Courses

Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine: Online Courses from the CSPM

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.

CSPM Members save big on courses!

Topics and Pricing (Please note that courses are non-refundable.)

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 6

Epidemiology, Natural History, Prognostication, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special interventions for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and Considerations

Determinants of Health

Determinants of Health

$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 9

Core Concepts

Indigenous Peoples of Canada:
General information and geography, Health, Culture and identity, and Indigenous People and Palliative Care

(more…)

Palliative Care Emergencies

Palliative Care Emergencies

$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 6
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

Bioethics

Bioethics

$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 4

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

Suffering and Grief

Suffering and Grief

$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 1

Suffering: Introduction and epidemiology, Clinical signs of suffering, Assessment of suffering, Addressing suffering, and Complications

(more…)

Prognostication/ Pronostic

Prognostication/ Pronostic

$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 5
Introduction, Prognostic tools, Prognosis in cancer and non-cancer

Neurodegenerative disorders/Maladies neurodégénératives

Neurodegenerative disorders/Maladies neurodégénératives

$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 8
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease

Health System Delivery and Leadership/ Systèmes de santé et Leadership

Health System Delivery and Leadership/ Systèmes de santé et Leadership

$25.00/$11040.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 1
Advocacy, Leadership and Quality Improvement

Complex pain management/ Traitement de la douleur complexe

Complex pain management/ Traitement de la douleur complexe

$125.00/$175.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 10
Epidemiology, Natural History, Pathophysiology, Complications, & Special Interventions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders/ Bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders/ Bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive

$25.00/$40.00 MAINPRO+ Credits: 1 Epidemiology, Natural history, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special interventions, Considerations (e.g., end-of-life issues)
Heart Failure/ Insuffisance cardiaque

Heart Failure/ Insuffisance cardiaque

$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 1
Epidemiology, Natural History, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special Interventions, & Considerations

Pediatric Palliative Care/ Les soins palliatifs pédiatriques

Pediatric Palliative Care/ Les soins palliatifs pédiatriques

$125.00/$175.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 10
Principles, Stages of Development, Resources and Location of Care, Pain, Fluids/diet, Advanced Care Planning, End-of-Life Care and Symptoms (GI, neurological, respiratory)

Complex symptom management/ Prise en charge des symptômes complexes

Complex symptom management/ Prise en charge des symptômes complexes

$125.00/$175.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 13
Nausea/vomiting, Sleep Disturbances/Insomnia, Anorexia/Cachexia, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Bleeding, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Respiratory secretions and cough, Pruritus, Oral Symptoms, Constipation, Delirium

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. 

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada members may claim MOC Section 2 Self-learning credits.

FAQs About Courses

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 CSPM members representing a mixture of specialty backgrounds (including College of Family Physicians of Canada and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)).

Will there be new modules?

Yes. CSPM plans to release a total of 16 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.