World Health Organization 20, Avenue Appia

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A WHO guide for planners, implementers and managers
Sample B: Basic curriculum for training nurses
Day 1
1.1 What is palliative care? Definition and principles
Lecture/discussion
1.2 Palliative care situation in the country
Lecture/discussion
1.3 The palliative care team 
Lecture/discussion
1.4 Roles of nurses in palliative care
Lecture/discussion
1.5 Nursing ethics in palliative care
Lecture/discussion
1.6 Palliative care assessment and approach to the patient
Lecture/discussion/role play
Day 2
2.1 Principles of pain management
Lecture/discussion
2.2 Side-effects of pain medicines
Lecture/discussion
2.3 Instructing patients and family-caregivers on correct use of morphine
Lecture/discussion
2.4 Subcutaneous injection and infusion procedures
Lecture/demonstration
2.5 Pain control cases
Small group discussion
Day 3
3.1 Dyspnea: assessment and management
Lecture/discussion
3.2 Dyspnea case
Small group discussion
3.3 Wounds, oedema, and skin problems: assessment and management
Lecture/discussion/demonstration
3.4 Nausea/vomiting: assessment and management
Lecture/discussion
3.5 Constipation/diarrhoea: assessment and management
Lecture/discussion

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Integrating palliative care and symptom relief into primary health care
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3.6 Other symptoms: loss of appetite, cachexia, fever
Lecture/discussion
3.6 GI symptom cases
Small group discussion
Day 4
4.1 Psychological/psychiatric problems: assessment and management
Lecture/discussion
4.2 Agitated patient case
Large group discussion
4.3 Patient–nurse relationship, communication, and breaking bad news
Lecture/discussion
4.4 Discussing diagnosis and prognosis with patient or family 
Small group role play
4.5 Loss, grief, bereavement
Lecture/discussion
4.6 Emotional support for dying patients and their families
Lecture/discussion/role play
4.7 Health care worker self-care 
Lecture/discussion/group activity
Day 5
5.1 Barriers to pain relief in the country
Lecture/discussion
5.2 Implementing palliative care nursing in participants’ home institutions
Lecture/group work/discussion
Final examination
Sources: University of Medicine & Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Global Program of Harvard Medical School Center for 
Palliative Care at Massachusetts General Hospital, 2017.

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