Elective Years 3 and 4: Palliative Care

Department: Oncology
Title:

Palliative Care

This elective is not available until further notice (updated April 20, 2023)

Diversification = R1 Family Medicine
Location:

Tertiary Palliative Care Unit @ the Grey Nuns Community Hospital; University of Alberta and Royal Alexandra Hospitals Consult Programs; Cross Cancer Institute Pain & Symptom & Palliative Consult Service and Edmonton Zone - Palliative Care Program
Duration: Minimum 2 weeks
Contact:

University of Alberta Students: June Carter,  June.Carter@albertahealthservices.ca

Visiting Canadian Medical Students: visitingelectives@ualberta.ca
Overview:

An introduction to the pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of pain, nausea, dyspnea, and other major symptom complexes of advanced cancer.

Psychosocial assessment and management of patients and families.
Objectives:

The Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Dept. of Oncology, University of Alberta provides an excellent milieu for an undergraduate elective in the care of patients with advanced diseases. A coordinated structure is in place which would allow a medical student to receive intensive instruction in patient management on a specialized Palliative Care Unit, and to participate in consult teams operating at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital, Cross Cancer Institute and the Edmonton Zone - Palliative Care Program (hospices and community). The tenets of Palliative Care stress the importance of inter-professional teamwork recognizing the patient and family as a single unit of care. Therefore, assessment of patient and family dynamics and developing communication skills are important aspects of palliative care training.
Notes: Please note that only students who have completed Year 3 Family Medicine and Internal Medicine will be accepted.


Visiting Students: NETCARE ACCESS REQUIRED FOR THIS ELECTIVE: Students MUST request access for Netcare A MINIMUM OF 6 WEEKS before the elective start date. Students who do not place this request before the 6 week deadline will not be granted access. Once visiting students have applied through the AFMC Student Portal and their elective is confirmed, a confirmation email will automatically be generated with further instructions and the online training link for Netcare.
Last Updated: April 20, 2023