Interprofessional Palliative Care Program

This program facilitates small teams of interprofessional students learning about the importance of collaborative partnerships between all care providers to ensure access to and quality and continuity of palliative care for persons with serious illness and at the end of life. Students from different health professions work together from January – April to learn how to engage in true interprofessional education (IPE) to enable effective collaboration to improve health outcomes for those receiving palliative care. Teams work together on case-based discussions and presentations, and there is an opportunity to observe Jefferson’s Palliative Care team rounds and to shadow a Jefferson palliative care provider.

With the mentorship of faculty and clinical advisors, participating students will be responsible for learning the essential principles of palliative care and participate with the Jefferson Palliative Care team in designated patient-related activities. In addition, students will be completing an online curriculum, organizing team meetings, and interacting with the Jefferson Palliative Care team. 

After completing the program, participants can expect to better understand the roles and responsibilities of different team members in providing palliative care, as well as how to utilize communication skills with patients with serious illness and at the end of life, as well as with their caregivers.

Application Process

Applications are currently closed for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Please contact JCIPE@jefferson.edu if you are interested in future offerings.

Student Roles & Responsibilities

• Attend the following required program events: Kick-Off and Wrap-Up (dates listed above)
• Attend monthly team meetings via video conferencing with faculty team leads and discuss case-studies, course content, and findings from patient meetings as applicable
• Complete pre-program and post-program evaluation surveys
• Complete online curriculum and team assignments
• Complete online curriculum and team assignments
• Participate in in-person observation of the palliative care team
• Complete and present a team research presentation about your experience during the program

Objectives

• Describe the principles of palliative care
• Implement the concepts of interprofessional teamwork
• Apply the principles of palliative care in collaborating with healthcare professionals to generate potential care solutions for palliative care patients
• Analyze and evaluate palliative care and interprofessional teamwork through a scholarly presentation

Time Commitment

Variable (2-4 hours/week)