Education and Training
Applications invited for the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers
The IAPC is inviting registrations for the fourth online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers’.
Individuals who can commit, who have the time, and are willing to offer their services in palliative care facilities are invited to register for the course which aims to equip and empower ‘compassionate volunteers’ with relevant knowledge and interpersonal skills needed to volunteer in palliative care settings. The course will therefore place strong emphasis on communication skills, counselling skills, and the various psycho-social issues and its management, which a volunteer might potentially be faced with.
The course will be delivered in two components: a 16-hour virtual and theoretical ‘Part A’ component, and a 16 hour in-person practical ‘Part B’ component. Only those candidates successfully completing both components of the program will be eligible to receive the course completion certificate.
The 16-hour ‘Part A’ component of the course will be delivered over 6 days (2 hours each during the weekdays and 4 hours over the weekend) in May 2024. The course dates for this component of the course are 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th and 18th May, 2024.
Post successfully completing the ‘Part A’ component of the course, course participants can proceed to the ‘Part B’ of the program, a 16-hour observership in any recognised palliative care unit.
For further details and to apply, please click here.
Submit applications before 9th March, 2024, to participate in the IAPC’s ‘Certificate Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’
Grab the last chance to apply and participate in the 5th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Certificate Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’, scheduled to be held on Saturday, 16th March, 2024.
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 parts; a virtual 4.5 hour Part A module and an in-person 2.5 hour Part B module.
While the course is primarily designed for candidates with a Diploma or a Degree in Pharmacy, Doctors (MBBS, BDS) are also eligible to participate in the course.
Please click here for further information and to register for the course.
Register before 5th March, 2024, to participate in the ‘Annual Foundation course in Palliative care’ offered jointly by CanSupport and IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi
Applications are invited for the in-person ‘Annual Foundation course in Palliative Care’ scheduled for Monday, 11th March, 2024, and Tuesday, 12th March, 2024, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium, Conference Hall, first floor, (Near Director’s office), AIIMS Delhi. The two-day program is offered jointly by CanSupport and the Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Doctors, nurses, Counsellors and Social workers are encouraged to apply for the program where they will be introduced to topics such as principles of palliative care, role of multidisciplinary teams in palliative care, Pain and symptom management, Oncological emergencies, Communication skills, Nursing issues, End-of-life care, Grief and bereavement etc.
Expert faculty from both Cansupport and AIIMS New Delhi will be presenting the sessions which will include case presentations and interactive discussions.
The last date to register for the program is Tuesday, 5th March, 2024. For further details and to register for the program, please reach out to either Dr Ishita Gandhi (9829709351) or Ms Savita Luka (9818447782).
Applications invited for the ‘Health Research Methodology and Evidence Based Medicine’ course held between 11th and 15th March, 2024
Applications are invited for the ‘Health Research Methodology and Evidence Based Medicine’ course offered by St John’s Medical College and Research Institute (MCRI) and faculty from McMaster University, Canada. The one-week in-person course is scheduled to be held at St John’s Medical College and Research Institute, between Monday, 11th March, 2024, and Friday, 15th March, 2024.
Healthcare professionals (Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists), Post graduate and PhD Students, Pharma Industry professionals, Ethics committee members, regulators and health policy makers are eligible to apply for the program.
The training program will be presented by faculty from St John’s and across India along with faculty from McMaster University, Canada and University of Toronto, Canada. The course is designed to feature 20 interactive lectures, 4 journal clubs, 4 zen protocol sessions and 4 project presentations. The training will also include Hands-on sessions on SPSS along with participants having the opportunity to receive feedback from peers and faculty on group presentations.
The course organisers have announced that scholarships and travel bursaries are available for select candidates.
For further information and to apply, please contact Dr Denis Xavier at hrmebm_training@sjri.res.in / 8867298195 or 8088759815.
