please note that applications must be submitted before 9:30 p.m (IST) on Tuesday, 28th March, 2023.
Applications invited for the IAPC’s third online batch of the Certificate Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy
The IAPC invites registrations for the IAPC’s third online batch of the ‘Certificate Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy.’
This is a basic course which aims to equip participants with adequate knowledge of commonly used drugs in Palliative Care for pain management and to manage other symptoms. The course will also cover Essential Narcotic Drugs and Narcotic Drugs, along with the technical legalities to procure, store, dispense and document the same.
The 7 hour course will be delivered in two components: a virtual 4.5 hour ‘Part A’ module and an in-person 2.5 hour Part B module.
The Part A of the batch of March 2023, will be held on Saturday, 11th March, 2023, between 8:50 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Candidates with a Diploma or a Degree in Pharmacy are eligible to apply for the course.
Please click here for further details and to register for the course.
Don’t forget that applications need to be submitted before Wednesday, 8th March, 2023.
IAPC and TMH Mumbai, jointly conducted hands-on palliative care training program for 68 clinicians from Bihar, between 16th – 22nd January, 2023, at HBCHRC, Muzaffarpur
Post completing the 2.5 days in-person theory training in the basics of palliative care, between Friday, 13thJanuary, 2023, and Sunday, 15th January, 2023, the 68 clinicians (24 Doctors and 44 Nurses) from 10 districts in Bihar and the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center (HBCHRC), Muzaffarpur, underwent a week long hands-on training between Monday, 16th January, 2023, to Sunday, 22nd January, 2023, at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Muzaffarpur, Bihar (SKMCH campus).
The training covered the entire spectrum of palliative care and included daily rounds to provide practical training on pain management, the practical components of the NDPS Act, morphine prescription, management of the side effects of opioids, symptom management, end of life care, and included also nursing aspects such as lymphedema management, bed sore management, stoma care etc. The training also included role plays on communication on topics such as breaking bad news, collusion, how to approach a patient or a caregiver who is angry etc.
This segment of the training was delivered jointly by a Faculty team from IAPC and Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai, and was represented by (in alphabetical order) Dr Bhanu Pratap Maurya (Senior Resident, Department of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi), Dr Puneet Rathore (Associate Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi), Ms Rekha Kuchekar (Staff Nurse “D”, Department of Palliative Medicine, TMH, Mumbai), Dr Sachin Gunde (Senior Resident, Department of Palliative Medicine, TMH, Mumbai), Dr Sanjeev Kumar (Senior Resident, Department of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi) and Ms Sonal Rane (In-charge, Stoma Clinic, Senior Entrostromal Therapist, TMH, Mumbai).
IAPC in association with NHM Arunachal Pradesh, conducts a 2.5 day palliative care training program for 36 clinicians in Arunachal Pradesh, between 17th and 19th February, 2023
We are delighted to share that 36 clinicians (19 Doctors and 17 Nurses) from Arunachal Pradesh’s 15 districts were trained jointly by the IAPC and the NHM Arunachal Pradesh between Friday, 17th February, 2023, and Sunday, 19th February, 2023.
The training in the basics of palliative care was conducted at the conference room at Hotel Obsidien Blue, Itanagar. The program was originally scheduled to be an in-person training program. However, certain unexpected and unforeseen socio-political issues at Itangar forced the program to be delivered in a hybrid mode, with participants joining us both in-person and virtually.
A short virtual inauguration ceremony was conducted on the first day of the program. Dr Tashi Chotton (State Nodal Officer, NPPC, Government of Arunachal Pradesh) welcomed and introduced all the dignitaries. The inauguration was attended by Mr Marge Sora (Mission Director, National Health Mission, Government of Arunachal Pradesh), Dr L Jampa (State Nodal Officer, NCD, Government of Arunachal Pradesh), Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC), Sr Hanife MacGamwell (Nursing Education Coordinator, IAPC), Dr Hage Sonia (Radiation Oncologist, TRIHMS), Dr Raghav Gupta (Assistant Professor, Dept. of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, NCI, Jhajjar and AIIMS, New Delhi), Dr Anshika Arora (Associate Professor Department of Surgical Oncology, CRI, HIMS, SRHU, Dehradun) and Ms Archana Ganesh (Program Manager, IAPC).
