NYS Controlled Substances, Part 3: Palliative Medicine and End-of-Life Care

Course overview

Caring for a patient approaching the end of life continues to challenge the most skilled, educated, and talented practitioners. Much of the related literature indicates that although most people, given the choice, would prefer to die at home, many will die in institutions. All clinicians should be knowledgeable regarding the proper assessment and management of patients receiving palliative or hospice care. Effective pain control and other symptom management is vital to preventing pain and suffering for patients at the end of life. Understanding that end-of-life care should be individualized for the patient and his or her family "unit" is also very important to ensuring effective and compassionate care. This module will provide an overview for clinicians who provide comfort and support to dying patients and their families, regardless of the setting in which care is provided.