Working in palliative care can be challenging. It requires specialised knowledge and skills, and ideally the opportunity to work closely with the individual, their family and other key health professions involved in their care. The Allied Health Toolkit can provide information specific to your practice, but you may also want to be familiar with palliative care more generally.
Here are some ways that you can use the various ELDAC Toolkits to upskill yourself on important aspects of palliative care if you are new to this area.
Select the topics you would like further information on, then click View Your Results to display links to navigate you to relevant pages within ELDAC. You can also generate a PDF to keep for your records or share with your colleagues.
Palliative care is a philosophy of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients who have life-limiting illnesses. Health professionals working in palliative care should understand this philosophy and the principles that underpin it.
Health professionals working in palliative care should be working to enhance the quality of life and support the management of acute and chronic symptoms of the underlying disease and comorbidities.
Communication is crucial in palliative care, and health professionals should have strong communication skills. This includes being able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.
Pain and symptom management are key components of palliative care, and health professionals should be knowledgeable about the medications and interventions used to manage pain and other symptoms.
Advance care planning involves helping patients and families make decisions about their healthcare in advance of a medical crisis. Health professionals should be knowledgeable about advance care planning and should be able to facilitate these discussions with patients and families.
Palliative care often involves caring for patients at the end of life, and health professionals should be knowledgeable about grief and bereavement. This includes understanding the stages of grief, providing support to patients and families, and knowing when to refer patients and families to bereavement services.
Working in palliative care can be emotionally demanding, and health professionals should be aware of the importance of self-care. This includes taking breaks, seeking support from colleagues, and engaging in activities outside of work.
Understanding the philosophy of palliative care
Know your Scope of Practice
Effective communication skills
Pain and symptom management
Advance care planning
Understanding grief and bereavement
Self-Care
The ELDAC Toolkit Education videos can assist you improve your skills in end of life care by learning from palliative care experts and clinicians.
The ELDAC Allied Health Toolkit Practising in Aged Care section includes overviews of funding models, referral pathways and supporting older adults in home and residential aged care settings.