The World Health Assembly Resolution “Strengthening of palliative care as a component of comprehensive care throughout the life course” identifies palliative care as an ethical responsibility of health systems and that it is ‘the ethical duty of health care professionals to alleviate pain and suffering.” Palliative care is also an essential element of Universal Health Coverage and a fundamental component of a primary health care approach. The University of Cape Town established a world-renowned palliative care and medicine teaching and research group in 2001. In 2021 this program became a fully-fledged division known as The Division of Interdisciplinary Palliative Care and Medicine. The Interdisciplinary Palliative Care and Medicine (IPCM) unit is placed within the Department of Family Community and Emergency Care.
Undergraduate training
Undergraduate training is a spiralled program in the MBChB curriculum with 47 hours of dedicated palliative medicine training across the 6 years of the MBChB program. This training starts in from the 3rd year in the ‘Becoming a Doctor’ course and extends to Health in Context course/programme in the 4th year, Internal Medicine in the 4th year and in Family Medicine in the 6th year. Training occurs in hospital settings, primary health care setting and hospices.
Postgraduate training
- The Post Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care/Medicine:
The Post Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care/Medicine is a 1-year blended learning program training intermediate-level palliative care to qualified healthcare professionals. This course aims to equip experienced healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills for the practical management of patients with life-limiting/life-threatening illnesses; including advanced cancer, HIV/AIDS and end-stage disease, organ failure, and progressive neurological disorders. This course also focuses on the practical ethical management of patient care and emphasises communication skills. The topics are explored through interactive workshops and focused readings supported by web-based learning. Students are expected to apply their learning in the context of their own work setting.
This program accepts 25 students annually and has trained many South African and African clinicians in palliative care. Applications to this program are selected in September.
- The M.Phil in Palliative Care:
This course is a blended learning program equipping palliative care providers with advanced skills in palliative care, research skills, ethics, and advocacy. Intermediate-level palliative care training is a prerequisite for entry into this course. This degree consists of 2 courses: research methods and the submission of a mini-dissertation.
- Introduction to Palliative care:
This is a 40-hour online course for all healthcare professionals in basic palliative care. It is online and consists out of 10 online modules and online teaching sessions. This is a CPD-accredited course and is administered by the UCT Continuing Education Unit.
- Palliative Care for Oncology:
This is a blended courses that is bespoke for oncologist in training. This course is convened by IPCM and Clinical Oncology at UCT. This course also aims to mentor other radiation oncology training sites across Africa to integrate palliative care into their oncology curriculums. This course is being administered by the UCT Continued Education Unit.
The MPhil program has trained and supported research students in palliative care, and the research dissertations that have been completed provide the foundation for a growing evidence-base to palliative care in Africa. The IPCM group has also initiated a number of research projects and has attracted funding to undertake these research projects.
The research aims of the division are founded on the need for investigation into the complexities of integrating palliative care in low and middle-income settings where health systems differ from high-income settings and where resources are limited. Currently, this group is focussing on integrating palliative care in the primary care setting. We have 4 dedicated research staff involved in an NHIR-funded grant called GHAP, in collaboration with the Cicely Saunders Institute at King’s College London. IPCM has strong international relationships with research partners on the African continent and internationally.
Partners
Futures etc: There is a need to better understand the needs of patients, family members and health care professionals, alongside the details of how best to provide patient care and family support in our South African settings. The interdisciplinary nature of the palliative care team provides a rich resource for exploring and addressing these complex challenges facing the health system.
Social Responsiveness
IPCM has a long history and strong relationship with non-governmental organisations who aim to improve access to quality palliative care. The Hospice and Palliative Care Association of South Africa collaborates with IPCM in teaching, policy development and advocacy. Members of IPCM serve on the board of the Palliative Care Practitioners Association of South Africa(PalPrac). PalPrac has become a community of practice for graduates to promote and advocate for access to quality palliative care.
Staff have contributed to the development of palliative care internationally, nationally and in the Western Cape province. Prof Gwyther was a founder trustee of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA), is a recent chair of WHPCA, previous director of African Palliative Care Association (APCA), PainSA, ehospice, and was previously on the board of the Networking HIV & AIDS Community of Southern Africa (NACOSA). Rene Krause serves on the board of APCA.
Members of IPCM serve on the Palliative Care Action Group, the Western Cape Provincial Palliative Care Task Team and the National Palliative Care Guideline team.