Education and Training
Last chance to apply for the IAPC’s ‘Certificate Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’
Apply before Tuesday, 24th September, 2024, to participate in the 6th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Certificate Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’, scheduled to be held on Saturday, 28th September, 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.
For further information and to register for the course, please click here.
Apply before 6th September, 2024, to participate in the APM’s course on ‘Advance Nursing Skills in Palliative Care’
Grab the last chance and register before Friday, 6th September, 2024, to participate in the Academy of Palliative Medicine’s (APM) online batch of the ‘Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care’.
The course aims to equip nurses with advanced nursing skills and impart knowledge in Palliative care by empowering them to assess patients’ needs and their symptoms comprehensively, to cultivate effective communication skills to facilitate compassionate and empathetic interactions with patients and their families, and to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills to effectively address complex situations and ethical dilemmas that may arise in palliative care.
The course will be provided via a blended course format which combines synchronous virtual sessions (to provide real-time interaction between expert faculty and participants for discussions and collaborative exercises) with asynchronous learning activities (self-paced study, with access to online resources, and submit assignments) which will be accessed on a learning management system.
16 virtual sessions will be presented over a period of nine months starting from Tuesday, 10th September, 2024. Thereafter, sessions will be held twice a month between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Registered Nurses (BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing, GNM Nursing) are encouraged to apply for the course. Nurses working in Palliative Care Units will be given preference.
Please click here to register for the course. In case further information regarding this program is needed, please connect with the team at apm.iapc@gmail.com / +91 6361646682.
Applications invited for the ‘Global Fellowship Program in Palliative Medicine’ offered by TIPS (Pallium India)
Applications are invited for the one-year ‘Global Fellowship Program in Palliative Medicine’, offered by the Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS), Pallium India.
The global fellowship aims to create a pool of physicians who can provide advanced palliative care to people with serious health-related suffering and their families. Doctors with an MBBS or BDS degree and corresponding medical or dental council registration are eligible to apply for the one-year hybrid fellowship.
The fellowship will offer 15 Masterclass modules on non-cancer palliative care including modules on Medical Research. During the course period, participants will have access to a wide pool of resources through a Learning Management Software (LMS). Additionally, course participants will also have a one-month hands-on training component to provide participants with complete exposure to all the various aspects in palliative care.
Though the course curriculum is developed in collaboration with faculty from the Queen’s University Global Oncology Program at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, it is however not an accredited Queen’s University Fellowship Program.
Please click here for further details and to apply for the program. Please reach out to the team at globalfellowship@palliumindia.org / +91 90726 20041, in case of any queries.
Registrations invited for ‘The Art of Communication’ workshop by Cancer Institute (WIA) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 6th October, 2024
Registrations are invited for the Cancer Institute’s (WIA) workshop on ‘The Art of Communication’, scheduled to be held between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, 6th October, 2024, at the Auditorium, Cancer Institute Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The one-day in-person workshop is being organised by the Department of Anaesthesia, Pain and Palliative Care, Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai, and will be presented by expert palliative care professionals from across the country.
The experiential learning workshop aims to train physicians handling cancer patients to master difficult conversations by employing a combination of didactic lectures, hands-on exercises, role plays, and also provide real time constructive feedback to course participants.
Please note that only 30 participants will have an opportunity to participate in the workshop which will also earn them CME credits and a certificate.
Please click here to register for the workshop. For further information or in case of any queries, please reach out to the team at 044 61315608 / ppcadyar@gmail.com.
DNipCare in association with TNAI (Telangana Chapter) and ECHO India inaugurated the ‘DNipCare Academic Series on Palliative Care for Nursing Students’ on 3rd August, 2024
The ‘DNipCare Academic Series on Palliative Care for Nursing Students’, an online academic series in palliative care, was inaugurated virtually by DNipCare, in association with Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) (Telangana Chapter) and ECHO India on Saturday, 3rd August, 2024.
The inaugural session was attended virtually by over 1,700 nursing students from across Telangana. Dr T Dileep Kumar (President, Indian Nursing Council) inaugurated the series which will present a total of 8 sessions virtually (weekly) for students who are pursuing their second year of BSc Nursing.
Mr Subu Rahman IAAS (President, DNipCare), Dr Roy K George (National President, TNAI), Dr Savita Butola (Secretary, IAPC), Mr K V Hamza (General Secretary, DNipCare), Dr Rajeswari Muppidi (President, TNAI Telangana) etc. graced the occasion virtually and shared a few inspirational words with the participants along with highlighting the need for delivering quality palliative care services for those suffering from serious health related illnesses.
The technical component of the training program is being led by expert palliative care nurses Ms Alice Stella Verginia and Prof (Dr) A .T. Kora, and with sessions being presented by expert palliative nursing faculty from across the country. Mr Suresh T P (Secretary, DNipCare) will be coordinating the overall program.
