Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care
The Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care is a practical, interactive, care-based learning experience. The course is rooted in the philosophy of the early-integrated palliative approach to care. It is designed to help health and social care providers build confidence and skill in caring for people living with a serious illness.
Cost: $40 (non – refundable after deadline)
What you will learn
Participants will build their skills and confidence to:
- Introduce the palliative approach to care early in the illness trajectory,
ideally from the time of diagnosis through to the bereavement period. - Practice how to communicate effectively with patients and families facing
serious illness including taking a trauma informed approach to care - Understand and contribute to the interprofessional team
- Reflect on the loss and grief experienced by patients, caregivers and
health/social care providers throughout the illness trajectory - Become familiar with common palliative care tools i.e. Palliative
Performance Scale (PPS), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System
(ESAS), etc.
How you will learn
We believe palliative care is best learned through collaboration, reflection, and practice.
- Facilitated by experienced palliative care nurse mentors
- Interactive, discussion-based sessions, not just passive online modules
- Case-based learning to apply concepts to real clinical situations
- Delivered over 6 weeks, allowing time to integrate learning into practice
Participants consistently highlight the value of learning from colleagues in
different roles and care environments, including primary care, long-term care,
community care, and acute care.
Why it matters
When providers feel confident and supported, everyone has better outcomes. This course equips you with the skills to provide a compassionate, coordinated, and high-quality palliative approach to care no matter your role setting.
Course Access
You’ll receive a welcome email one week before the course starts with login instructions and Zoom link. If you don’t receive it, please contact the Admin Assistant at 905-827-8111.
Course Materials and Technology Requirements
Course readings and e-learning modules are online (D2L Brightspace Learning Environment). You’ll need access to a computer, tablet or smart phone with internet, microphone and camera. If this is a barrier, please let us know so we can help.
The deadline for registration and refund is August 17, 2026
Register for Upcoming 2026 Virtual Courses
NOTE: you must work in Halton or Peel regions to be eligible for these learning opportunities.
Option 1
- Dates of 3 classes: Mondays – September 14, October 5, and October 26, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Online
Option 2
- Dates of 3 classes: Wednesdays – September 16, October 7, and October 28, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Online
Option 3
- Dates of 3 classes: Thursdays – September 17, October 8, and October 29, 2026
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Online
Option 4
- Dates of 3 classes: Tuesdays – September 22, October 13, and November 3, 2026
- Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Online
