Clinicians from around Queensland were recently involved in a placement with the Paediatric Palliative Care Service in Brisbane under the Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) initiative.
Four PEPA participants took part in five day supervised clinical placements encompassing the paediatric palliative care course and the Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education’s research conference. Participants included Bundaberg junior doctor Halima Goss, Cairns Hospital registered nurse Trudi Jobling and senior social worker Jodi Sariman, and Julie Heath a registered nurse from Logan Hospital.
PEPA Queensland Manager Aurora Hodges says that specialists at the host site mentored participants with the goal of incorporating the palliative approach to care in their workplace as well as encouraging stronger linkages with specialist services.She said participants could observe the multidisciplinary approach to palliative care through ward rounds, case conferences, team and family meetings, home visits and in-service sessions…read more
Through the PPCS, PEPA has been able to provide a unique learning experience for Queensland regional paediatric clinicians. Aurora Hodges says, “If you are a clinician working with children and interested in palliative care, I recommend you apply for a PEPA placement with the Paediatric Palliative Care Service.”
PEPA, which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, also provides placements for clinicians working with adults with life-limiting illnesses.