Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine: Online Courses from the CSPCP
Exam preparation and self study modules
We have developed online study modules to help physicians and residents prepare for the Royal College examination for the Subspecialty in Palliative Medicine. The modules can also be used for self-study.
CSPCP Members save big on courses – join now!
Topics and Pricing
Please note that courses are non-refundable.
| cspcp Members* $cdn | non-members $cdn | mainpro+ credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set of 13 modules – Discounted rate | 800 | 1150 | |||
| MODULE | CONTENT | ||||
 | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders/ Bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive | Epidemiology, Natural history, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special interventions, Considerations (e.g., end-of-life issues) | 25 | 40 | 1 |
 | Heart Failure/ Insuffisance cardiaque | Epidemiology, Natural History, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special Interventions, & Considerations | 25 | 40 | 1 |
 | Pediatric Palliative Care/ Les soins palliatifs pédiatriques | Principles, Stages of Development, Resources and Location of Care, Pain, Fluids/diet, Advanced Care Planning, End-of-Life Care and Symptoms (GI, neurological, respiratory) | 125 | 175 | 10 |
 | Complex symptom management/ Prise en charge des symptômes complexes | Nausea/vomiting, Sleep Disturbances/Insomnia, Anorexia/Cachexia, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Bleeding, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Respiratory secretions and cough, Pruritus, Oral Symptoms, Constipation, Delirium | 125 | 175 | 13 |
 | Complex pain management/ Traitement de la douleur complexe | Epidemiology, Natural History, Pathophysiology, Complications, & Special Interventions | 125 | 175 | 10 |
 | Prognostication/ Pronostic | Introduction, Prognostic tools, Prognosis in cancer and non-cancer | 75 | 110 | 5 |
 | Neurodegenerative disorders/Maladies neurodégénératives | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease | 75 | 110 | 8 |
 | Health System Delivery and Leadership/ Systèmes de santé et Leadership | Advocacy, Leadership and Quality Improvement | 25 | 40 | 1 |
 | Chronic Kidney Disease | Epidemiology, Natural History, Prognostication, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special interventions for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and Considerations | 75 | 110 | 6 |
 | Palliative Care Emergencies | Management of Severe Dyspnea, Malignant Bowel Obstruction, Increased Intracranial Pressure, Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction, Seizures in Palliative Care, Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction, Malignant Spinal Cord Compression, Malignant Hypercalcemia, Superior Vena Cava Syndrome, Malignant Urinary Tract Obstruction | 75 | 110 | 6 |
 | Bioethics | Introduction, Ethical framework, pediatric palliative care ethics, consent and capacity, withdrawal and withholding of life-sustaining treatment, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and Euthanasia, palliative sedation, confidentiality, and medical ethics | 25 | 40 | 4 |
 | Suffering and Grief | Suffering: Introduction and epidemiology, Clinical signs of suffering, Assessment of suffering, Addressing suffering, and Complications Grief: Introduction and definitions, Epidemiology, Symptoms and Stages of grief, Prolonged grief disorder and risk factors, Differentiating between grief and depression, and Supportive interventions | 25 | 40 | 1 |
 | Determinants of Health | Core Concepts Indigenous Peoples of Canada: General information and geography, Health, Culture and identity, and Indigenous People and Palliative Care Culture: Background/intro, cultural sensitivity, barriers, and interventions Mental Health/Addictions Medicine: Addiction and Palliative Care, Mental Health – depression and anxiety, and Mental Health – adjustment disorder Homelessness: Introduction, Comorbidities, Fears/concerns, Care needs/preferences, Barriers to care, Facilitators and Supportive Measures, and Trauma-informed care | 75 | 110 | 9 |
Accreditation statement: This 1 credit-per-hour Self-Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 75.0 Mainpro+ credits.
What is the format of the modules?
Each module includes:
● Cases
● Questions and answers, using the short answer format described by the Royal College.
● Information pertaining to the Royal College objectives of training for that topic
● Take home messages
● References
Who developed the modules?
The Palliative (Subspecialty) Exam Prep Course Working Group (PEP-C WG) was formed in March 2018 to develop the study modules. The working group consists of volunteer CSPCP members representing a mixture of specialty backgrounds (including College of Family Physicians of Canada and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)). With the help of over 30 volunteer writers, reviewers, and navigation testers, the first set of modules were created based on highest priority rated topics: Complex Symptom Management, Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders, and Pediatric Palliative Care. Most recently, the Complex Pain Management module was released.
Will there be new modules?
Yes. CSPCP plans to release 11 more bilingual modules over the next few years through the Building Palliative Care Expertise through Support for Medical Subspecialty Exam Preparation Project.
What is the Building Palliative Care Expertise through Support for Medical Subspecialty Exam Preparation Project?
This grant-funded project entails updating and translating the existing modules (see list above) and creating 11 additional accredited bilingual modules. All modules use the RCPSC Objectives of Training for subspecialty in palliative medicine to guide topics and content to ensure they encompass the breadth of competencies required for certification as a subspecialist in palliative medicine.
Working Group Members
Dr. Ebru Kaya (Chair)
Dr. Craig Goldie
Dr. Jacqueline Hui
Dr. Ramona Joshi
Dr. Lawrence Lee
Dr. Nicola Macpherson
Dr. Daniel Vincent
Dr. Andrea Weiss
Dr. Kimberly Pinnick Broderick (Project Manager)
Disclaimers
The writers and reviewers have no involvement with either the Palliative Medicine Subspecialty Exam Committee or those writing the actual examination questions for the 2019 examination. Completion of the study modules does not guarantee that you will “pass” these sections of the exam. The intent is to help you prepare. The modules were written to align with the Royal College objectives of training for each topic and the writers have provided practice questions that reflect their understanding of the style of questions. REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT or in tort (including negligence), in no event will the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians or any of the licensors and suppliers be responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential losses, damages or injuries of any nature or kind whatsoever to persons or property directly or indirectly arising from or attributable to any use of the site or any product, information, idea, instruction or other content contained on the site or accessed through the site. Reliance on any content contained on or accessed through the site is solely at your own risk.
Funding acknowledgment
The Building Palliative Care Expertise through Support for Medical Subspecialty Exam Preparation Project, a 3-year project, has been generously funded by Health Canada under its Health Care Policy and Strategies Program.