On this occasion Mr Marge Sora shared, “I am certain that this training will facilitate the implementation of Palliative care across the State of Arunachal Pradesh and ease the suffering of our patients. Our patients will now be able to receive palliative care from their districts itself and not travel all the way to Itanagar to receive this care.”
Sessions were presented by Dr Sushma Bhatanagar, Dr Santosh Chaturvedi, Sr Hanife MacGamwell, Dr Brajesh Kumar Ratre, Dr Anshika Arora, Dr Raghav Gupta, Dr Tashi Chotton and Dr Hage Sonia. The training was coordinated by Ms Archana Ganesh.
Excerpts from testimonials at the end of the 2.5 day training period as below:
“I have seen 2-3 patients who needed Palliative care. But then, I didn’t know how to treat them till now. I now realise that I can at least provide basic care to my patients. I also realised that I can also teach and train the caregiver to give basic care.” – A Doctor
“I learnt how to practically communicate with the patients.. I learnt many concepts which will help me to treat my patients and also while caring for our own family members.” – A Nurse
“I have learnt so many new things which I can use when I am caring for patients in the community. I also learnt that I can empower families to care for their loved ones. I thank the fabulous faculty and IAPC for this opportunity. We will definitely take all this back and begin providing services at our center.” – A Nurse
Candidates will subsequently proceed for a ten-day clinical posting. A three-day ELNEC training will also be organised for the nurses.
HBCHRC, Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with NHM, Andhra Pradesh, conducts a phased ToT program to train 22 clinicians in the principles of palliative care oncology, through February and March 2023
The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCHRC), Visakhapatnam, has collaborated with the National Health Mission, Government of Andhra Pradesh, to conduct its first ‘Training of Trainers’ (ToT) for Training in Principles of Palliative Care in Oncology, in phases all through February and March 2023.
Twenty two Doctors and Nurses, from eleven District Hospitals were nominated as Doctor – Nurse teams for the program. The program will offer four days of combined in-person training in theoretical aspects, which will be followed by practical five days hands-on training in batches of six in the Department of Palliative Medicine at HBCHRC. The training is being conducted by the faculty at HBCHRC, and is being led by Dr Vidya Viswanath. The theoretical training was held between Monday, 30th January, 2023, and Thursday, 2nd February, 2023.
During the course of the training, the participants are also being sensitised to the integrated multidisciplinary team approach in oncology care by rotations in radiation oncology, medical oncology, physiotherapy, speech and swallow therapy, nutrition, psycho oncology, Preventive Oncology, Oncology nursing and joint clinics. The word cloud in the attached backdrop expresses the thoughts of the trainees, with the trainers hoping that this will translate into more education and implementation!
Dr Frank D Ferris’s visit to Jaipur: The ‘Farooq Abdullah Oration Award’ at SMS Medical College, Jaipur, and a CME on pain and palliative care at BMCHRC, Jaipur
The very eminent Dr Frank D Ferris (Associate Director, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Education, Ohio Health) was bestowed with the ‘Farooq Abdullah Oration Award’ on the occasion of SMS Medical College’, Jaipur, platinum jubilee celebrations held on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023. Dr Ashwin Mathur (Professor and Head, Department of Palliative Medicine, SMS Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Jaipur) goes on to share, “This Award is the highest annual award bestowed by the Institute to a luminary with an outstanding contribution in Medical Sciences Arena of Academia, Research and Patient Care. I am delighted that Dr Ferris accepted our invitation to accept the same”.
