Talking about palliative care earlier: practical learning for cancer nurses
Led by Palliative Care Australia in partnership with the Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine, the course reinforces an important message for cancer care: palliative care can be introduced alongside active treatment, rather than being reserved for the final stages of life.
Cancer nurses are often closely involved in the conversations that happen as a person’s needs, treatment options and goals of care change. They may be answering questions from patients and families, identifying increasing supportive care needs, coordinating referrals or helping people understand what palliative care can offer.
This practical course focuses on communication approaches that can be incorporated into everyday cancer care. It explores common myths and misconceptions about palliative care, how to recognise when referral may be appropriate, and ways to introduce palliative care while maintaining and reframing hope.
It also encourages clinicians to reflect on their own attitudes and potential barriers to these conversations, while considering culturally responsive approaches to communication and referral.
Learning objectives
The course supports learners to:
- understand the role and benefits of timely palliative care;
- address common myths and misconceptions about palliative care;
- recognise when palliative care referral may be appropriate;
- build confidence in discussing palliative care and referral;
- maintain and reframe hope during difficult conversations;
- use culturally responsive communication approaches;
- reflect on personal attitudes and barriers to palliative care discussions; and
- identify practical ways to support more timely referrals in clinical practice.
