Palliative Care 1 Approach to Care and Communication Skills
This 6-week online course is the foundational course in the certificate and focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner in applying a palliative approach to care within any practice setting. Participants will be introduced to the core competencies for palliative care that can be applied across the continuum from diagnosis to end of life. They will explore resources, prognostication tools and life-limiting illness trajectories that aid in communication, decision making and planning of care. Participants will also have an opportunity to apply communication tools to common difficult conversations such as advance care planning and goals of care. These tools and skills form the basis of NP practice required to address the multifaceted needs of clients with progressive disease and will support complex symptom and end of life care management that is comprehensively addressed in courses 2 & 3.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
- Articulate the Nurse Practitioner role in working with adult clients and their families living with a progressive and life-limiting illness.
- Develop a plan to incorporate a palliative approach to care and palliative care core competencies into their routine NP practice.
- Utilize early identification & prognostication tools as part of a comprehensive assessment to guide decision making and care planning at key transition points in the trajectory of a serious illness.
- Select and utilize specific communication tools to facilitate communication about the illness including breaking bad news, Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care conversations.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and identify strategies for self-care in caring for the terminally-ill.
- Identify appropriate resources and referrals for clients and their families living with progressive and life-limiting illness.
Certificate Criteria
This is the first of three online courses as part of the Certificate in Palliative Care for Nurse Practitioners: Core Competencies for NP Practice. Participants successfully completing all three courses within a two-year period will receive the continuing education certificate.
Audience
The certificate is for Nurse Practitioners (and/or Nurse Practitioner Program students) and those in Advanced Practice and/or CNS roles who, as part of their routine practice, may be responsible for the care of adult clients with progressive and life-limiting illnesses. The practice setting may include acute care, long-term care, community, primary care or private practice.
Course participants must hold current registration as a Nurse Practitioner in their province (or as a Registered Nurse enrolled in a Nurse Practitioner program, or working in an Advanced Practice Role)
Course Outline
This course is a 6-week course delivered through the University of Toronto’s learning management system (Quercus). It is primarily self-paced; however participants are required to engage in discussions and submit activities/assignments within identified timelines (weekly). It is estimated that up to 8 hours of study per week is required for successful completion. The course will utilize a series of case scenarios to enhance learning and application.
In each of the 6 weeks, participants are expected to:
For this course, the learning activities / assignments include:
Pre-course access will be available to allow for testing of computers and general navigation.
| Time | Description | Evaluative Components |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Introduction to Palliative Care Concepts & the NP Role
|
Discussion Board Post |
|
Week 2 |
Early Identification & Illness Trajectory
|
Discussion Board Post |
|
Week 3 |
Communication & Therapeutic Relationship Building
|
Case Study Assignment |
|
Week 4 & 5 |
Key Conversations in Progressive Illness and Palliative Care (2 Weeks)
|
Discussion Board Post |
|
Week 6 |
NP Practice Environment Enablers
|
LIVE Conversation Tool Application Session |
Course content will remain open after faculty have posted final grades for your review.
Course Director
Leasa Knechtel
Associate Director, Centre for Professional Development
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream
Faculty
Julia Johnston, RN-EC, BScN, MN, NP-Adult, CHPCN(C)
Nurse Practitioner Palliative Care, Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network
Karen Lock, RN(EC), NP-Adult, NP-C, BScN, MN, CON(C), CHPCN(C)
Nurse Practitioner, Supportive Care, Medicine Program & The Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care, North York General Hospital
Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Palliative Care 2: Complex Symptom Management
This 6-week online course focuses on complex symptom management for clients with progressive disease. Participants will review health assessment including appropriate use of screening and diagnostics tools to gather information […]
Palliative Care 3: End-of-Life Care Management
This 6-week online course focuses on end-of-life care for clients with progressive disease. Participants will explore the changes that occur with conversations and symptom assessment & management as clients near the […]
Registration Information
- Early Bird price (ends September 21, 2024)
- $735 + HST
- Regular price (starts September 22, 2024)
- $810 + HST
- U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%*
- $690 + HST
- U of T Nursing Adjunct and Status Faculty save 15%**
- $690 + HST
- NPAO Member save 15%***
- $690 + HST
Site Groups
A group discount rate of 15% is available for site groups of three or more people. To book please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.
Please Note
- Refund Policy – To withdraw from a course, send a written request to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca by September 21, 2024. No refunds will be given after this date. All refunds are subject to an administrative fee of $100 + tax. Alternatively, a colleague may attend in your place. Please send your substitution request at least 3 days prior to the course to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.
- Registration deadline: October 21, 2024.
- *U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD graduates of the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
- **U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to individuals with a faculty position, adjunct or status appointment, or are a Clinical Instructor (current academic year only) at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
- ***NPAO (Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario) members may register at the NPAO rate which is 15% off the regular rate. Please note, your name will be used to confirm that you are a member of the NPAO.
- Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
- Course Cancellation Policy – The Centre for Professional Development reserves the right to cancel courses due to circumstances. The decision to cancel a course is normally made 15 days prior to the course. If you are enrolled in a course which is subsequently cancelled, you may apply your fee to another course, or receive a full refund. The Centre is not responsible for any travel or other expenses incurred by you.