During Dr Ferris’s visit to Jaipur, the Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Center (BMCHRC), Jaipur, had also organised a CME and training program on pain and palliative care on Sunday, 5th February, 2023. Dr Ferris presented the Keynote Address and Dr Anjum Khan (Director, Anesthesia, and HoD, Pain and Palliative Medicine, BMCHRC), shares, “It was an absolute privilege to host Dr Frank Ferris and also the 70 doctors and nurses who joined us from Jodhpur, Ajmer, Sirohi, Punjab and Jaipur. The 8 hours CME were interactive and presented participants with 2 CME points. The participants benefitted from the comprehensive sessions on pain management, wound care and prognostication. It was a fantastic learning experience with Dr Frank Ferris”. Dr Frank also conducted sessions for oncologists and nurses. A special session, ‘The harms of ventilation’ was organised for Intensivists and emergency physicians.
PCSI, RIMS, and NHM Manipur, jointly conducted ‘Pallicon 2023’ between 3rd and 4th February, 2023, at Imphal, Manipur
The Palliative Care Society Imphal (PCSI) in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and the NHM, Manipur, successfully conducted their 4th annual and International palliative conference, ‘Pallicon 2023’ on Friday, 3rd February, 2023, and Saturday, 4th February, 2023 at Imphal, Manipur. The Pre conference workshop was held on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023.
The two day in-person conference was organised at the Jubilee Hall of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, while the pre-conference workshop was held at Imphal Peace Museum, Nambol.
The conference was themed: ‘Early Palliative Care for All’ to create awareness about the critical and growing need for palliative care along with highlighting the benefits of early integration while caring for those patients who are in need of palliative care services.
The very interactive and interesting conference was attended by over 400 healthcare professionals and volunteers from all over Manipur as they listened to sessions on integrating agencies in palliative care, integrating radiation oncology and family medicine in palliative care, ethics and communication in palliative care, pain and non-malignant palliative care, pediatric palliative care, emergencies in palliative care, palliative care at health and wellness centers and home, volunteerism in palliative, palliative care for elderly and caregiver burnout.
The delegates were welcomed by Prof. Brogen Singh Akoijam (Dean, RIMS, Imphal). Post the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, Dr N Subodha (Secretary, PCSI) delivered the Keynote address. Dr H Priyosakhi Devi (Director, RIMS, Imphal) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr Sanjeeb Singh Nepram (Superintendent, RIMS, Imphal) and Dr Kh Palin (Managing Director, Shija Hospitals) were the Guests of Honours. Other dignitaries present were Dr Ksh Manglem (President, PCSI), Dr Suresh Kumar (Director, IPM), Dr Brogen Singh Akoijam (Dean, RIMS, Imphal). The organising secretary of the conference was Dr Nandan Choudhary.
A ‘National workshop in Qualitative Research Methodologies’ was conducted jointly by the CCRYN, AIIMS Raipur, Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, and Unit of Palliative Medicine, AIIMS Raipur, on 3rd February, 2023
A hybrid ‘National workshop in Qualitative Research Methodologies’ was conducted jointly under the segues of CCRYN Center for Mind Body interventions through Yoga, AIIMS Raipur, under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, in association with unit of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, AIIMS Raipur, on Friday, 3rd February, 2023.
The workshop aimed to provide enthusiastic participants with an overview of qualitative research methodologies (Approach, protocol writing, qualitative data collection methods, Data management and analysis, Reporting), which also included discussions around various qualitative research opportunities in the intersection of palliative care and yoga. The workshop was attended by a total of 85 participants who included Doctors, Yoga researchers, HoD’s of various Departments, Senior Nursing Officers and students.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Nitin M Nagarkar (Director & CEO, AIIMS, Raipur), Dr Vadiraj (Deputy Director, Ministry of Ayush) and other dignitaries. Dr Vikram Pai (Medical Officer, AYUSH, Yoga) welcomed the audience after which the Guest of Honour, Dr Raghvendra Rao (Director of CCRYN, Ministry of Ayush, Delhi) addressed the audience. This was followed by Dr Sarita Agrawal’s (Dean, Research, AIIMS Raipur) address as the Special Guest for the inauguration. The Chief Guest for the evening, Dr Nitin M Nagarkar, then delivered his address. Dr Vikram Pai concluded the inauguration with the Vote of Thanks.
