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Exam preparation and self study Course

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.

Exclusive discounted rates for CSPM Members.

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Program Objectives

Upon finishing this course, participants should be able to:

  • identify and assess gaps in advanced palliative medicine knowledge.
  • address gaps by creating a focused plan that increases advanced level knowledge in palliative medicine.
  • access resources for further or continuous learning.
  • enhance their confidence prior to sitting the RC exam or in their practice of palliative medicine.

Please note that course registration fees are non-refundable.

Topics and Pricing
Wound Management/La gestion des plaies

$25.00/$40.00

MAINPRO+ Credits: 4

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Introduction, Natural History and Epidemiology, Evaluation and assessment tools, and Management and Prevention

By the end of this course, learners will be able to identify different skin conditions and develop plans to manage them.
Chronic Liver Disease (CLD)/Les maladies chroniques du foie
$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 4
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Epidemiology, Natural History, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special Interventions, and Other Considerations

By the end of this course, learners will be able to identify, explain, and manage symptoms associated with CLD.
Cancer Therapies/Les traitements anticancéreux 
$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 3
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), Cryoablation, Embolization, Radiation Therapy, Surgery in Cancer Care, and Systemic Therapy

By the end of this course, learners will be able to define different cancer therapies, and recall associated treatments (including radiation effects).
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders/
​Bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive
$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits:1
MOC Sec 3 credits: 2
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Epidemiology, Natural history, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special interventions, Considerations (e.g., end-of-life issues)

By the end of this course, learners will be able to recognize, assess, and manage COPD symptoms.
Heart Failure/Insuffisance cardiaque
$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits:1
MOC Sec 3 Credits: 2
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Epidemiology, Natural History, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special Interventions, & Considerations

By the end of this course, learners will be able to describe, identify, and implement plans to manage heart failure.
Pediatric Palliative Care/Les soins palliatifs pédiatriques
$125.00/$175.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 10
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Principles, Stages of Development, Resources and Location of Care, Pain, Fluids/diet, Advanced Care Planning, End-of-Life Care and Symptoms (GI, neurological, respiratory)

By the end of this course, learners will be able to differentiate, describe, and implement pediatric palliative care plans.
Complex symptom management/Prise en charge des symptômes complexes
$125.00/$175.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 13
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Nausea/vomiting, Sleep Disturbances/Insomnia, Anorexia/Cachexia, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Bleeding, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Respiratory secretions and cough, Pruritus, Oral Symptoms, Constipation, Delirium

By the end of this course, learners will be able to differentiate and manage complex palliative care symptoms.
Complex pain management/Traitement de la douleur complexe
$125.00/$175.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 10
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Epidemiology, Natural History, Pathophysiology, Complications, & Special Interventions

By the end of this course, learners will be able to assess and manage pain symptoms in palliative care.
Prognostication/Pronostic
$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 5
MOC Sec 3 credits: 6
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Introduction, Prognostic tools, Prognosis in cancer and non-cancer

By the end of this course, learners will be able to design, plan, and communicate pertinent information related to care.
Neurodegenerative disorders/Maladies neurodégénératives
$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 8
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease

By the end of this course, learners will be able to differentiate between neurodegenerative conditions and recall interventions for management.
Health System Delivery and Leadership/Systèmes de santé et Leadership
$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 1
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Advocacy, Leadership and Quality Improvement

By the end of this course, learners will be able to describe palliative care delivery in Canada. 
Chronic Kidney Disease/Maladie rénale chronique
$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 6
MOC Sec 3 credits: 7
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Epidemiology, Natural History, Prognostication, Pathophysiology, Complications, Special interventions for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and Considerations

By the end of this course, learners will be able to identify, explain, and manage symptoms associated with CKD.
Palliative Care Emergencies/Situations d’urgence en soins palliatifs
$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 6
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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

By the end of this course, learners will be able to investigate, diagnose, and develop plans to manage palliative care emergencies.
Bioethics/Bioéthique
$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 4
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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

By the end of this course, learners will be able to identify, asses, and respond to bioethical challenges with confidence.
Suffering and Grief/La souffrance et le deuil
$25.00/$40.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 1
MOC Sec 3 credits: 2
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Suffering: Introduction and epidemiology, Clinical signs of suffering, Assessment of suffering, Addressing suffering, and Complications. 

By the end of this course, learners will be able to recognize, describe, and suggest interventions for suffering and grief.
Determinants of Health/Les déterminants de la santé
$75.00/$110.00
MAINPRO+ Credits: 9
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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


By the end of this course, learners will be able to describe core concepts of determinants of health and advocate for issues related to palliative care.

College of Family Physicians of Canada
This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Quebec College of Family Physicians, a continuing professional development accrediting organization recognized by the Collège des médecins du Québec and has been approved for up to 90.75 Mainpro+ Certified Activity credits and for up to 53.0 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment Activity credits.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
The Division of Continuing Professional Development, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Committee (CACME) to provide CPD credits for physicians. This activity is an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by UBC CPD. You may claim a maximum of 19.0 hours (credits are automatically calculated). Each physician should claim only those credits accrued through participation in the activity.

This activity is an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Society of Palliative Medicine. You may claim a maximum of 34.0 hours (credits are automatically calculated).
Self-Study Course FAQs

Each module includes:

  • Cases
  • Questions and answers, using the short answer format described by the Royal College.
  • Multiple-choice self-assessment questions (in progress)
  • Information pertaining to the Royal College objectives of training for that topic
  • Take home messages
  • References
The Palliative (Subspecialty) Exam Prep Course Working Group (PEP-C WG) was formed in March 2018 to develop the study modules. The working group consisted 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)). The CSPM CPD Committee now serves as the Scientific Planning Committee for these modules.
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.
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.