OVERVIEW

Integrative Therapies in Hospice and Palliative Care Course Bundle is organized by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).

Release Date: December 1, 2023
Expiration Date: November 30, 2026

Description:
This course is a 9-course program for multidisciplinary health professionals on integrative approaches in hospice and palliative care (PC). The overall goal is to prepare learners to participate in multidisciplinary care planning by understanding the role of integrative therapies in co-managing symptoms and providing comfort, psychosocial and spiritual support. This introduction reviews the evolution of the concept of integrative care in the US, explains how integrative therapies share a similar holistic and multidimensional approach with palliative care and examines the concept of “evidence” in making informed decisions about the use of integrative therapies. Additionally, it provides an overview of the integrative approaches covered by the other courses in the program.

Modules:

Introduction
Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Biofield Therapies
Expressive Arts
Massage Therapy and Touch Interventions
Mind-Body and Contemplative Approaches
Movement Approaches
Transforming the Culture of Care

Learning Outcomes:

Identify the differences between the term “alternative”, “complementary” and “integrative” in health care.
Describe how integrative therapies can contribute to a holistic, multidimensional approach to PC.
Explain key factors in the evaluation of scientific evidence on use of integrative therapies in PC.
Identify the major uses of acupuncture in palliative care.
Summarize the evidence of the effects of acupuncture on symptoms commonly seen in palliative care.
Explain to patients or family members when asked how acupuncture works and what outcomes or benefits, they can realistically expect.
Identify the major uses of aromatherapy in palliative care.
Summarize the evidence of the effects of aromatherapy on symptoms commonly seen in palliative care.
Explain to patients or family members when asked, how aromatherapy works and what outcomes or benefits they can realistically expect.
Identify the major types of biofield therapies commonly used in palliative care.
Summarize the evidence of the effects of biofield therapies on symptoms commonly seen in palliative care.
Explain to patients or family members when asked, how biofield therapies work and what outcomes or benefits they can realistically expect.
Identify the major uses of expressive arts in palliative care.
Summarize the evidence of the effects of expressive arts interventions on symptoms commonly seen in palliative care.
Explain to patients or family members when asked, how expressive arts interventions work and what outcomes or benefits they can realistically expect.
Identify the major types of massage therapy and touch interventions commonly used in palliative care.
Summarize the evidence of the effects of massage therapy and touch interventions on symptoms commonly seen in palliative care.
Explain to patients or family members when asked, how massage therapy and touch interventions work and what outcomes or benefits they can realistically expect.
Identify the major uses of mind-body and contemplative approaches in palliative care.
Summarize the evidence of the effects of mind-body and contemplative approaches on symptoms commonly seen in palliative care.
Explain to patients or family members when asked, how mind-body and contemplative approaches work and what outcomes or benefits they can realistically expect.
Identify the major uses of movement approaches in palliative care.
Summarize the evidence of the effects of movement approaches on symptoms commonly seen in palliative care.
Explain to patients or family members when asked, how movement approaches work and what outcomes or benefits they can realistically expect.
Identify organizational challenges to the implementation of integrative therapies programs in PC settings.
Identify organizational facilitators of the implementation of integrative therapies programs in PC settings.
Describe alternative payment and funding models for delivery of integrative therapy services in PC settings.