Palliative Care - Advanced

This advanced palliative care course provides in-depth insights and practical knowledge to equip healthcare professionals with the tools to manage complex palliative care cases. The course is divided into six detailed units, each focusing on critical aspects of end-of-life care:

Unit 1: Management of Neurological Symptoms
This unit addresses common neurological symptoms in palliative care, such as headaches, seizures, restlessness, muscle cramps, and spasms. The unit highlights the importance of understanding the causes and proper management strategies, including the use of medications like steroids, analgesics, and antiemetics​.

Unit 2: Management of Haematological Symptoms
Participants learn about managing haematological issues such as anaemia, neutropenia, and bleeding disorders. The unit provides guidance on blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, and the management of clotting disorders. The focus is on balancing symptom relief with the patient’s quality of life​.

Unit 3: Management of Dermatological Symptoms
This unit covers skin care challenges in palliative patients, including pruritus, skin infections, pressure ulcers, and peripheral oedema. Practical approaches, such as skincare routines, wound management, and the use of specific medications, are explored to improve patient comfort​.

Unit 4: Care in the Last Days of Life
This unit emphasizes recognizing when death is imminent and preparing both patients and families for the end-of-life phase. It includes managing key symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, agitation, and respiratory secretions, with a focus on compassionate care and communication​.

Unit 5: Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)
Here, participants will explore the ethical and procedural aspects of voluntary assisted dying. The unit discusses the eligibility criteria, the process involved, and the experiences of both patients and healthcare professionals in regions where VAD is legal​.

Unit 6: Carer Support
This final unit focuses on providing support to carers of palliative patients. It addresses the physical, emotional, and financial burdens faced by carers and offers strategies for managing mental health, physical well-being, and legal challenges​.

This course offers valuable insights for healthcare providers, enabling them to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care for patients and their families during the most challenging stages of illness.