EPC Foundations

Update your knowledge, be inspired, gain CPD points, and network with other palliative care professionals

Course Summary

Eastern Palliative Care is excited to announce that EPC Foundations has evolved into 8 interactive and engaging face to face sessions, with topics ranging from Clinical Skills in Palliative Care to Foundations of Compassionate Care.

Select the topic that inspires you, or one that you’d like to upskill in, and learn from the leaders in palliative care. Each session covers a comprehensive agenda which will empower you with skills and confidence to deliver high-quality, compassionate, palliative care in the community.

You can register to attend one or multiple sessions, depending on your professional development needs. Each individual session is topic specific and does not require prior attendance at any of the other sessions.

Course Structure

Three and a half hour face to face session with a 30 min break for morning or afternoon tea.

Course Timing

Morning session 09:00 – 12:30 OR afternoon session 13:00 – 16:30

Session Details

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), Ethics, and Documentation: A Practical Workshop for Palliative Care Clinicians  

Wednesday 8 April     09:00 – 12:30

You will:

• Examine the current VAD legislative framework
• Understand the application process including eligibility criteria and procedural steps
• Physically examine the VAD substance self-administration kit
• Engage in a facilitated ethical case study
• Understand the legal requirements of excellent note writing
• Receive practical guidance on writing clear, defensible medical notes

Caring for the Whole Person: Anxiety, Depression, Spirituality and Self-Care in Palliative Practice

Thursday 9 April   09:00 – 12:30

You will:

• Deepen your understanding of anxiety and depression in life limiting illnesses
• Learn communication strategies
• Be able to define and understand spirituality
• Examine the role of spirituality in shaping clients’ experiences of illness, hope and identity
• Reflect on the emotional intensity of palliative care work
• Identify early signs of compassion fatigue
• Explore self-care practices

Foundations of Compassionate Care: Palliative Approach, Death and Dying, and Grief and Bereavement

Tuesday 14 April   13:00 – 16:30

You will:

• Learn about the palliative approach to care
• Understand how to enhance quality of life for clients and carers by looking at their changed priorities
• Deepen your understanding of common illness trajectories
• Learn to identify signs of deterioration
• Discuss care needs at end of life
• Understand grief and grief responses
• Learn factors that influence bereavement outcomes
• Explore issues related to bereavement in children

Clinical Skills in Palliative Care: Managing Dyspnoea and applying the OPQRST-UV Framework

Tuesday 21 April  09:00 – 12:30

You will:

• Explore the physiology of dyspnoea in palliative care
• Learn evidence-based interventions
• Partner with a participant to listen to breath sounds (please bring along a stethoscope)
• Work through the OPQRST-UV framework to assess complex symptoms

Enhancing Palliative Care Skills: Managing delirium, Understanding Fatigue and Cachexia, and Deepening End of Life Conversations

Wednesday 22 April 13:00 – 16:30

You will:

• Explore delirium
• Learn to assess for signs and symptoms of delirium
• Recognise modifiable caused of delirium, and available treatments
• Learn about fatigue and cachexia
• Develop skills for initiating sensitive conversations
• Explore timing and active listening techniques for difficult discussions
• Utilise silence effectively

Managing Pain and Crises in Palliative Care: Principles of Pain Management and Opioid Use, and Palliative Emergencies

Thursday 7 May  13:00 – 16:30

You will:

• Learn the basic anatomy and physiology of pain
• Discuss a variety of analgesics and their side-effects
• Address common concerns around tolerance and dependence
• Review common palliative care emergencies
• Consider appropriate interventions and management

Essential Gastro-Intestinal Care in Palliative Practice: Managing Nausea, Bowels and Oral Care

Tuesday 12 May  09:00 – 12:30

You will:

• Revise the gastro-intestinal system
• Learn how to do a thorough assessment using the IAPP framework
• Identify the causes of nausea and vomiting
• Explore the principles of treating nausea and vomiting, including choice of anti-emetics
• Revise causes of constipation in palliative care
• Identify laxative classes and appropriate use
• Revise oral care
• Learn about the many products on the commercial market

Registration closes 7 days before the course. No registration on the day. Payment is required to confirm booking.

For any queries or for further information, please contact epcfoundationsadmin@epcvic.org.au or fill in the query box below and we will respond. We look forward to supporting you on your journey to becoming a proficient palliative care professional.