Palliative care is a specialised field dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious illnesses, focusing on relief from symptoms, pain, and emotional distress. The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Palliative Care equips participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to provide compassionate, holistic support to patients and their families during challenging times.
Participants will explore the physiological and psychological aspects of terminal illnesses and learn effective methods for managing pain and other distressing symptoms. The training emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork, ensuring participants appreciate the collaborative nature of palliative care involving doctors, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
Practical applications are integral to the course, with case studies and scenario-based learning helping participants translate theory into real-world care strategies. This hands-on approach enhances confidence and competence, enabling participants to respond effectively to diverse palliative care needs in various settings including hospitals, hospices, and community care environments.
Completing the OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Palliative Care provides participants with a recognised qualification that not only advances their professional development but also contributes significantly to improving patient outcomes. The diploma supports participants in delivering compassionate care that promotes comfort, respect, and quality of life for those facing life-limiting conditions.
OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Palliative Care
Study Units
Learning Outcomes
Introduction to Palliative Care and Its Principles (3 hours)
- Understand the fundamental principles and goals of palliative care
- Recognise the difference between palliative, curative, and hospice care
- Appreciate the importance of holistic, patient-centred approaches
- Identify the key roles and responsibilities in palliative care delivery
Understanding Life-Limiting Illnesses and Disease Progression (3 hours)
- Gain knowledge of common life-limiting illnesses and their trajectories
- Understand the stages and progression of terminal diseases
- Recognise the physical, emotional, and social impacts of these illnesses
- Identify appropriate timing for initiating palliative care interventions
Pain and Symptom Management in Palliative Care (5 hours)
- Learn methods for assessing and managing pain effectively
- Understand approaches to control other distressing symptoms such as nausea, breathlessness, and fatigue
- Apply pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions safely
- Develop skills to tailor symptom management to individual patient needs
Communication Skills in Palliative Care (4 hours)
- Acquire techniques for compassionate and effective communication with patients and families
- Develop skills to discuss prognosis and end-of-life issues sensitively
- Manage difficult conversations and emotional responses
- Promote informed decision-making through clear, honest dialogue
Psychosocial and Spiritual Support (6 hours)
- Understand the psychological and spiritual challenges faced by patients and families
- Learn strategies to provide emotional and spiritual care
- Recognise signs of distress and appropriate referral pathways
- Support patients in finding meaning, comfort, and hope
Ethical and Legal Considerations in End-of-Life Care (3 hours)
- Understand key ethical principles guiding palliative care practice
- Recognise legal rights and responsibilities related to consent, confidentiality, and advance directives
- Navigate ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in end-of-life care
- Apply ethical decision-making frameworks in complex situations
Multidisciplinary Teamwork and Collaborative Care (3 hours)
- Appreciate the roles of various professionals within the palliative care team
- Understand the importance of effective teamwork and communication
- Develop skills to collaborate and coordinate care plans
- Promote a patient-centred, integrated approach to care delivery
Caregiver Support and Family Involvement (3 hours)
- Recognise the needs and challenges faced by caregivers and families
- Learn techniques to support and involve families in care processes
- Develop strategies to reduce caregiver burden and enhance coping
- Facilitate communication and education for family members
- Acquire comprehensive knowledge of palliative care principles and practices
- Develop skills to manage pain and complex symptoms effectively
- Enhance communication abilities for sensitive discussions with patients and families
- Gain confidence in providing psychosocial and spiritual support
- Understand ethical and legal aspects critical to end-of-life care
- Learn to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
- Improve capacity to support caregivers and involve families in care
- Receive a recognised professional qualification to advance career prospects
- Equip yourself to deliver compassionate, patient-centred care in diverse settings
- Contribute meaningfully to improving the quality of life for patients with life-limiting conditions
The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Palliative Care is designed for:
- Participants working in healthcare settings such as hospitals, hospices, and community care
- Carers and support workers involved in end-of-life care
- Nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals seeking specialised palliative care training
- Social workers and counsellors supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses
- Individuals aspiring to develop skills in compassionate care for terminally ill patients
- Volunteers and professionals involved in hospice and home-based care
- Anyone committed to enhancing their understanding and practice of holistic palliative care
This course suits both those new to palliative care and experienced practitioners aiming to deepen their expertise.