Informative and rich lectures were presented by Dr Raghavendra Rao, Dr Avinash Tiwari, Ms Asha Albuquerque Pai (Research Consultant, Prasanna School of Public Health, MAHE, Manipal) and Dr Selim Jahangir (Post Doctoral Fellow, Transdisciplinary Centre for Qualitative Methods, Prasanna School of Public Health, MAHE, Manipal).
The program was conducted under the mentorship of Dr Raghvendra Rao and Dr Naveen Salins (Professor and Head, Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care; Coordinator, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal); while Dr Vikaram Pai and Dr Avinash Tiwari (Specialist, Palliative Medicine Physician, Department of Medical Oncology, AIIMS Raipur) were involved with the designing of the scientific content and the overall coordination of the program.
SVYM, Mysore, in association with GAMC, Bengaluru, sensitise over 100 with the concepts and principles of palliative care on 4th February, 2023
The Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), Mysore, and the Government Ayurveda Medical College (GAMC), Bengaluru, jointly conducted a CME on Saturday, 4th February, 2023, at the GMC’s Auditorium in commemoration of World Cancer Day.
The team leveraged this opportunity to sensitise the captive 100 participants, with the principles and concepts of palliative care. Participants included the teaching staff, the undergraduate and Postgraduate students from GAMC, and in-service Medical and Nursing Officers from Karnataka’s various districts.
The sessions included lectures and discussions on introducing the concept of Palliative Care, where and by whom palliative care is best delivered by, ways of effectively engaging the community and volunteers, Self Care, and Communication in palliative care. The lectures were delivered by a team from SVYM, Dr Deepak Murthy H J (Technical Director, Palliative Care, SVYM), Mr Ramakrishna Mudre B S (Hon. Director, Retail Fundraising, SVYM), and Dr Pushpalatha S (Volunteer, Palliative care Program Bengaluru, SVYM).
Dr Ahalya Sharma (Principal, GAMC) also participated in the program.
NHM Ladhak, trains 12 Nurses and 2 Medical Officers from Leh, in the basics of palliative care on 14th February, 2023
Twelve in-service Nurses and two in-service Medical Officers from Leh were trained in the basics of palliative care, by the National Health Mission, Ladhak, on Tuesday, 14th February, 2023.
This program was the first ever training program that was conducted for nurses from the region. The training was conducted by Dr Rinchen Dolma (Consultant Anaesthetist, SNM Hospital, Leh).
The day long training included sessions on introducing the concepts and principles of palliative care, pain management, Home care, ways of providing palliative care in the community, at the Health and Wellness centers and at referral centers, the role of caregivers, volunteers, ASHA’s and Multi-purpose health workers in providing palliative care, End of life Care, Death and Dying, and communication skills etc.
The trainees were also provided with a few case scenarios for role play, which helped them to apply the concepts learnt during the day.
Golden Butterflies’ trains over 100 nursing students via it’s first ‘Certificate Course in Paediatric Palliative Care’ for Nursing Students on 15th and 16th February, 2023
Golden Butterflies organised its first ‘Certificate Course in Paediatric Palliative Care’ for the nursing students of Sri Ramachandra College of Nursing, on Wednesday, 15th February, 2023, and Thursday, 16th February, 2023.
The two-day intensive course aimed to inculcate the principles of palliative care to improve paediatric patient care through clear communication and effective management of difficult symptoms. The course was designed using a multidisciplinary approach to help nursing students recognise the need for palliative care and paediatric palliative care, assess patient and family needs, enhance their communication skills, and understand pain and symptom management.
