Hospice and Palliative Care is a 5-hour course that introduces students to end-of-life care concepts and discusses the process of dying. Students will learn to differentiate between palliative and hospice care and identify members of the patient’s healthcare team. Students will discuss the bereavement, mourning, and grieving processes and identify cultural and religious differences in managing end-of-life issues. Students will also learn interaction techniques to use with patients, family members, and children. In addition, students will be introduced to care plans and potential complications and learn to differentiate between types of advance directives.

After completing this course, students will:

• Be able to identify the differences and similarities between palliative and hospice care.
• Understand the bereavement, mourning, and grieving processes.
• Understand the techniques and strategies for interacting with patients, family members, and children.
• Recognize the importance of collaboration with other members of the healthcare team in providing end-of-life care.
• Be able to differentiate between advance directives, do not resuscitate orders, living wills, and healthcare powers of attorney.

Hospice and Palliative Care may be taught as a stand-alone course, or as a component of NAEMT’s Community Paramedicine curriculum. This course may be offered to all paramedics and other out-of-hospital healthcare providers.