Palliative Care Capstone Projects from Coursera

In the Capstone Course you have the opportunity to put what you have been learning about in the Palliative Care Specialization into practice. Our team has created five activities that directly relate to what you have been learning in the course. You will need to talk with someone you know, perhaps a friend or family member, about their experiences living with serious and life limiting illness. You may want to engage several people as you go through the 5 assignments as they each will have unique experiences.

The Five Assignments:

1) Use the Nature of Suffering Evaluation Form to guide your conversation with someone living with serious illness and report and reflect on how this illness is impacting different aspects of their lives.

2) Using SNAP/Self-Awareness skills explore the values of someone close to you and your own values as relate to health, illness and dying.

3) Using the WILDA tool complete a pain assessment with someone living with serious illness.

4) Using the ESAS tool complete a physical symptom assessment with someone living with serious illness.

5) Have a conversation with someone you know about Advance Care Planning. In the assignment you will focus on who would be the person that they would want to speak for them if they could not speak for themselves, often known as the MDPOA.

When you successfully complete all 5 of these assignments and the other course work you will earn the Coursera Specialization Certificate in Palliative Care. More importantly you will be prepared to help others live well with serious and life-limiting disease.

What's inside

Syllabus

Nature of Suffering Capstone Project

In this module you will use the Nature of Suffering Evaluation Form to guide your conversation with someone living with serious illness and report and reflect on how this illness is impacting different aspects of their lives. You may want to review the videos about the Nature of Suffering Evaluation form and how it guide a conversation with Ollie Green.

SNAP and Self-Awareness Capstone Project

It’s just natural to think that what we value and think is important about our health, our response to illness and our own death will be the same as other people around us. In fact, we all have unique perspectives that are informed by our life experiences and beliefs. Using SNAP/Self-Awareness skills explore the values of someone close to you and your own values as relate to health, illness and dying.

Easing Pain Capstone Project

Pain is complicated! Remember, there are three different types of pain and that the pain experience can help us understand how we can help people have better pain control, live better with pain and advocate with the healthcare system for help when pain is severe and contributing to suffering. Using the WILDA tool complete a pain assessment with someone living with serious illness.

Easing Physical Symptoms Capstone Project

Physical symptoms like, weakness and fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation, shortness of breath and many more are extremely common for people living with serious and life-limiting illness. The first step is to do a Physical Symptom Assessment to understand which symptoms are present and which ones are the most distressing. Use the ESAS tool complete a physical symptom assessment with someone living with serious illness.

Advance Care Planning Capstone Project

Most of the time people living with serious illness have been thinking about what might happen if they got sicker, the kinds of treatments they might want or not want and who they would want to speak for them if they could not speak for themselves. Unfortunately, this is usually not written down and the medical team and family and friends have not talked openly. You can help by having a conversation with someone you know about Advance Care Planning. In the assignment you will focus on who would be the person that they would want to speak for them if they could not speak for themselves, often known as the MDPOA.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides instruction in the diverse nature of suffering through the Nature of Suffering Evaluation Form

Provides the opportunity to engage with the values of individuals regarding health, illness, and death with the SNAP Assessment

Includes use of established pain assessment tools, such as WILDA and ESAS, for practical application

Focuses on Advance Care Planning, enabling learners to have important conversations about end-of-life care

The course emphasizes preparing learners to help others navigate serious and life-limiting illnesses

Designed for individuals interested in supporting those with serious illnesses

Reviews summary

Meaningful palliative care training

Learners say this Palliative Care Capstone Projects course provides important empathy-building exercises through its well-presented review of palliative care topics including self-awareness, suffering, pain management, and psychosocial aspects. The hands-on projects help learners apply the course material, while engaging assignments and knowledgeable instructors make this course largely positive.

Instructors demonstrate expertise in palliative care.

"All the instructors are specialists and highlighted knowledgeable in Palliative Care."

Course covers a wide range of palliative care topics in-depth.

"The Specialization covered the Pain Management, Physical Symptoms, and Aspects Psychosocial and Spiritual of the Palliative Care, and are very well explained and complemented with videos and a lot of resources."

Projects provide real-world opportunities to cultivate empathy.

"Reviewing othersâ€™s story of sufferings of the terminally ill helps to build up the very important clinical sense of empathy."

Learners express frustration with delays related to peer feedback.

"Waiting to complete was frustrating waiting for peer review element."

Some learners criticize the grading process.

"Es injusto el tiempo requerido para la calificación de los trabajos. Pero lo peor, es que la calificación la hacen personas que no se toman la molestia de leer lo que uno escribe, dan un mal puntaje y no justifican por qué."

Career center

Learners who complete Palliative Care Capstone Projects will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Palliative Care Physician

Palliative Care Physicians specialize in the care of patients with serious illnesses. They focus on providing relief from pain and other symptoms, and on improving the quality of life for patients and their families. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course can help Palliative Care Physicians develop the skills and knowledge they need to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with serious illnesses. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which are essential for Palliative Care Physicians.

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Hospice Nurse

Hospice Nurses provide care to patients with terminal illnesses and their families. They focus on providing comfort and support during the end-of-life process. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course can help Hospice Nurses develop the skills and knowledge they need to provide compassionate care to patients and families. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which are essential for Hospice Nurses.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support and counseling to patients with serious illnesses and their families. They help patients cope with the emotional and social challenges of illness, and they advocate for their needs. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course can help Social Workers develop the skills and knowledge they need to provide compassionate care to patients and families. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which are essential for Social Workers.

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Case Manager

Case Managers work with people with serious illnesses and their families to develop and implement care plans. They coordinate and monitor care, provide support and education, and advocate for the patient's needs. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course can help Case Managers develop the skills and knowledge they need to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with serious illnesses. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which are essential for Case Managers.

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Chaplain

Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients with serious illnesses and their families. They help patients find meaning and purpose in their illness, and they offer support during difficult times. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course can help Chaplains develop the skills and knowledge they need to provide compassionate care to patients and families. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which are essential for Chaplains.

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Bereavement Coordinator

Bereavement Coordinators provide support and guidance to families who have lost a loved one. They help families plan and cope with the funeral and burial process, and they offer ongoing support during the grieving process. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course can help Bereavement Coordinators develop the skills and knowledge they need to provide compassionate care to grieving families. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which are essential for Bereavement Coordinators.

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Grief Counselor

Grief Counselors help people cope with the death of a loved one. They provide support and counseling to help people understand and process their grief. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course can help Grief Counselors develop the skills and knowledge they need to provide compassionate care to grieving individuals. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which are essential for Grief Counselors.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide healthcare services under the supervision of a physician. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, performing physical exams, and prescribing medication. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Physician Assistants who want to develop a deeper understanding of the ethical issues surrounding death and dying. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Physician Assistants in their work.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators plan, organize, and manage healthcare organizations. They work to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Healthcare Administrators who want to develop a deeper understanding of the ethical issues surrounding death and dying. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Healthcare Administrators in their work.

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Medical Ethicist

Medical Ethicists consult on ethical issues in healthcare. They help healthcare professionals make decisions about end-of-life care, organ donation, and other difficult ethical issues. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Medical Ethicists who want to develop a deeper understanding of the ethical issues surrounding death and dying. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Medical Ethicists in their work.

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Bioethicist

Bioethicists study the ethical issues raised by advances in biology and medicine. They consult on ethical issues in healthcare, research, and public policy. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Bioethicists who want to develop a deeper understanding of the ethical issues surrounding death and dying. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Bioethicists in their work.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts analyze health policy and make recommendations for changes. They work with policymakers to develop and implement health policies that improve the health of the population. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Health Policy Analysts who want to develop a deeper understanding of the ethical issues surrounding death and dying. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Health Policy Analysts in their work.

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Forensic Pathologist

Forensic Pathologists perform autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. They also provide expert testimony in court. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Forensic Pathologists who want to develop a deeper understanding of the medical aspects of death and dying. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Forensic Pathologists in their work.

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Medical Examiner

Medical Examiners investigate deaths to determine the cause and manner of death. They also provide expert testimony in court. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Medical Examiners who want to develop a deeper understanding of the medical aspects of death and dying. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Medical Examiners in their work.

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Funeral Director

Funeral Directors plan and coordinate funerals and memorial services. They work with families to create a meaningful and personalized service that honors the life of the deceased. The Palliative Care Capstone Projects course may be useful for Funeral Directors who want to develop a deeper understanding of the needs of families who have lost a loved one. The course covers topics such as pain and symptom management, advance care planning, and communication skills, all of which can be helpful for Funeral Directors in providing compassionate care to grieving families.

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