These pages provide access to resources and literature relevant to the practice of palliative care for Speech Pathologists.
Role in palliative care
This information will help you to find out more about working in Palliative Care. It may include narratives from those working in the area, descriptions of the role, or why the position is important.
Education and training
There are different ways to develop your knowledge and skills in palliative care. Web based learning modules, short courses and specialist palliative care courses and training are offered in many organisations and universities. Further information can be found on the Education pages of CareSearch.
The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) provides an opportunity for health, aged and community care professionals (including speech pathologists and other allied health professionals) working in primary care or non-specialist palliative care settings to improve confidence and develop skills in working with people with palliative care needs. PEPA offers workforce placements of up to five days in specialist palliative care services and tailored workshops in the palliative approach. There is no fee for placements. Participation meets continuing professional development requirements for AHPRA. The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at The University of Newcastle, NSW is the only course in Australia at present with an integrated program of “palliative thinking” across the four years of the undergraduate program. The program follows on from pilot research involvement (in collaboration with the discipline of Social Work) in the ‘Palliative Care for Undergraduates’ (PCC4U) program. This pilot research is currently being written up for publication (see Mathisen, Crofts and Yates for full details).
The Occupational Therapy unit at James Cook University offers a postgraduate course ‘Allied Health Interventions for Palliative Care’.
Research
Many health professions may be interested in looking at palliative care research questions in their area of specialty. This may be work that is planned for the future. Any palliative care professional regardless of discipline is able to access the CareSearch Research Data Management System (RDMS).
Resources
Books
- Scott A, Foulsum M. Communication Impairment. In: Voltz R, Bernat JL, Borasio GD, Maddocks I, Oliver D, Portenoy RK, editors. Palliative Care in Neurology. New York: Oxford University Press; 2004. p. 165-77.
- Scott A, McPhee M. Multidisciplinary care: speech and language therapy. In: Oliver D, Borasio GD, Walsh D, editors. Palliative care in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2000. p.117-25.
Palliative care links and information
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is the peak national organisation representing the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of quality care at the end of life for all. It has produced the following policy documents:
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing website has a palliative care section
Free Full Text Article
Related CareSearch pages
What is palliative care?
Clinical practice
Professional and Service Issues
Some of the following PubMed Topic Searches and Systematic Review Collections may be of interest
Finding Evidence
Last updated 16 March 2012