Lectures on various aspects of paediatric palliative care were delivered by several experts such as Ms Gilly Burn (Founder Director, Cancer Relief India), Dr Julius Xavier Scott (Medical Director, Golden Butterflies & Pediatric Hemato Oncologist, SRIHER), Dr Rejiv Rajendranath (Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, ICCG & Medical Advisor, Golden Butterflies), Dr Latha M S (MD Pediatrics, IAP PHO Fellowship, MRCPCH (UK) & Professor, Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, SRIHER), Dr Subathra Muthukumaran (Palliative Care Physician and Chief Medical Officer, Golden Butterflies) and Ms Stella Matthew (Counsellor and Managing Trustee, Golden Butterflies).
Post course completion, the nursing students felt increasingly equipped to support the diverse needs of their patients including having a deeper understanding of grief and bereavement. Several course participants also expressed their interest to pursue paediatric palliative care.
For further details about this program, please connect with the team at Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation with an email to letschat@goldenbutterflies.in
The Department of Emergency Medicine, and the Department of Palliative Medicine, KMC Manipal, MAHE, conduct a communication skill workshop between 17th and 20th February, 2023
The Department of Emergency Medicine, and the Department of Palliative Medicine, at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, conducted a communication skills workshop at their hospital, between Friday, 17th February, 2023, and Monday, 20th February, 2023.
The workshop was conducted in connection with an ongoing study titled, ‘Breaking bad news and Objective Assessment of Simulation Training among residents’, in which study subjects needed to be trained in communication skills.
Dr KV Ganapathy (PhD) (Clinical psychologist, and CEO, ‘JASCAP’, Mumbai) led the sessions over the four days. A total of 65 candidates participated in the four-day workshop in which each session lasted for approx 2.5 hours. Each of these sessions were held in 4 batches: Emergency Medicine, Community Medicine, Anesthesia and paediatrics, and improving Doctor-Patient communication.
The objectives of the very interactive and structured communication skills workshop was to particularly train the participants about breaking bad news. At the end of each session, participants were presented with a case scenario, which was used to simulate a scenario of breaking bad news. Feedback was sought from the observers and later summarised by Dr KV Ganapathy with some take home points.
ICPCN launches a a new e-learning course in Hindi
The International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) has recently launched their first Hindi course, the ‘बच्चों की प्रशामक देखभाल का परिचय’ to facilitate people from India to access a Children’s Palliative Care (CPC) e-learning course in their native language and thereby improve access of quality CPC for those children who desperately need it.
This module presented in Hindi, provides an introduction to paediatric palliative care, the ways to address and manage issues in paediatric palliative care, highlight the differences in caring for child and adult palliative care patients, while also providing insights to the global scenario for the need for paediatric palliative care.
The newly launched free e-course is a part of the ICPCN’s larger resource pool which is known to be helpful to professionals and lay people working with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. These resources form a part of the ICPCN’s overall educational strategic goal, which provides high-quality Children’s Palliative Care education to meet the identified global need and to thereafter support and empower the ICPCN network to offer training from within one’s own localities.
Please click here for further details about and to access this free e-resource.
Update from IAPC Academy
Report on activities in February
A total of 4 lectures were delivered in February as part of the ‘IAPC Academy’s Online Lecture Series 6’. Series 6 is designed to deliver a total of 35 lectures, which will be presented by students of MD and DNB in Palliative Medicine from across the country and moderated by a Faculty from their respective center.
The series began with Dr Bhanu Pratap Maurya’s superb presentation on ‘Non pharmacological interventions for pain relief in cancer patients’, which was moderated by Dr Sachidanand Jee Bharati. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation on ‘Physiology of dying and management of an actively dying patient’, presented by Dr Dhanashri Kudal and moderated by Dr Prajakta Bhagat. The third lecture of the month was an interesting presentation on ‘Palliative care in Gynaecological Oncology’, presented by Dr Surendra Kumar Pingoliya and moderated by Dr Yogendra Singhal. The sessions for the month concluded with Dr Aswathi Praveen’s fantastic presentation on ‘Pain management in pregnant patients with malignancy’, which was moderated by Dr Anuja Damani.
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 conducted.
Sessions planned for March
We invite you to join us for the lectures scheduled for March from Series 6. Details provided below.
