1. Department(s)/ Institute.
Department of Multidisciplinary Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences.
2. Duration: 26 weeks
3. Credits: 12 credits
4. Number of courses: 04
5. Starting date: 9th dec 2022
6. Program Director: Dr. Nafisa Tahir, Professor of Medicine
Clinical Trial Unit, National University of Medical Sciences.
7. Introduction:
Palliative Medicine is one of the developing medical specialties. It has been recognized by World Health Organization (WHO) and defined as an approach which improves quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness through prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems as physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
In United Kingdom, General Medical Council has held doctors guilty of serious professional misconduct because they had been unable to provide Palliative Medicine or refer for specialist Palliative Medicine. The concept of Palliative Medicine is not new. In 460 BC, Hippocrates became the father of Medicine by providing simple symptom relief. In the modern world, many developed countries do not consider Cancer services provision appropriate until the services have the back up of Palliative Medicine teams. Many developing countries, including some Muslim countries, also recognize the need for Palliative Medicine.
In Pakistan, the concept of palliative care is like a new-born baby who needs a lot of attention. According to the Global burden of diseases (2010), it is estimated that by 2025 there will be 3.9 million deaths in people aged between 30 to 69 years in Pakistan due to NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus and mental health illnesses.
Palliative medicine is now perceived as an integral part of medical care rather than 'elite medicine'. Like any other sub-specialty, Palliative Medicine training is an essential part of general internal medicine. As the methods to relieve intractable symptoms and patients' distress are increasing day by day, it will be inappropriate to expect all the doctors to be able to provide Specialist Palliative Medicine services. However, it remains a generalist's, either primary care doctor or General Physician/Surgeon, responsibility to start Palliative management.
8. Learning Outcomes
At the completion of certificate program, the participants will be able to:
- Apply independently the Palliative Care approach techniques to all patients with terminal illnesses to the conduct and expectations of the profession (Skills, Professional ethics)
- Identify, formulate, and provide effective solutions to different types of pain (Critical thinking).
- Define code status of the patient as a team (Teamwork).
- Demonstrate the competency independently to develop rapport and trust with patients and families, and peers (Skill, Communication, Team work)
9. Eligibility for award of certificate:
Passing marks: 50% and above in final aggregate.