N11: End-of-Life Health Care: What it Takes

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Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

End of Life Health Care examines the medical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of caring for patients and families during the final stages of life. This course covers the nature of end of life care including caregiver guidance and signs of approaching death, advance directives including living wills and durable powers of attorney, hospice care resources and funding, the role of spirituality in end of life care, and the importance of integrated palliative care in easing the transition from active treatment. Learners will gain practical knowledge for supporting patients and families through this profoundly important phase of life.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe the nature of end of life care and explain its focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life
  2. Identify the signs that death is approaching and explain appropriate caregiver responses to each
  3. Describe the steps that should be taken after a patient has died
  4. Define advance directives and explain the purpose and components of living wills, health care proxies, and durable power of attorney
  5. Describe the hospice care model and identify key hospice organizations and funding sources including Medicare and Medicaid
  6. Explain the role of religion and spirituality in end of life care and describe how health care providers can address patients’ spiritual needs
  7. Describe the emotional impact of the transition from active treatment to end of life care on patients and families
  8. Explain the importance of integrated palliative care and how it can improve the end of life experience for patients and their loved ones

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.