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Ellen Sheridan PEPA manager Cancer and Palliative Care Unit, DHS. Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA). Defining Palliative Care.
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Ellen Sheridan PEPA manager Cancer and Palliative Care Unit, DHS Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA)
Defining Palliative Care “… an approach that improves quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual…” (World Health Organization 2002)
Defining the Palliative Approach A palliative approach is an approach linked to palliative care that is used by primary care providers to improve quality of life for people living with a life-threatening illness View that death, dying and bereavement are a part of life (Palliative Care Australia 2005)
Traditional view of palliative care Diagnosis of life threatening illness Goal is cure Personal failure if no cure Palliative and curative care cannot be delivered together Disease is acute & short Patients/families do not want to talk about end of life issues Individual clinician responsible for providing all aspects of care End of life care Life prolonging therapy
Timely palliative care Diagnosis of life threatening illness Goal is management and quality of life Offered in conjunction with active curative care Care responds to illness trajectory not seen as failure Disease is chronic & needs ongoing management Patients & families engaged in advanced care planning Patient care needs met by multidisciplinary team Life prolonging therapy Palliative care
PEPA • Aim: to improve the quality, availability and access to palliative care for people who have a life-threatening illness, and their families • By: enhancing the capacity of health professionals to deliver a palliative approach through their participation in facilitated supervised clinical placements
Supervised clinical placements • General Practitioners • Nurses • Aboriginal health workers • Allied health professionals
Supervised clinical placements What’s involved? • Complete an application form (supply copy of registration to practice & medical insurance/indemnity) • Negotiate where & when • Complete placement • Undertake quality activity
Supervised clinical placements After a placement you will be able to: • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of palliative care • Identify the needs of patients with a life-limiting illness and their family • Identify the role of your discipline in managing problems faced by this group of patients • Recognise your own knowledge base and scope of practice with regard to optimal palliative care provision • Identity personal coping strategies to effectively manage the personal issues related to working in this field
Where to from here? • Access the website (www.health.vic.gov.au/palliativecare/PEPA) • Submit an application • Make contact if you have questions (Ellen Sheridan, ph: 9096 5296)