18 healthcare professionals participated in KIPCER’s ‘Skills in Neuropalliative Care’ course on 3rd and 4th August, 2024
Karunashraya Institute of Palliative Care Education and Research’s (KIPCER) course, ‘Skills in Neuropalliative Care’, was conducted successfully at Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya, on Saturday, 3rd August, 2024, and Sunday, 4th August, 2024.
18 neurologists and palliative care physicians from across the country participated in the 10-hour workshop which provided them with an immersive experience in prognostication and communication skills in neurology palliative care.
The interactive workshop included discussions on prognostic and / or ethical issues, and several role plays which empowered participants with an understanding of neurologic illness, application of clinical ethics and skilled communication for shared decision making.
The experiential workshop was conducted by eminent faculty from both palliative care and neurology and included experts such as Dr. Roop Gursahani, Dr. Rajinder K Dhamija, Dr. Nagesh Simha along with Dr. Krithika Rao, Dr. Seema R Rao, Dr. Priya Thomas, and Ms. Michelle Normen.
SAIMS College of Nursing, Indore, conducted a 3-day module on Palliative Care for second year nursing students, between 7th and 9th August, 2024
The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) College of Nursing, Sri Aurobindo University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, conducted a 3-day module on Palliative Care for nursing students pursuing their second year of BSc Nursing, between Wednesday, 7th August, 2024, and Friday, 9th August, 2024.
100 nursing students participated in this training program which was conducted as per the mandate issued by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) to impart knowledge and skills related to holistic care, symptom management, and supportive care for patients with advanced illnesses.
The training module was designed to include interactive lectures, practical demonstrations and rich group discussions covering topics such as principles of palliative care, holistic care approaches, effective symptom management, and the importance of supportive care. The training was presented by a team from the Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, SAIMS, Indore, represented by Dr Pankaj Singhai (Associate Professor and Head), Dr Swapnil Bareskar (Assistant Professor and Interventional Pain Specialist), Ms Maya Nair (Specialist Palliative Care Nurse) and Ms Dipali Kumar (Specialist Palliative Care Nurse).
At the end of the training, the students gained a deeper understanding of palliative care and were equipped with the necessary skills needed to provide holistic care to patients with advanced illnesses. The next step of the training may involve the facilitation of integrating this newly acquired knowledge into clinical practice and continuing education on palliative care.
TMC Mumbai conducted their 2nd annual CEPaC successfully on 10th and 11th August, 2024
The Tata Memorial Centre’s (TMC) 2nd annual Continuing Education in Palliative Care (CEPaC), was conducted successfully on Saturday, 10th August, 2024, and Sunday, 11th August, 2024.
50 palliative care physicians including faculty participated in the interactive workshop which was organised by the Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Center (TMC) Mumbai, at the R D Choksi Auditorium at TMH, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The focussed workshop included rich and in-depth case discussions on Patient Management using Point of Care Ultra Sound (PM-POCUS), a hands-on Ultrasound Workshop, in which the concepts, the principles, the objectives, the available evidence, and practical application of PM-POCUS were delved into.
The workshop also included other lectures and workshops on topics such as Symptom Assessment, Cancer Thrombosis, Effusions, etc.
The two-day in-person workshop concluded with sessions on advanced renal scanning, and with a cross-fertilisation of ideas and knowledge along with thought-provoking discussions which will certainly improve the quality of life of patients.
The Kozhikode Initiative in Palliative Care sensitises 44 palliative care nurses in the ‘Basics of Home-based Palliative Care’ on 11th August, 2024
The Kozhikode Initiative in Palliative Care’s (KIP) monthly ongoing training for August, 2024, focussed on ‘Basics of Home-based Palliative Care’ and was conducted on Sunday, 11th August, 2024, at the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, Kerala.
The half-day in-person program for August 2024, sensitised 44 palliative care nurses working at the KIPC’s various link centers spread across the city.
The in-person sensitisation activity conducted by Dr Sidhulal K (Medical Officer, IPM, Kozhikode) aimed to empower the enthusiastic nurses with insightful sessions in the basics of home based palliative care, which would facilitate them to provide compassionate palliative care for the needy in the community.
Additionally, participants were also engaged in meaningful and interactive discussions to discuss key strategies to deliver effective home based palliative care, best practices to be adopted while delivering care, and the importance of adopting a holistic approach while delivering care to alleviate the suffering and ensure the dignity and comfort for those suffering from life limiting illnesses.
Participants will return for their next training session in September which will focus on another relevant topic that will update their skills and knowledge and improve their ability to provide care.
