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Course Description

Course Number 20-705782

     For parents of children with a life-limiting illness clinical courses are frequently lengthy and unpredictable. In addition to the stress placed on the child, these types of clinical courses, when compounded by prognostic uncertainties, care-giving tasks, and financial difficulties, can become emotionally taxing and physically draining, placing an enormous psychosocial strain on the parents, as well as the child. Healthcare professionals need to possess knowledge which enables them to not only assess and provide for the psychosocial needs of the child, but also for those of their parent caregivers as well. Topics covered include; pediatric palliative care programs, family centered care, the types of caring that parents provide for their children, care coordination, decision-making, communication, pain and symptom management, respite, bereavement care, and social as well as emotional support.

  • Course Category | Pediatrics

  • Original Activity Release Date | 01/20/2019

  • Date of Most Recent Review | 12/07/2021

  • Next Review / Activity Termination Date | 12/06/2024

Educational Goals & Learning Outcomes

The goal of this course is to empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge to be able to provide effective support for the parents of children with life-limiting illness. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

  • Appraise the availability and need for Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) services

  • Differentiate the types of care-giving that parents provide for their children

  • Analyze how caring for the parent directly impacts the child

  • Demonstrate what providers can do to support parent caregivers

  • Illustrate modeling of self-care through reflective practice

  • Distinguish the domains of bereavement

About the Course Author(s)

Kendra D. Koch and Barbara L. Jones

Dr. Kendra D. Koch, M.A., Ph.D. is affiliated, as a research coordinator, with the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin.  Dr. Koch received a Masters of Arts in Counseling Degree from the Loise Henderson Wessendorff Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation in Austin, TX and her Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, TX. Areas of research include; family and patient support for Children with Medical Complexity and Children with Special Needs. To view Dr. Koch's full bio click here.

Dr. Barbara L Jones, Ph.D. is affiliated with the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, as Associate Dean for Health Affairs and professor and co-director of the Institute for Collaborative Health Research and Practice. Dr. Jones received her Ph.D. in Social Work from the University at Albany, New York in 2004. Additionally, she is a clinical associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Galveston Medical School, research consultant at Dell Children’s Medical Center and collaborating faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Dr. Jones has received numerous honors and awards and multiple academic / research appointments. To view Dr. Jones's full bio click here.

Course Curriculum