EMSV2070 — Palliative Care for Paramedics
This course prepares community paramedics to deliver compassionate, patient-centered palliative care in home and community settings. Designed for prehospital clinicians working with patients who have serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses, the course emphasizes practical skills that align with the community paramedicine role—supporting comfort, dignity, and quality of life while reducing unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Participants will explore the principles of palliative care, including symptom assessment and management (pain, dyspnea, nausea, anxiety), goals-of-care conversations, and psychosocial and spiritual support. The course also addresses advance care planning, POLST/DNR interpretation, ethical and legal considerations, and effective communication with patients, families, hospice teams, and primary care providers.
Prerequisites: ENGL0921