Education Newsletter

Important Dates

January 1st:

• Beyond the Stethoscope
• Hot Tips

January 2nd

• World Introvert Day

January 4th

• World Braille Day

January 6th

• CAPCE

January 8th

• National Clean Off Your Desk Day

January 11th

• APPS
• Fundamentals

January 15th

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 21st

• National Hugging Day

January 27th

• International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Fatigue or “asthenia” is reported in every chronic illness! It is frequently regarded by patients as more distressing than pain and it is often under-recognized by professionals. Fatigue is a subjective perception or experience related to disease, emotional state and/or treatment. Fatigue is a multidimensional symptom involving physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being and affecting quality of life (bc-cpc.ca)

It is associated with significant impairment across all life domains, including physical and mental functioning and reduced quality of life. Fatigue is different for each person. It may not get better with rest. It can affect your ability to function. Imagine feeling so weary or exhausted that you don’t feel like doing normal activities like eating or shopping. Your body, especially arms and legs feel heavy. You cannot think clearly or concentrate.

Reduced physical function limits participation in preferred activities and activities of daily living. Cognitive involvement limits activities such as reading, driving and social interaction. Fatigue can influence the patient’s decision-making about future treatment and may lead to the refusal of a potentially beneficial treatment. It is important to recognize that towards the end of life, there will be a time when intervention is no longer appropriate and may be distressing. At this stage, fatigue may provide protection and shielding from suffering for the patient.

There are many reasons for fatigue, including the disease progression itself, and treatment of that same disease ie. radiation/chemotherapy. Medications such as opioids, and antihistamines can contribute to fatigue as well as depression, anemia, sleep disturbances, poor nutrition and environmental factors -having lots of visitors for example.

Principles of management include ensuring a person-centred approach by an interdisciplinary team is utilized. Address reversible factors according to the person’s goals for care. Address non-pharmacological interventions and finally address pharmacological interventions.

Screening, assessment and management of Fatigue involves all members of the interdisciplinary team!

Aggressively managing the symptoms of patients with a critical life-limiting illness or terminal disease can improve the quality of life for patients and loved ones, regardless of how much time they have remaining. Palliative symptom management approaches disease in a holistic manner, addressing not only the physical aspect of symptoms but also the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of suffering for total symptom relief. Pain is the most common reason for critical care palliative consultation.

Please join the NSMHPCN Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultants (PPSMC's) and Education Facilitators in a five-part series as they present a comprehensive review of the types of pain, assessment of pain, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management and the concept of total pain in palliative care.

Concept of Total Pain

Thursday, January 25th, 2024

Join our team of Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultants (PPSMCs) as we revisit some of the most commonly used tools in providing a palliative approach to care. We will take an in-depth look at how to utilize the tools through the review of case studies. Visit NSMHPCN.CA/ECHO for more information.

Upcoming Encore Presentation

Topic: ESASr

Date: February 8th, 2024

Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: Zoom

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESASr) is a tool designed to assist in the assessment of ten symptoms common in cancer patients: pain, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, lack of appetite, shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, well-being and constipation.

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale

Thursday, February 8th, 2024

Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care

Building on the Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care Program, The Advanced Palliative Practice Skills (APPS) program is an interactive, educational opportunity for Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Health Care Aides and Hospice Volunteers who are graduates of the Core Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care Program.



Course Components:

• Three, 2-hour virtual in-class Case Based Learning sessions
• Self-directed online learning modules x 4
• Two peer-to-peer exchanges
• Ongoing self reflection with practical application activities

All course components are mandatory, including attendance at all virtual in class learning sessions.

Pre-requisite: 

Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care.

Duration: Approximately 9 weeks

Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education (CAPCE) Program

The CAPCE program is uniquely designed for nurses (RPN, RN, NP) to develop their leadership and expertise skills in hospice palliative care across all healthcare sectors.

Course Components:

• Four, 4-hour virtual in-class Case Based Learning sessions
• Coaching Sessions (6-8) 2-hours each
• Two Practical Application Assignments
• Self directed reading
• Independent Online Modules x 6
• Four Peer-to Peer exchanges

All course components are mandatory, including attendance at all virtual in class learning sessions.

Pre-requisites:

To be eligible to participate in the CAPCE program, the following pre-requisites are required

• Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care Program
• A minimum of 1-year experience caring for people with a progressive, life-limiting illness
• Ability and interest to function as a Resource Nurse, providing primary level support and advanced level knowledge and skills for care team members in his or her organization
• Ability and interest to coach others, facilitate change and be a role model
• Sensitivity to the impact of attitudes, behaviours, life experiences, values, thoughts and feelings on the well-being and quality of life from the perspective of all partners in care

Duration: Approximately 5 months