Physician Education Resources

Professional and Provider Organizations

  • American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) - an oragnization of physicians and other medical professionals dedicated to excellence in and advancement of palliative medicine through prevention and relief of suffering by providing education and clinical practive standards, fostering research, facilitating personal and professional development, and by public policy advocacy.
  • Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) - established in 1986, HPNA is the nation's largest and oldest professional nursing organization dedicated to promoting excellence in pain management and end-of-life care.
  • Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) - a national network of psychosocial care professionals actively dedicated to providing the best and latest information, professional resources, policy updates, and new and emerging education and research best practices in palliative and hospice care.
  • Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) - a resouce to hospitals and other health care settings interested in developing palliative care programs. CAPC is dedicated to increasing the availability of quality palliative care services in hospitals and other health care settings for people with life-threatening illnsesses, their families, and caregivers. Stanford Medicine is a member organization, granting all employees access to CAPC's tools and resources. 
  • National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) - NHPCO is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.
  • European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) - a non-governmental organization recognized by the Council of Europe, with goals to improve awareness, knowledge, and expertise in end-of-life care, and to unify national palliative care organizations and establish an international network for the exchange of information and expertise.

Resources for Communication Skills Training

Serious Illness Conversation Program

The Serious Illness Care Program's goal is to facilitate conversations with patients and families about their values, goals, and preferences regarding future medical care to help ensure that patients receive goal-concordant care.  Sharing serious news using evidence-based methods improves the experience for clinicians, patients and their families.  It is a Quality Improvement program to enhance advance care planning at Stanford Medicine, in partnership with Ariadne Labs.

Stanford ACES

The Stanford Health Care Communication Program invites you to attend Advancing Communication Excellence at Stanfrod (ACES): a free of charge, one-day workshop facilitated by ACH-certified Stanford Faculty. ACES uses an evidence-based curriculum designed to help advance communication with patients, families, and colleagues. Workshops will take place at or near the Stanford University campus; additional details (including location) will be emailed prior to the workshop.

VITAL talk

VITAL talk is a communication skills curriculum developed by a team of palliative care experts. Their in-person courses help clinicians build their skills and confidence in navigating tough conversations with patient and families living with serious illness.

Palliative Care Always

Palliative Care Always is a specialization for health care practitioners, patients and caregivers. The course is designed to demonstrate how palliative medicine integrates with patient care, and to help providers develop primary palliative care skills. Over the four courses, students will develop skills in symptom management, goals of care and effective communication to improve the quality of life for patients and families suffering with serious illness. 

Resources for Symptom Management

Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC)

The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) offer a myriad of online courses that provides excellent training on both symptom management and communication skills. These modules can be completed at your own pace. Check with your institution about membership.

California State University (CSU) Shiley Institute for Palliative Care

The California State University Shiley Institute for Palliative Care’s professional development programs are designed to ensure health care professionals have the skills to provide great patient care. Incorporating the latest in evidence-based palliative care practices, these online courses are practical and highly interactive. All programs provide Continuing Education Hours and some offer BRN, BBS, and CME hours.

Fast Facts from Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin

Fast Facts is an online textbook for palliative care topics. From manaing pain and dyspnea to cough and pruritis, this resource is a "go-to" for quick tips on palliative care topics. It is essentially an "Up to Date" for palliative care. App available in App Store and Google Play.