Registrations invited for Pallium India’s course on ‘Essentials of Palliative Medicine for Pulmonologists’
Apply to participate in Pallium India’s virtual course on ‘Essentials of Palliative Medicine for Pulmonologists’ scheduled to be held between Thursday, 18th April, 2024, and Thursday, 20th June, 2024. Sessions will be held on Zoom every Thursday between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (IST), for 9 weeks starting Thursday, 18th April, 2024.
Pulmonologists and Residents in Pulmonology are eligible to apply for the program which aims to facilitate the integration of the principles of palliative care into their Pulmonology practice, with special focus on Chronic Lung Diseases. The course will consist of didactic presentations, video presentations, case based learning and active discussion rounds.
The program will include sessions on the benefits of integrating palliative care in patients with advanced lung diseases, chronic breathlessness syndrome, fatigue, insomnia, anorexia and other challenging symptoms in respiratory conditions, difficult communication, how to deliver holistic care in the ICU and about what really matters at the end of life.
Please click here for further information and to register for the program.
CanSupport launches ‘Guidelines for Home-based palliative care and Out-Patient palliative care teams’ during IAPCON 2024
CanSupport launched their latest publication ‘Guidelines for Home-based palliative care and Out-Patient palliative care teams’ on Friday, 9th February, 2024, during IAPCON 2024.
Ms Harmala Gupta (Founder, CanSupport) writes in the foreword, “This book is the culmination of more than twenty-five years of experience and exemplary service rendered by CanSupport’s trained and talented palliative care teams”.
For further details and to purchase a copy of this book, please reach out to Dr Ishita Gandhi (Director, Palliative Medicine, CanSupport) at lshita.gandhi@cansupport.org.
Dr Avinash Tiwari sensitises viewers of ‘News24’ from MP and Chhattisgarh in the basics of Palliative Medicine on 3rd February, 2024
Dr Avinash Tiwari (Consultant, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Sanjeevani CBCC Cancer Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh) was one of the panellists on a live television program aired by News24 on Saturday, 3rd February, 2024, which aimed to create awareness about cancer care, preventive care and palliative care.
Dr Yusuf Memon (Director and Surgical Oncologist, Sanjeevani CBCC Cancer Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh) and Dr Arpan Chaturmohta (Chief, Surgical Oncology, Sanjeevani CBCC Cancer Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh) were the other two panellists on the show. The trio were therefore able to cover the entire spectrum of oncology.
Viewers of News24 from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were sensitised about the basics of palliative care during the hour-long interview conducted in hindi, which was streamed live. During the program, Dr Tiwari shared insights regarding Palliative Medicine and helped spread awareness about the need for palliative care, the benefits of early integration of palliative medicine, its role, scope, and significance in supportive oncology and life threatening diseases.
We understand that this was probably the first time in a national live interview from the region which allocated maximum time in a panel for palliative medicine which reflects the growing need for such services. Please click here to watch a section of the interview.
150 individuals sensitised about the basics of palliative care at Hyderabad on 3rd February, 2024
Dr Praneeth Suvvari (Consultant, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad) and three oncologists from Hyderabad, were invited to participate in a public awareness program organised by the Lions International MD 320 in association with the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Telangana and Andhra Plastic Manufacturers Association, to sensitise the gathering in the basics of palliative care and cancer care. The event was organised at the KLN Prasad Auditorium, Red Hills, Hyderabad, on Saturday, 3rd February, 2024.
The interactive session was attended by over 150 individuals from different walks of life including philanthropists, professionals and members from the general community.
During Dr Suvvari’s session, he sensitised the audience about the basic concept, the need and importance of palliative care along with the benefits of it’s early integration in cancer care. He then went on to highlight the critical role of a volunteer in a palliative care team. Post his session, several participants came forward to express their willingness and desire to become a volunteer in palliative care.
The session concluded with queries from the audience being addressed by the team of guest speakers.
Annai Adhuragam Hospice and Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Kumbakonam, organise a community sensitisation program in palliative care in Vepatthur, Tamil Nadu, on 4th February, 2024
The team from Annai Adhuragam Hospice (AAH) for the chronically sick in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, in association with Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Kumbakonam, had organised a community awareness program in cancer and palliative care at the Centennial Middle School in Vepatthur, a village, in rural Tamil Nadu on Sunday, 4th February, 2024.
In addition to prior publicity activities to encourage participation in the program, community members were lured to attend the program by playing bhajans and other songs in loudspeakers outside the event venue. Over 60 individuals represented equally by both men, women and even children participated in the awareness generation activity.
Dr Preethi Chandramohan (Director, ST Hospital, Joint Secretary, AAH), Dr K Jayalakshmi (Anaesthetist, AAH) and Ms Sudha Mani (Counsellor, AAH) addressed the curios gathering about pubertal health, postmenopausal health, breast and cervical cancer, and the role, benefits and need for palliative care services. The team also shed light upon how families can help and assist women to cope with their health issues. The audience were then sensitised on how they could support a family whose loved one was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The need and importance of making available emotional, financial, and spiritual support for families receiving such diagnosis was also highlighted.
The session concluded with the Public relations team and the housekeeping staff of AAH sharing stories about how the quality of life of the patients at the hospice was maintained and improved by sheer mental commitment.
190 participants began their training in the IPM’s ‘Fellowship in Palliative Care 2024’
The IPM’s virtual ‘Fellowship in Palliative Care 2024’ began successfully from Monday, 5th February, 2024.
190 participants from 40 countries are participating in the global fellowship program organised jointly by the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), India, the Sanjeevan Palliative Care Project (SPCP), Pondicherry, India, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh, and St Christopher’s Hospice, London, United Kingdom.
Over the next 6 months, course participants will participate in interactive and rich ten full-day online sessions, assignments and group activities. The program is supported by 40 Faculty members and 53 Mentors from 25 countries. At the time of course completion, participants will be empowered with an in-depth knowledge in the core issues of organising palliative care at the grassroot level, about recent advances and challenges in palliative care, about community participation at a regional, national, and global level, etc.
The program had been designed to address the global shortage of organisational and management skills in palliative care across the global community by offering high-quality education. A total of 550 participants from 53 countries have already completed the Fellowship over the past 5 years.
21 paediatric professionals participated in the ‘Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Institute’, at Hyderabad, between 5th and 7th February, 2024
21 emerging paediatric palliative care professionals from South and SouthEast Asia convened at Hotel Avasa, in Hyderabad, Telangana, between Monday, 5th February, 2024, and Wednesday, 7th February, 2024, as a part of their contact session to continue their training in the ‘Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Institute’ program. The training is offered jointly by Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration, Sunflower’s Children Network, Hyderabad Center for Palliative Care, Cipla, Canuck Place Hospice, and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The year long training program which began in December 2023, aims to bring together a diverse group of emerging healthcare leaders from nursing, medicine, and allied health fields, to equip and empower them to lead and champion healthcare innovations in children’s palliative care within their region.
The program began with a visit to two hospices, the Kumudini Devi Hospice and the Mandara Hospice, in Hyderabad. Expert faculty from 5 countries then went on to share their knowledge with participants over the three days. Participants were trained to identify one’s strengths, methods to discover and nurture one’s leadership skills, building effective advocacy campaigns and networking routes etc.
The course participants will continue to receive training via monthly online teaching and discussions with regional and international experts and leaders. Dr Meghan Doherty (Director, Sunflower Children’s Network) shares, “There has been so much learning, networking, and sharing. I am truly inspired to be in a room full of people who have such big dreams for children’s palliative care”. The course organisers share that in total with all of the projects which the 21 leadership scholars are planning an estimated 150,000 children, siblings and parents will be benefitted.
The 5th batch of GNC-DNipCare-EHO India’s ‘Promoting Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing’ begins successfully on 10th February, 2024
The Goa Nursing Council (GNC), DNipCare, and ECHO India’s joint virtual program on ‘Promoting Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing’ began successfully on Saturday, 10th February 2024.
The training program was inaugurated by Shri Manoj Sethi (ICAS, Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India). Dr Nilima Sonawane (ADHS-Nursing, Government of Maharashtra), Dr Sona P S (Registrar, Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council) also attended the inaugural session. Dr Rakesh Garg (Professor, Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS Delhi), Prof (Dr) A T Kora (Nursing Superintendent (Rtd),St Stephen’s Hospital, Delhi), Ms Maibam Ranita Devi (CHO,Health and Wellness Centre,Awang Wabgai, Manipur) etc. were the resource persons for the first session.
100 participants represented by clinical nurses and nursing faculty from different states across the country are currently participating in the 5th batch of the program. The course will be delivered over 8 sessions and will include sessions on providing candidates with an overview of palliative care, symptom management, pain management, paediatric palliative care, home based and community palliative care, communication in palliative care, caring for bedridden patients, wound and stoma care, lymphedema care, and end of life care.
Each session will include didactic presentation by expert faculty which includes case presentations followed by discussions. The participants will be monitored via a pre and post test after each session. The course is scheduled to conclude at the end of May 2024.
The maiden batch of the ‘Compassionate Leadership Fellowship’ program begins on 18th February, 2024
The maiden batch of the ‘Compassionate Leadership Fellowship’ program organised jointly by the IAPC, the Cairdeas International Palliative Care Trust, the Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Global Health Academy (University of Edinburgh), and the RMD Trust, began successfully on Sunday, 18th February, 2024.
19 enthusiastic individuals from India and beyond such as Nepal, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, are currently participating in the year-long advanced leadership program which is designed to inspire, empower, influence, and transform future leaders in palliative care, by inculcating the principles of leadership, teamwork and mentorship skills in the participants.
The first one week face-to-face intensive training session was held at the Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala, between Sunday, 18th February, 2024, and Sunday, 25th February, 2024. Post completing this week-long contact session, course participants will continue to be mentored and supervised for a year by a group of 13 mentors from across the globe in a structured manner with clear goals and objectives.
The 77th ELNEC training program was organised by SAIMS College of Nursing, Indore, between 16th and 18th February, 2024
The 77th ELNEC training program was organised jointly by the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) India and the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) College of Nursing, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, between Friday, 16th February, 2024, and Sunday, 18th February, 2024.
103 nursing students and nursing faculty participated in the very interactive three-day workshop which aimed to empower participants in the principles and concepts of palliative care and enable them to provide quality palliative care for patients with health-related suffering. The program also included concepts on End-of-Life Nursing Care, a nurse’s role in interdisciplinary teams, End of Life Care across settings, role plays on nurse-patient therapeutic communication, breaking bad news, assessment of pain control, wound dressing, symptom management, how to conduct bereavement visits etc.
The training was conducted by Sr. Hanife MacGamwell (Nursing Education Coordinator, IAPC; Head, ELNEC India), Ms Tripti Lodh (Nursing officer, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam), Mr Ramswaroop Garwa (Senior Nursing Officer, Palliative care, AIIMS Jodhpur), Mr Arvind Kumar Sharma (Senior Nursing Officer, Paediatrics, AIIMS Jodhpur), and Mr Sudip Rudra Paul (Nurse, Palliative Care, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati).
The sessions concluded with a blessing of the hands, cake cutting and distribution of certificates.
The team then visited the Palliative Care Unit and met with the Director of the hospital and the other administrators. This training program was incidentally the first training at SAIMS where CNE’s were granted. The program was very well organised and executed by the nursing college.
Pallium India launches a Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine for Faculty of KUHS on 20th February, 2024
As the first step towards integrating Palliative Medicine into the Undergraduate Medical curriculum, Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS), a division of Pallium India, launched a Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine exclusively for faculty associated with the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) on Tuesday, 20th February, 2024.
