This course is part of the Palliative Care Always Specialization

Kavitha Ramchandran +1 more instructor

Offered By

Palliative Care Always SpecializationStanford University

About this Course

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This course starts you on your journey of integrating primary palliative care into your daily lives.  You will learn what palliative care is, how to communicate with patients, show empathy, and practice difficult conversations. You will learn how to screen for distress and provide psychosocial support. You will learn about goals of care and advance care planning and how to improve your success with having these conversations with patients.  Finally, you will explore important cultural considerations and improve your cultural competency on the topics covered.
For clinicians, the goal of this course is to help you incorporate primary palliative care into your daily practice or help you know when to seek a specialist.  We will help you improve your patient’s quality of life and provide self-care tips to help you maintain your own. For patients and caregivers, this course will empower you to talk to your provider and get palliative care, if necessary.

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.

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Course 1 of 5 in the

Palliative Care Always Specialization

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Beginner Level

This course is designed for anyone interested in palliative care and contains optional deep dives on key content for clinicians and social workers.

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

Define the scope of palliative care and the roles of primary and specialist teams in comprehensive care for patients and families

Explain the components of an interdisciplinary patient treatment plan that includes physical, emotional, social and spiritual care

Discuss basic strategies for addressing psychosocial and relationship concerns in the context of serious illness

Engage in goals of care and advance care planning discussions with patients and families

Skills you will gain

Self-CarePalliative CareCommunicationPsychosocial SupportGoals of Care/ACP

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 5 in the

Palliative Care Always Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

This course is designed for anyone interested in palliative care and contains optional deep dives on key content for clinicians and social workers.

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.59/5 (6 Ratings)

Kavitha Ramchandran

Clinical Associate Professor

Oncology & Palliative Care

922 Learners

5 Courses

Jan DeNofrio

Program Manager

Department of Medicine

922 Learners

5 Courses

Offered by

Stanford University

The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is an American private research university located in Stanford, California on an 8,180-acre (3,310 ha) campus near Palo Alto, California, United States.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Course Introduction and Overview

Welcome! Palliative Care Always is about optimizing quality of life at any stage of disease. This course, Essentials of Palliative Care, is rooted in the belief that incorporating the principles of palliative care into clinical practice can improve the quality of life for our patients and their support systems (including clinicians!). A team of Stanford faculty and staff designed this course to educate you about palliative care. Together, you will learn how it intersects with treating serious illness, and how palliative care skills can help improve quality of life for patients, families and providers. Our hope is that you will feel increasingly equipped to support the diverse needs of patients with serious illness.

1 hour to complete

3 readings

3 readings

First Steps2m

Course Faculty1m

Patient and Family Perspective5m

2 practice exercises

Pre-Course Assessment15m

Reflection on Palliative Care15m

2 hours to complete

Introduction to Palliative Care

This module focuses on what palliative care is, the roles of the care team and the difference between primary and speciality palliative care.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 13 min), 6 readings, 4 quizzes

8 videos

Introduction to Palliative Care Always3m

Palliative Care Physician47s

Palliative Care Nurse1m

Palliative Care Social Worker1m

Survivorship Care Nurse1m

Chaplain1m

Child and Family Social Worker1m

Hospice Physician1m

6 readings

Introduction1m

Meet the Care Team1m

Primary vs. Speciality Palliative Care3m

Access to Palliative Care1m

Take-Home Message2m

References and Additional Reading10m

4 practice exercises

Explaining Palliative Care20m

Knowledge Check5m

Knowledge Check2m

Module 2 Assessment4m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Communicating with Patients

Discussing difficult news is always a challenge for a variety of reasons.  In this module, we will cover methods you can use to make these conversations more successful.  

Communication is the foundation of patient and clinician relationships and a key component of palliative care. Effective communication can build trust and promote clarity in the face of difficult decisions. Still, communication--especially about prognosis and transitions in care--is a challenging aspect of patient care in which clinicians cite a lack of confidence and skill. This module covers basic skills in communicating with patients, families, and peers. You will hear about practical ways to incorporate communication skills into your daily practice and your daily life. These skills will help you tune in to the needs and desires of patients and families and form a partnership that promotes well-being.

