Introduction to Palliative Care

This 90-minute self-paced two-part course provides an overview of Palliative Care as well as communication strategies to facilitate discussions around end of life issues and Palliative Care services. It presents the benefits that Palliative Care can add to the quality of life for a person diagnosed with serious illness. The course clarifies the often-misunderstood difference between Hospice care and Palliative Care. It discusses common barriers staff face in having a discussion with someone regarding the end of life and presents some tips and person-centered communication strategies for staff to initiate this critical conversation with someone who is seriously ill. The course describes the new UPMC Palliative Care benefit and closes with information on resources available to UPMC staff on end-of-life issues.
 
SPECIAL NOTE:
There is no educational content to this course. This course is designed to supplement training that has already occurred. This course is designed to only administer the post-test and collect CME evaluations.

Target Audience

This self-paced course is designed for all Health Plan clinical staff serving all lines of business, as an introduction to the major components of Palliative Care. 

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the benefits and major components of Palliative Care.
  • Describe the difference between the philosophy and principles of Hospice and Palliative Care
  • Identify tools for goals of care conversations
  • Describe the UPMC Palliative Care benefit and other resources to support those with serious illness
  • Identify common barriers to communication when approaching end of life discussions
  • Explore effective strategies to initiate a conversation focused on Palliative Care and end of life issues
  • Incorporate principles of motivational interviewing to “find the right words” for a discussion on Palliative Care
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.50 Attendance
Course opens: 
01/05/2022
Course expires: 
01/05/2025
UPMC HR Direct for the UPMC Health Plan
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
United States
Course Directors:
 
Laura Fennimore, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Consultant, Clinical Training & Education
UPMC Health Plan
 
June Lamb, MSN, RN, CDCES
Director, Clinical Training and QA
UPMC Health Plan
 
Amanda Gabarda, EdD, MPH, NBC-HWC     
Sr. Director of Clinical Training and Education
UPMC Health Plan
 
Planning Committee:
 
Erin Kime, MBA
Sr. Director of Clinical Affairs and Clinical Business Development
UPMC Health Plan
 
Kimberly Humes, MSN, BSN, RN, CCM
Professional Care Manager, Supervisor ISD, Medicare Clinical CM
UPMC Health Plan
 
Michelle Schreiber, MSN, RN, CCM
Clinical Education Coordinator, Clinical Training & Education
UPMC Health Plan
 
Michele Gordon, PhD, LSW
Clinical Engagement Coordinator, Clinical Training & Education
UPMC Health Plan
 
Therese DeFazio, MPH
Clinical Engagement Coordinator, Clinical Training & Education
UPMC Health Plan
 
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.
 
Disclaimer Statement
The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
 
Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.5 contact hours.
 
Other Healthcare Professionals
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.50 Attendance
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