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Symptom Management in Palliative Care

Approx. 10 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course teaches the fundamental aspects of managing symptoms in palliative care. It covers the assessment and management of physical, psychological, and social symptoms in patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Key Learning Points

Learn how to assess and manage physical, psychological, and social symptoms in palliative care patients
Understand the principles of pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of symptoms
Gain knowledge on ethical issues and cultural considerations in palliative care

Learning Outcomes

Ability to assess and manage physical, psychological, and social symptoms in palliative care patients
Understanding of ethical issues and cultural considerations in palliative care
Knowledge of pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of symptoms

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of palliative care
Interest in symptom management

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online Course
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Palliative Care Always
Palliative Care: Getting Started

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Kathleen Benton, MSN, RN, CHPN
Christian Sinclair, MD

Related Books

Description

This course should be taken after the Essentials of Palliative Care course and continues building your primary palliative care skills – communication, psychosocial support and goals of care. You will learn how to screen, assess, and manage both physical and psychological symptoms. You will explore common symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and distress and learn specific treatments. You will continue to follow Sarah and Tim’s experience and learn cultural competencies critical for optimal symptom management.

The Stanford University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Visit the FAQs below for important information regarding 1) Date of original release and Termination or expiration date; 2) Accreditation and Credit Designation statements; 3) Disclosure of financial relationships for every person in control of activity content.

Knowledge

Respond to the subjective experience of symptoms and side effects using assessment tools and communication skills
Conduct a pain assessment and provide basic pain management using medication and lifestyle modification
Describe several interventions to help with emotions and coping and the role the palliative care psychiatrist plays in caring for the patient
Define distress and common causes of emotional distress related to life-threatening illness

Outline

Course Introduction and Overview
First Steps
Course Faculty
Patient and Family Perspective
Pre-Assessment
Reflecting on Symptoms

Review of Palliative Care
Basics of Palliative Care
Communication Skills
Psychosocial Support
Goals of Care/Advance Care Planning
A New Diagnosis
Visit with a Palliative Care Social Worker
Goals of Care Visit
Key Concepts in Palliative Care
Meet Sarah Foster
Palliative Care Knowledge Check

Pain
Visit with Palliative Physician
Pain Assessment and Management
Scenes with Sarah
Introduction to Pain Assessment and Management
Additional Approaches
References and Additional Reading
Module Resources
Knowledge Check
Talking about Pain
Module 3 Assessment

Other Physical Symptoms
Visit with a Palliative APN
Nausea Assessment and Management
Fatigue Assessment and Management
Scenes with Sarah
Mirror into Tim's Mind
Optional Case Study
Introduction to Assessing and Managing Nausea
Introduction to Assessing and Managing Fatigue
Additional Symptoms
References and Additional Reading
Module Resources
Care for the Caregiver
Case Study Questions
Knowledge Check
Knowledge Check
Module 4 Assessment

Distress
Emotions and Coping
Cancer and Stress
Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Managing Stress
Scenes with Sarah
Mirror into Tim's Mind
Introduction to Emotions and Coping
References and Additional Reading
Module Resources
Care for the Caregiver
Knowledge Check
Module 5 Assessment

Final Steps
Claiming CME Credit
Reflection Revisited
Final Exam

Summary of User Reviews

Discover how to manage symptoms for patients with serious illnesses in this comprehensive course on palliative care symptom management. Find out what users are saying about this course and how it can benefit you.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Many users found the course to be very informative and helpful in understanding the complexities of palliative care symptom management.

Pros from User Reviews

In-depth coverage of symptom management for serious illnesses
Well-organized course content with clear presentation
Experienced instructors with a wealth of knowledge on the subject

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too advanced for beginners
Limited opportunities for interaction with instructors or other students
No certificate or credential offered upon completion

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