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 26 min), 7 readings, 4 quizzes

3 videos

A New Diagnosis6m

Communication Basics9m

Discussing Difficult News10m

7 readings

Scenes with Sarah2m

Mirror into Tim's Mind2m

Introduction to Communication Basics4m

Introduction to Discussing Difficult News2m

Cultural Considerations4m

References and Additional Reading10m

Module Resources10m

4 practice exercises

Caregiver Support5m

Knowledge Check15m

Knowledge Check2m

Module 3 Assessment10m

2 hours to complete

Psychosocial Distress

Most families living with cancer will experience some form of emotional, psychological or social distress. This may exist as episodes of grief or anxiety at specific points such as diagnosis or progression, or it may be a more chronic experience that has an ongoing impact on relationships and day-to-day life.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 20 min), 6 readings, 4 quizzes

2 videos

Visit with a Palliative Care Social Worker10m

Psychosocial Support9m

6 readings

Scenes with Sarah2m

Mirror into Tim's Mind4m

Optional Case Study5m

Introduction Psychosocial Support2m

References and Additional Resources10m

Module Resources10m

4 practice exercises

Care for the Caregiver10m

Case Study Questions10m

Knowledge Check3m

Module 4 Assessment8m

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Goals of Care & Advanced Directives

Goals of cancer care are often associated with prolonging life or preparing for the end of life. However, goals of care conversations identify wishes and values that guide every medical decision and help patients and families live the best life possible at every phase of care.

Goals of care discussions help patients and providers balance the evidence about disease and treatment with subjective needs and values. To this end, conversations about goals should be introduced early and revisited regularly to make sure healthcare decisions are in line with a patient's wishes. Throughout this module, we introduce goals of care conversations and communication skills as they relate to identifying goals and values.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 19 min), 7 readings, 4 quizzes

2 videos

Goals of Care Visit5m

Discussing Goals of Care13m

7 readings

Scenes with Sarah2m

Mirror into Tim's Mind4m

Introduction to Discussing Goals of Care5m

Stanford Letter Project20m

Additional Considerations5m

References and Additional Reading10m

Module Resources10m

4 practice exercises

Care for the Caregiver5m

Knowledge Check6m

Cultural Considerations with Advance Care Planning10m

Module 5 Assessment8m

1 hour to complete

Self-Care

Healthcare providers, in general, make a life of being attentive to and providing resources for people during times of illness and suffering. This type of work, while essential and rewarding, undoubtedly bears its cost in work-related stress, burnout and fatigue. The response to internal and external stress is a key influencer on wellbeing.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 18 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes

2 videos

G.R.A.C.E.4m

Self-Care13m

4 readings

Introduction to G.R.A.C.E.2m

Self-Care10m

Cultural Considerations1m

References and Additional Reading10m

3 practice exercises

Knowledge Check4m

Knowledge Check2m

Module 6 Assessment4m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Final Steps

Congratulations on completing the course content. You have a few more step to complete the course. First review your reflection, next complete a peer-reviewed course project and then take the final exam. We hope you have enjoyed the course and look forward to seeing you in other classes!

2 hours to complete

1 reading

1 reading

Claiming CME Credit2m

2 practice exercises

Reflection Revisited10m

Final Exam30m

About the Palliative Care Always Specialization

Palliative Care Always is a specialization for health care practitioners, patients and caregivers. We’ve designed this specialization to demonstrate how palliative medicine integrates with patient care, and to help you develop primary palliative care skills. Over the next five courses, you will develop skills in symptom management, goals of care and effective communication to improve the quality of life for patients and families suffering with serious illness. Our hope is that you feel increasingly equipped to support the diverse needs of your patients and your own needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
Is this activity accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME)?
Dates and Duration
Original Release Date: 09/30/2020
Expiration Date: 09/30/2023
Estimated Time to Complete: 11 hours 30 minutes
CME Credits Offered: 11.50
Accreditation
The Stanford University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Stanford University School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 11.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosures
The Stanford University School of Medicine adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. There are no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined commercial interests for anyone who was in control of the content of this activity.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Essentials of Palliative Care