Practical Aspects of Palliative Care (PAPC)

2025 Course Overview

Information for the 2026 course is not yet available.

Practical Aspects of Palliative Care (PAPC) is a two-day course designed to provide physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, chaplains, and other health care professionals with the information and skills needed to provide high-quality palliative care to patients with serious illnesses in a variety of practice settings. 

Taught by leading palliative care faculty from across the HMS network, the teaching and learning at PAPC will build the knowledge base and deliver actionable insights for individual clinicians and clinical teams caring for seriously ill patients in a wide range of settings.  PAPC addresses the assessment and management of current challenges in palliative care, including the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual/existential sources of suffering experienced by patients and their families.  In addition to intensive plenary sessions and interactive breakout sessions, learners can enjoy opportunities to engage informally with one another and with course faculty. 

PAPC addresses the assessment and management of current challenges in palliative care, including the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual/existential sources of suffering experienced by patients and their families.  This year’s course will present three new plenary sessions, including a focus on health equity.  Breakout sessions will include pain and symptom management; serious illness communication skills; interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration across disciplines; leading a family meeting; caring for adolescent and young adult patients; home-based palliative care; and current practice, research, and trends in palliative care.  

Participation in PAPC is available in person in the Boston area and virtually through a hybrid experience.  Participants will be able to earn CMEs for their attendance.  We encourage interdisciplinary teams who work together in palliative care to participate as a group and to benefit from the shared experience and common language of these programs.  Group discounts are available. 

Who Should Attend

• Primary Care Physicians
• Specialty Physicians
• Psychologists 
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners 
• Nurses
• Social Workers 
• Pharmacists 
• Chaplains 
• Hospitalists 
• Geriatricians

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to: 

• Review how to be an effective member of a palliative care team.
• Discuss development of a comprehensive pain management plan, including opioid dosing, side effects, dose titration, and rotation.
• Discuss patient's illness understanding, values and goals, and available treatment options to ensure goal concordant care.
• Assess and address physical, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering in patients and families facing serious illness.
• Expand access to high-quality palliative care for individuals of all ages and medical conditions.