Training Healthcare Professionals in Palliative Care

Introduction
Palliative care is a cornerstone of comprehensive healthcare, focusing on improving the quality
of life for individuals facing serious illness by addressing their physical, psychological, social,
and spiritual needs. At Ghana Palliative Care Association, we recognize the essential role
healthcare professionals play in providing compassionate, patient-centered care. To ensure high
standards, it is critical to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and
attitudes to deliver palliative care at all levels of the healthcare system.
Training healthcare professionals in palliative care is a strategic priority for us, in alignment with
the draft Ghana Palliative Care Association&’s (GPCA) five-year national strategy under the
country's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 2020-2030 policy of the MoH. Our initiatives aim
to bridge the gaps in knowledge, foster professional excellence, and ultimately improve patient
outcomes in palliative and chronic care delivery. It also combines strategic collaboration with
our institutional members and other collaborative bodies. One of these relations is with the White
Valley Care Limited and Palliumgeron Caregivers Limited, both institutional members of GPCA
and in good standing who obliged to the GPCA’s call for proposals to collaborate in September
2024.

The Need for Palliative Care Training
Palliative care remains underdeveloped in Ghana, with limited awareness and few specialized
services integrated into mainstream healthcare. Many patients and families struggle to manage
chronic and life-limiting conditions, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory
illnesses, without adequate support. As a result, healthcare providers, from nurses to physicians
and social workers, often encounter patients in need of holistic care but lack the training to meet
these needs effectively.
Integrating palliative care into Ghana’s primary and tertiary healthcare system requires a well-
trained workforce capable of addressing the complex needs of patients and caregivers. At GPCA,
we are actively supporting efforts to empower healthcare professionals with practical, evidence-
based training programs.

GPCA’s Training Initiatives: Objectives and Programs

GPCA’s training framework is built to equip healthcare professionals with essential palliative
care skills and knowledge at different stages of their career. Through partnerships with the
institutional members and the Ghana Health Service, we focus on three core areas:
1. Basic Palliative Care for Primary Healthcare Workers
2. Advanced Palliative Care Training for Specialists
3. Continuous Professional Development; and
4. Certification for Caregivers
1. Basic Palliative Care for Primary Healthcare Workers
Primary healthcare workers, including community health nurses and medical officers at district
health facilities, are the first point of contact for patients. They play a pivotal role in identifying
and managing palliative care needs early.
To strengthen care at this level, GPCA offers foundational training programs covering:
 The principles and philosophy of palliative care
 Pain management and symptom control
 Psychosocial and spiritual care
 Effective communication with patients and families
We also promote the integration of palliative care services within district hospitals and
community health facilities, helping ensure patients receive timely and appropriate support close
to their homes.
2. Advanced Palliative Care Training for Specialists
Specialists such as oncologists, geriatricians, and palliative care physicians play a key role in
providing advanced care to patients with complex needs. Our advanced training focuses on
developing their expertise in areas such as:
 Managing refractory symptoms
 Palliative care in surgical settings
 Ethical decision-making and end-of-life care planning
 Multi-disciplinary teamwork and care coordination
Through scholarships, clinical placements, and mentorship programs, we encourage
professionals to pursue palliative care as a specialized career path. Our aim is to foster a network
of skilled specialists who can provide leadership and mentorship in various healthcare settings.
3. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programs
by GPCA

