Specialization Course - Palliative Care in Primary Health Care

General Objectives of the Course

As palliative care expands to reach more people, it is crucial that specialised and generalist care complement each other to improve the treatment of patients with serious chronic illnesses in ageing populations. Primary care is an ideal environment for palliative care, making the role of General Practitioners (GPs) increasingly important. GPs provide continuous care to patients with chronic illnesses through regular consultations, demonstrating the benefits of this approach. Their skills highlight the importance of integrating them into the palliative care network. However, as noted by the WHO and the European Association for Palliative Care, the insufficient training of GPs in palliative care is an urgent issue. This course aims to provide GPs with the necessary training and skills to deliver generalist palliative care, enabling them to identify patients with palliative needs, apply palliative interventions, improve communication, and address end-of-life and bereavement issues with patients and families. Additionally, students will learn about a new consultation model tested by Portuguese GPs.

Admission Requirements

General Practitioners (specialist or trainees).

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Mode of Study

Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

The final classification is expressed on a qualitative scale of Approved or Failed. The student to obtain approval for the course, attendance of at least 8 blocks (out of a total of 10 blocks) is required.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Principles of palliative care and the context in Portugal; Communication; Pain
Other symptoms besides pain; Final days and hours of life; Grief; Consultation model applied in primary care in Portugal.

Course Coordinator(s)

Carlos Alexandre de Seiça Cardoso Duarte
uc47302@uc.pt

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Rules of creation and operation of non-degree courses at the University of Coimbra

Study Programme

Cuidados Paliativos em Cuidados de Saúde Primários

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
Non Degree Course

Qualification Awarded: Diploma/Certificate

Duration: 135 HORAS

ECTS Credits: 5.0

Applications

Call for Applications

Postgraduate Course /Course not awarding degree