IAPC Assam Chapter, the BBCI and ECHO India, jointly launch a Webinar Series in Palliative Care from 16th August, 2024
The IAPC Assam Chapter along with the Department of Palliative Medicine, Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) and ECHO India, have launched a webinar series in palliative care from Friday, 16th August, 2024.
Anyone interested in palliative care are welcome to join the free-to-attend webinar series which is designed to spread awareness about the basic concepts of palliative care and also enrich one’s knowledge about palliative care from the region. Lectures from this series are scheduled to be presented on a monthly basis between August 2024 and June 2025, on the third Friday of every month between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. (IST).
The inaugural lecture from the series was presented by Dr Dinesh Chandra Goswami (CEO and Secretary, Guwahati Pain and Palliative Care Society, Guwahati, Assam), on ‘How Benefits of Palliative care can be derived?’. This interactive session was attended by over 40 individuals from across Assam.
For further information or to register for the webinar series, please connect with the organisers at bbcipalliativeoncology@gmail.com / +91 86381 34645.
The 6th CME of the Delhi State Chapter of the IAPC conducted in association with the ONAI Delhi Chapter, at Delhi, on 18th August, 2024
The 6th CME of the Delhi State Chapter of the IAPC, ‘Don’t be scared of cancer: Stay protected, change a bit, do a bit and dodge off sufferings to gain endurance’, was conducted jointly by the Delhi State Chapter of the IAPC and the Oncology Nursing Association of India (ONAI) Delhi Chapter, on Sunday, 18th August, 2024, at Dr. B.R.A.IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi.
Over 90 enthusiastic individuals (60 nurse delegates, 10 doctors, 20 Nursing faculty and a few organisers) participated in the CME, which began with the organising secretaries, Ms Nileema Shingade, and Ms Seena K Murthy, welcoming the gathering. This was followed by the felicitation of Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC) and Dr Seema Mishra (Chairman, Delhi State Chapter of the IAPC) for their efforts in oncology nursing and towards the organising of this CME.
Interesting sessions were presented between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on various topics such as the scope of cancer prevention, the role of nurses in counselling patients for screening and adherence to follow up, an exploration of the complexities of Liquid biopsy, Next Generation Sequencing, coding and detection of cancer in precancerous stage, the prevention of breast and cervical cancer, chemo prevention, an update of the surgical options available in the prevention of breast, ovarian and colon cancers, etc. Sessions also focussed on cancer pain management, other symptom management, the NDPS Act, and the critical role of palliative care nurses in providing direct and indirect care.
8 dedicated stations for skill development on various critical nursing procedures were also included in the CME.
The very interactive and hands-on CME concluded with a post-test, a vote of thanks and the distribution of certificates to participants.
Please click here to read the complete and detailed report.
Department of Community Medicine, MMCRI, and SVYM, successfully conducted a CME on ‘Integrated and Comprehensive Palliative Care: Making it happen’ on 22nd August, 2024
The Department of Community Medicine, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, and the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), Mysore, jointly conducted a CME on ‘Integrated and Comprehensive Palliative Care: Making it happen’ on Thursday, 22nd August, 2024.
A total of 287 enthusiastic individuals (Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Students, faculty etc.) participated in the interactive CME held at Hall B, New Academic Block, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka.
The CME included sessions on an Overview of Palliative Care, the Current status and challenges of palliative care in India, The delivery of palliative care for acute and end of life care scenarios in hospital settings, communication, approach to symptom management and pain management, home based palliative care and community engagement, and opportunities and career perspectives in palliative care, presented by expert faculty from palliative care. The CME concluded with an excellent and rich Panel discussion on Integration of palliative care in the health care system.
45 individuals of WB CHAI sensitised about palliative care and its benefits on 24th and 25th August, 2024
45 very interested individuals from the West Bengal Catholic Hospital Association of India (WB CHAI) were sensitised about the basics of palliative care and the benefits of its early integration in the care pathway on Saturday, 24th August, 2024, and Sunday, 25th August, 2024.
The sensitisation activity was conducted as a part of the 28th General Body Meeting of the WB CHAI, which was held at the Navjeevan Rural Hospital, Gayaganga, Siliguri, West Bengal.
The gathering consisted of Doctors, Nurses, and Fathers and Sisters of the WB CHAI. Archbishop Thomas D’ Souza (Chairman, Health Commission, Kolkata), Fr Dr Mathew Abraham (Director General, CHAI, Hyderabad), Fr Isak Ayappan (Director, North East CHAI) and Sr Antonio (President, WB CHAI) were also present during the sensitisation session.
During the sessions, Dr Pankaj Chowdhary (Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Palliative Physician, Shanti Nursing Home, Siliguri, West Bengal) presented sessions on the basics of palliative care – concept, principles, and the significant benefits of integrating palliative care in the care trajectory for those patients suffering from life limiting illnesses.