The Ghana Palliative Care Association (GPCA) aims to introduce structured CPD programs to
enhance healthcare professionals' skills in palliative care. These programs will focus on:
1. Core Training Modules: Covering symptom management, psychosocial support, ethical
care, and communication with patients and families.
2. Workshops and Seminars: Facilitating hands-on training in home-based and
institutional care models.
3. Accreditation and Certification: Offering points-based learning with recognized
certificates to meet licensing renewal requirements.
4. Online and Hybrid Courses: Integrating flexible learning modules, including
telemedicine approaches in palliative care.
5. Research and Innovation: Promoting the latest evidence-based practices through
research dissemination and collaborative studies.
These CPD programs will support continuous learning for doctors, nurses, caregivers, and allied
health professionals, ensuring quality care delivery nationwide.
4. Certification for Caregivers
The caregiving workforce plays a vital role in delivering home-based palliative care. However,
most caregivers in Ghana lack standardized training or formal certification. White Valley Care is
committed to establishing a national caregiver certification system in partnership with
Palliumgeron Caregivers under the GPCA.
This program provides caregivers with:
Comprehensive training in personal care, hygiene, and patient safety
Emotional support techniques and communication skills
Basic medical care competencies, including medication management
Certification and licensing to ensure quality and professionalism
Our goal is to create a well-regulated and trained caregiving workforce, ensuring patients receive
high-quality care, whether at home or in healthcare facilities.
Innovative Approaches: Technology and Mobile Health Solutions
To further support healthcare professionals, White Valley Care leverages telemedicine
platforms and mobile health applications. These technologies enable real-time consultations,
remote monitoring of patients, and access to palliative care resources for both caregivers and
healthcare professionals. By integrating digital tools into our training programs, we help
professionals stay connected, up-to-date, and responsive to patient needs, even in remote areas.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Our training initiatives are strengthened through strategic partnerships with the Ghana Health
Service, the GPCA, and private healthcare facilities. We also collaborate with international

organizations such, ensuring our programs align with global standards and best practices. By
working with both public and private partners, White Valley Care fosters a multi-sector
approach to palliative care development, ensuring sustainable progress.
Impact and Future Directions
Since launching these initiatives, we have trained a little over 100 persons across multiple
regions, fostering awareness and enhancing the quality of care provided. However, the journey to
fully integrating palliative care in Ghana is ongoing. White Valley Care and Palliumgeron
remains caregivers committed to:
 Expanding training opportunities to all sixteen regions of Ghana
 Establishing accredited regional training centers
 Advocating for palliative care inclusion in national health policies and budgets.
Through continuous engagement with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities,
White Valley Care and Palliumgeron Caregivers Limited envisions a future where palliative
care is accessible to every Ghanaian in need, regardless of their location or financial situation.
Conclusion
Training healthcare professionals in palliative care is not just a program—it is a commitment to
dignity, compassion, and quality of life for all patients facing serious illness. At GPCA, we
believe that every healthcare professional, from doctors to caregivers, has a role to play in
transforming palliative care in Ghana. Through targeted training, innovative solutions, and
collaborative partnerships, we are building a future where every patient receives the care they
deserve, when and where they need it most.
Together, we can make palliative care a reality for all.
References
WHO Guidelines: The World Health Organization emphasizes the need for training across all
levels of healthcare to improve symptom management, communication, and holistic care for
patients with serious illnesses. WHO’s palliative care curriculum framework is widely
recognized.
Mixed-Method Evaluations: A study published in BMC Palliative Care evaluates the impact
of palliative care training on professionals, highlighting improvements in patient care,
interdisciplinary collaboration, and emotional self-awareness post-training.
Specialist Training Programs: Organizations like the European Association for Palliative
Care (EAPC) have set core competencies that help in structuring effective training programs to
ensure quality care.

Continuing Professional Development in Palliative Care
The importance of CPD in healthcare ensures professionals stay updated with current practices,
especially in palliative care, where new medical approaches, psychosocial care, and
communication techniques evolve frequently. The CPD Certification Service offers various
online modules for healthcare professionals focusing on end-of-life care, spiritual well-being,
and ethical aspects of patient support. CPD UK.
CPD Framework and Course Examples
Universities such as Edge Hill University integrate palliative care modules into their health
programs, blending online and face-to-face learning for healthcare workers. These modules
cover themes such as symptom management, communication in end-of-life care, and future care
planning. The programs emphasize real-life application and flexibility through hybrid learning
models to accommodate working professionals. Edge Hill University.
Global Trends in CPD for Health Workers
Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) and professional development programs
globally indicate that regular CPD keeps healthcare providers competent in areas such as chronic
disease management and palliative care. It also helps align professionals with national and
international healthcare standards, which is crucial as countries like Ghana integrate palliative
care into primary healthcare systems.
Palliative Care Associations and CPD Programs
Local and international associations, including GPCA, actively promote CPD programs to
enhance the skills of healthcare providers. These programs include caregiver certification, the
regulation of home-based care, and training on ethical and spiritual care, which are pivotal in
countries integrating palliative services at different levels of healthcare.

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