A total of 95 faculty members from various colleges affiliated under the KUHS will undergo training for a total of 20 weeks starting 20th February, 2024. The curriculum for this training program will cover the principles and concepts of palliative medicine, the basics of pain and its management, basics of symptom management, communication skills, and the management of opioids.
The much needed program was inaugurated by Prof Dr Mohanan Kunnummal (Vice Chancellor, KUHS). Dr C P Vijayan (Pro Vice Chancellor, KUHS) and Dr M R Rajagopal (Director, TIPS) were among the dignitaries present.
AIIMS Rishikesh in collaboration with NHM Uttarakhand, organises a State Level Advocacy workshop on 21st February, 2024
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM) Uttarakhand organises a State Level Advocacy workshop at the Institute of Cooperative Management, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on Wednesday, 21st February, 2024.
A total of 35 Medical Officers and Nursing officers from various districts of Uttarakhand participated in the training program. The participants included a combination of those officers who had already undergone basic training in palliative medicine and those who were new to the field.
The in-person day-long training began with Dr Aditya Singh (Nodal Officer, National Program for Palliative Care, Uttarakhand) presenting an overview of palliative care. This was followed by sessions on the role of officers in opioid access and documentation, Nursing issues, communication skills training, and discussions revolving around the current status of implementation and the identification of hurdles impeding the implementation of palliative care services in the state.
The sessions were presented by a team of Faculty from AIIMS Rishikesh and included Dr Mahendra Singh Ghelot (Additional Professor, Community Medicine), Dr Sweety Gupta (Additional Professor, Radiation Oncology) and Ms Priyanka Patial (Senior Nursing offer and incharge, Radiation Oncology). Mr Rajendra Bijalwan (Pallium India) facilitated discussions regarding the implementation of palliative care services in Uttarakhand.
Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, SCI, Guwahati, and Capecare Foundation, jointly conduct a volunteer training workshop on 25th February, 2024
The Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, State Cancer Institute (SCI), Guwahati, Assam, and Capecare Foundation, had jointly organised a one-day Volunteer training workshop on Sunday, 25th February, 2024 at the SCI.
44 committed individuals from different walks of life participated in the in-person workshop. During the workshop participants were introduced to the concept and basic principles of Palliative care, the role of volunteers, an overview of symptom management, non-pharmacological management, communication skills including Role plays. The sessions were presented by a team from SCI, led by Dr Arun Deka (Professor, Department on Onco-anaesthesia; Head, Palliative Medicine, SCI).
Several senior doctors from SCI also interacted with the participants to share their experiences and motivate the potential volunteers to work wholeheartedly and deliver selfless service to the society.
The interactive session concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony.
Update from APM’s lecture series
Report on activities in February
4 lectures were delivered in February, 2024, as part of the Academy of Palliative Medicine’s online Lecture Series 1. The current 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 sessions for the month began with an excellent presentation on ‘CARer-ADministration of As-needed Subcutaneous Medication for Breakthrough Symptoms in People Dying at Home (CARiAD)’ which was presented by Dr Suhana Sulfiker and moderated by Dr Saurabh Vig. The next was an informative presentation on ‘How to empower family members for home-based care’, presented by Dr Abhiijt Bharadwaj and moderated by Dr Nipun Lamba. The third session for the month was an interesting presentation on ‘Pain management in home care settings’ presented by Dr Amit Sharma and moderated by Dr Ashwin Mathur. The final presentation for February was a comprehensive presentation on ‘Integrating Family Caregivers in Palliative Care: Benefits, Barriers, and Best Practices’ presented by Dr Shruti Kamble and moderated by Dr Kashish Vats.
We thank our speakers and the moderators for sharing their time and expertise to enrich the knowledge of the palliative care’s community.
Sessions planned for March 2024
We invite you to join us for the lectures scheduled for March. Details below:
