Current areas of teaching

Principles of palliative care, models of providing palliative care, indications for palliative care, when to start palliative care, bereavement care.

Pain control: concept of total pain, pain physiology, pain assessment tools, classification of pain, complex pain syndromes, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of pain.

Symptom control; pathophysiology of common symptoms in palliative care, symptom assessment, management of symptoms pharmacologically and using radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Management of palliative care emergencies.

Communication skills; management of difficult questions and giving information sensitively including developing skills in breaking bad news.

Psychosocial care: recognition of different responses and emotions expressed by patients and their relatives faced with life-limiting illnesses. Appreciation of the patient in relation to their family, work and social circumstances.

Psychological impact of pain and other symptoms, impact of illness on interpersonal relationships , therapeutic interventions involved in managing psychosocial symptoms

Spiritual care: understanding of spirituality. Spirituality issues In relation to life-limiting illnesses and the role of spiritual care.

Ethical issues and care of the professional carer; awareness of personal values and beliefs systems and how these influence professional judgment and behaviors.

Ethical issues in palliative care recognition and management of the emotional and psychological impact of caring, for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families on oneself and other colleagues.