The interactive session concluded with an interesting discussion in which the audience had an opportunity to have their queries addressed and eliminate some of the popular myths and misconceptions related to palliative care.
30 Nurses at Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bengaluru, sensitised in the basics of palliative care on 29th July, 2024
30 hospital nurses from various departments of Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, Bengaluru, were sensitised in the basics of palliative care on Monday, 29th July, 2024.
The sensitisation program was conducted at the Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, Manipal, as a part of their Nurses Education and Training activity. The session conducted by Dr Akshaya Kinagi (Consultant, Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bengaluru) aimed to create awareness on palliative care to the hospital nursing staff by touching upon the basic concepts of palliative care and highlighting the importance and need for integrating palliative care services to help improve the quality of care provided to their patients.
The session also included a very interactive discussion section to gauge and understand the current level of awareness of palliative care among the hospital nursing staff. Several myths about palliative care were also addressed during the session.
Those nurses who express interest towards palliative care will now be identified and offered training in palliative care.
75 Nurses from Aster CMI, and Aster Whitefield and RV, Bengaluru, participate in the EPEC course for Nurses in July 2024
The Education in Palliative and End of Life Care (EPEC) course for nurses were conducted at separately for the nurses from Aster CMI, and for nurses from Aster Whitefield and RV, Bengaluru, Karnataka, in July 2024.
Each of the sessions were in-person sessions which spanned for 2.5 days, and aimed to bring together healthcare professionals committed to providing compassionate and holistic end-of-life care.
The session at Aster Whitefield and RV, Bengaluru, was conducted between Thursday, 18th July, 2024, and Saturday, 20th July, 2024, and was attended by 38 nurses from various departments in the hospital. The session at Aster CMI, Bengaluru, was conducted between Thursday, 25th July, 2024, and Saturday, 27th July, 2024, and was attended by 35 nurses from various departments in the hospital.
Each of the sessions included didactic lecture presentations along with practical group activities and covered topics such as Introduction to palliative care, pain management, communication skills, bed bound patient care, pain and other symptom management, spiritual care, end of life care, lymphodema etc. Each of the sessions began with a pre-test and concluded with a post-test and the distribution of certificates for the participants.
Both sessions were led by Dr Raghavendra Ramanjulu (Lead Consultant, Palliative Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru) and Dr Amelia Micheal (Senior Specialist, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru), with sessions being presented by expert palliative care professionals from across Bengaluru.
Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad, pilots a model ‘CAS initiative’ across 4 schools between March and June 2024
Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad, Telangana, piloted and rolled out a ‘Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) initiative’ across 4 international schools throughout Hyderabad, between March and June, 2024.
The structured program aimed to sensitise students with the basics of palliative care and help create a compassionate community in the region. The project is being led under the leadership of a team from Sparsh Hospice which includes Ms Radhika Kancharla (Centre Head), Ms Sarada Lingaraju (Head, Counselling) and Ms Satya Sita Kavalipurapu (Head, Training).
The novel program targeted students of class 11 and 12, and required them to complete 4 modules (includes both educational and practical components) spread across 48 hours. Once enrolled into the project, students had the unique opportunity to engage in real world experiences in palliative care which led to personal development and numerous episodes of self reflections.
The pilot program sensitised 400 students regarding palliative care of which 75 of them completed the project which has shown spectacular results in building compassionate communities and enhanced empathetic practice among the students. Having understood the concept of palliative and hospice care, they have now begun to generate awareness within their own communities and have also reached out to several families who are in need of such services.
Please click here to read the complete report as submitted by Team Sparsh.
Update from the APM’s lecture series
Report on activities in August 2024
3 lectures were presented as a part of the ‘Academy of Palliative Medicine’s online Lecture Series 2’ during August, 2024. A total of 15 lectures focussing on ‘Psychosocial Issues in Palliative Medicine’ will be presented every monday morning between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. during this series. These lectures will be delivered by Students of MD and DNB in Palliative Medicine from across the country and moderated by expert Faculty from across the country.
The first session delivered in August was a comprehensive presentation on ‘Dealing with personality traits / disorders in Palliative Medicine practice’ presented by Dr Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay and moderated by Dr Avinash Tiwari. An insightful presentation on ‘Dealing with patients with severe and other mental illness in Palliative Medicine practice’ presented by Dr Suhana Sulfiker and moderated by Dr Shalini Singh. The sessions for August concluded with an interesting presentation on ‘Psychological issues in a patient with advanced malignancies’ presented by Dr Navas Bright and moderated by Dr Meenakshi V V.
There was no session presented on Monday, 26th August, 2024, due to festivities.
The IAPC thanks all our speakers and the moderators for sharing their time and expertise to enrich the knowledge of the palliative care’s community.
Sessions planned for September 2024
We invite you to join us for the lectures scheduled for September. Details as follows:
