Palliative care – the essentials

This course is divided into five key units:

Unit 1: The Palliative Approach
This unit introduces the core principles of palliative care, focusing on optimising comfort and quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses. It explains the role of palliative care in symptom management, psychological support, and improving patients' well-being by considering their holistic needs, including cultural and family dynamics​.

Unit 2: Language and Communication
Participants will learn how to navigate difficult conversations with patients and their families, using clear and empathetic communication. The unit addresses breaking bad news, discussing prognosis, and setting realistic goals of care while managing patient and family expectations.

Unit 3: Pain Management
This unit covers the assessment and treatment of pain in palliative care, focusing on different types of pain (nociceptive, neuropathic, visceral) and how to manage them with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Key concepts such as the WHO analgesic ladder and opioid use are discussed​.

Unit 4: Symptom Management - Gastrointestinal Tract
In this unit, participants explore how to manage gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and constipation, which are common in palliative care. Treatment options include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, tailored to each patient’s needs.

Unit 5: Symptom Management - Dyspnea, Fatigue, and Mood
The final unit focuses on managing respiratory symptoms, chronic fatigue, and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Strategies include medication, psychological support, and the use of syringe drivers for continuous symptom relief.

This course equips healthcare professionals with essential tools for providing holistic and patient-centred palliative care.