This module will give you a brief introduction to children's palliative care. It will address issues around what palliative care is, which children need palliative care, the differences between adults and children's palliative care, and the global situation of children's palliative care.
This course looks at pain assessment and management in children and links into the publication of the new WHO guidelines for persisting pain in children. Following a brief introduction to the course, there are discrete modules which can be taken in any order, although it is advised to take them in the order in which they are presented.
This course looks at communicating with children and dealing with emotional issues in children. Following a brief introduction to the programme, there are discrete modules which can be taken in any order, although it is advised to take them in the order in which they are presented.
One of the most unique features of palliative care for children is that, unlike most adults, children have not yet reached physical, social, emotional, cognitive or spiritual maturity. As they mature, their understanding of concepts and situations, their skills and abilities are in a state of continual flux and modification. Add to this anomaly the inalienable right of every child to continue to receive an education, where possible, and to be given regular opportunities to socialise and play, it becomes immediately apparent that an understanding of child development and the importance of play is essential to the provision of quality palliative care for a child.
Grief and bereavement in children’s palliative care is very complicated. Both the caregivers and the child themselves experience grief and loss and all have to be managed effectively. Mismanagement of this stage in a child and/or families lives can lead to long-term psychological problems.
Children’s Palliative Care is an approach to improving the quality of life for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. It is inevitable when working with this group of children, one will have to face and manage the dying phase of the child’s illness. It is imperative to cultivate an approach to end of life care that facilitates good palliative care for the child and all those that are involved in the child’s care. This is an emotionally difficult and taxing time for everyone that deserves particular planning and communication. This course aims to prepare caregivers for this time.
This module is designed to enhance knowledge of, and confidence in, perinatal palliative care for health professionals and support workers who are involved in the delivery of care to infants and their families.
This course looks at pain assessment and management in children and links into the publication of the new WHO guidelines for persisting pain in children. Following a brief introduction to the course, there are discrete modules which can be taken in any order, although it is advised to take them in the order in which they are presented. 
This course looks at ways health care workers may adopt a children's palliative care in the management of COVID -19. The course includes the core principles of CPC, assessment and management of distressing symptoms, communicating with children while taking into account their psychological, mental and spiritual wellbeing as well as the need for child friendly infection control measures.
This course introduces the topic of children’s palliative care (CPC) in humanitarian settings. The course outlines core palliative care principles such as communication and multidisciplinary team work addressing the holistic needs of children throughout the disease trajectory and includes end of life care.
Photo Credit : Flickr/United to end genocide
This course was jointly developed by the ICPCN and PallCHASE
