Internet-based Education on End-Of-Life Issues for Mental Health Providers The American Psychological Association (APA) and its collaborator, eNURSING llc , is very pleased and proud to present a new ten-module, online, continuing education program for psychologists, social workers, hospice volunteers, clergy and others who work with people facing end of life (EOL) issues and concerns. All ten modules offer current, evidence-based information along with case examples, practical treatment tips, and numerous opportunities for applying lessons learned.  Each module utilizes audio and video presentations in addition to text to keep the learning experience lively and engaging.  The modules are designed with a flexible format that allows users to engage the material in a variety of ways.  This built-in flexibility enables users to access information in a manner that suits their learning style. The program was developed through two grants from the Small Business Innovations Research (SBIR) Program of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). All modules in the EOL program are considered to be “stand-alone” and thus each can be taken separately or in combination with others.  Two hours of continuing education (CE) credit are earned for the completion of each module.   Twenty (20) hours of continuing education credit are earned for completing all ten modules. These courses are approved by the APA Office of Continuing Education in Psychology to offer Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologist. In addition, the following Associations/Organizations have approved these courses: National Association of Social Workers Association for Death Education and Counseling Certification in Thanatology National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization The American Geriatrics Society These programs are available through the partnership of the APA Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP) and eNURSING llc. Purchases are made on the APA Web site followed by an email notification with a link to access the programs and CE exams on the eNURSING llc site. The Documentation of CE Credit is available upon successful completion of the test (75% or higher).   Module 1: Overview of End-Of-Life Issues for the Mental Health Provider 2 Credits/10 questions Authors: John R. Anderson, William E. Haley, and Renee S. Katz This module provides an overview of end-of-life care in the United States and the unique roles, tasks and challengers for mental health providers working in this area of practice. This course is designed to help you: Define key concepts related to end-of-life care; Describe hospice and palliative care and how both are typically delivered in the United States; Articulate the historical, cultural, and contextual issues that affect end-of-life care in the United States; Recognize your own feelings and attitudes about death, dying, and end-of-life care; and List the major ways in which mental health providers can assist patients and their families near the end of life. Prices—50% Discount on Introductory Module Member price:  $30.00   $15.00 Non-member price:  $40.00   $20.00 Module 2: Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Distress near the End of Life 2 Credits/10 questions Biographies of the presenters, Barry Rosenfeld, James Werth, John Anderson Psychological distress impairs the patient’s capacities for pleasure, meaning, and connection; erodes quality of life; amplifies pain and other symptoms; reduces the patient’s ability to do the emotional work of separating and saying goodbye; and causes anguish and worry in family members and friends. In fact, psychological distress, particularly depression, is a risk factor for suicide and for requests to hasten death. This course is designed to help you: Differentiate normal from pathological reactions to terminal illness; Explain how symptoms of psychological distress are expressed, assessed, and treated in the context of terminal illness; and Describe various forms of treatment for psychological distress near the end of life. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 3: Assessment and Treatment of Pain at the End of Life 2 Credits/10 questions Biographies of the presenters: Steven D. Passik, Karen Byers It is reported that approximately 75% of patients with advanced cancer have pain) and that 50% of terminally ill patients experience moderate to severe pain In addition, estimates indicate that 25% of cancer patients die in severe pain Studies have consistently shown that pain is frequently under diagnosed and inadequately treated. The number of distressing physical symptoms also increases with disease progression so that patients with advanced disease report a median of 11 symptoms of distress. This course is designed to help you: Recognize the multiple dimensions of pain, Describe barriers that affect the appropriate management of pain, Practice approaches to pain assessment and use two pain assessment measures, Explain types of behavioral interventions for patients who are experiencing pain related to advanced disease, Know general pharmacological approaches to the management of pain, and Describe the treatment of pain that co-occurs with substance abuse and addiction. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 4: Diagnosis and Treatment of Cognitive Changes at the End of Life 2 Credits/10 questions Biography of the presenter: David K. Payne Various types of disorders, diagnostic techniques, and treatment strategies are associated with end-of-life care. Cognitive changes may interfere with a patient’s having a “good death” and deprive families of the opportunity to communicate meaningfully with their loved ones, which may lead to significant distress. This module will introduce the two most common cognitive disorders present at the end of life: delirium and dementia. This course is designed to help you: Describe the most common causes of cognitive changes in the end-of-life context; List the most common symptoms and causes of delirium and dementia; Distinguish between delirium, dementia, and depression near the end of life; Utilize common behavioral strategies for managing delirium and dementia; and Describe the most commonly used pharmacological managements for delirium and dementia. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 5: Grief and Bereavement 2 Credits/10 questions Biography of the presenter: Robert A. Neimeyer This module will cover the theories, symptoms, and features of bereavement and grief. It will examine the features of complicated grief and review interventions for integrating loss and exploring reconstruction of meaning. This course is designed to help you: Apply the concepts of major grief theories and research to clinical material, Recognize common risk factors for poor bereavement outcomes, Assess symptoms associated with complicated or prolonged grief disorder, Select appropriate general and specialized scales to evaluate grief, Identify three narrative interventions for fostering the integration of loss, and Conduct a meaning reconstruction interview. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 6: Religious and Spiritual Issues At the End of Life 2 Credits/10 questions Biographies of the presenters: Robert Washington, James L. Werth, Jr., John R. Anderson, Martha S. Mihaly Nearly 90% of Americans say that they are religious or spiritual and clients and their families frequently face common spiritual and religious concerns at the end of life. A considerable body of research has demonstrated the link between religious/spiritual beliefs and health. Studies have shown that medically ill patients who rely on religion are less likely to develop depression, have lower rates of suicide, and enjoy a greater sense of well-being and positive emotions than those who do not. This course is designed to help you: Recognize the significance of religion and spirituality in the lives of those who are dying and their family and friends, Describe a variety of approaches to conducting a spiritual assessment for patients near the end of life, and Describe three common spiritual concerns of dying persons and their family and friends. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 7: Family Caregiving Issues at the End of Life 2 Credits/10 questions Biography of the presenter: William E. Haley Many of us have had personal experiences with family caregiving. Those of us who have not are likely to anticipate experiences that we may have in the future with the aging of our parents, our partners, and other family members and friends. In end-of-life care, much of the attention focuses on the dying person. The caregiving role can be highly stressful, and research has shown that highly stressed caregivers are at risk for a variety of problems. At the same time, caregiving can be a role that leads some individuals to experience psychological benefits and personal growth from the roles that they have undertaken. This course is designed to help you: Discuss what is known about family caregiver roles in end-of-life care and about the burdens and benefits these caregivers experience, Use a stress and coping model to conceptualize differences in how individuals adapt to being family caregivers and providing end-of-life care, Describe hospice and palliative care services and their role in enhancing family members’ adaptation to the role of caregiver, Assess psychological reactions to loss among family members providing end-of-life care, Describe the role of cultural diversity in the end-of-life caregiving experience, and Comprehend the roles of psychologists and other professionals in addressing family issues in providing end-of–life care. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 8: Teamwork in End-Of-Life Care 2 Credits/10 questions Biographies of the presenters: Donna M. Kwilosz, Julia Kasl-Godley Integrative care, in which providers collaborate in their assessment, treatment plans, treatment implementation, and outcome evaluation has also been a trend in primary care. Despite the increasing expectation and need for patient care to be integrated care, most mental health professionals do not receive systematic training in interdisciplinary team processes, functions, or interdisciplinary education. This course is designed to help you: Differentiate between different types of end-of-life care teams in medical settings and identify the strengths and challenges associated with them, Identify psychological issues that affect patient and family coping near the end of life and the ways in which mental health providers working with treatment teams can contribute to the management of these issues, and Apply specific skills for interacting with treatment teams involved with end-of-life care. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 9: Law and Ethics Associated with Care at the End of Life 2 Credits/10 questions Biography of the presenter: James L. Werth, Jr. Ethical and legal issues for the clinician often arise: (a) when decisions to limit treatment have the potential to affect the manner and timing of death, (b) when treatment decisions will deliberately hasten death, and (c) when the potential for boundary crossings or multiple relationships exists. There is a variety of types of law that may impact end-of-life care: federal, state, and local. Mental health professionals must take into account federal and state case law and federal and state statutes when providing services. They also need to be aware of their biases and the biases of other health care professionals regarding “appropriate” decisions in various end-of-life situations. Given that there are a number of ways that cultural beliefs can affect end-of-life decision making, it is important to know how these biases may be affecting interactions with patients and loved ones. These biases may also come into play when cultural beliefs can affect end-of-life decision making. This course is designed to help you: Describe at least three legal cases relevant to working clients near the end of life, Discus the role of federal and state statutes when working with dying clients and their loved ones, Use your profession’s code of ethics when making ethical decisions in end-of-life care, Describe at least three types of clinical situations involving end-of-life issues that have ethical and legal implications, and Describe the possible effects of culture on ethical analyses and decisions. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00 Module 10: Advance Care Planning at the End of Life 2 Credits/10 questions Biographies of the presenters: Peter Ditto, Susan Hickman During the last few decades rapid advances in medical technology have added to the debate of quality of life, as opposed to quantity of life. When it is time to make difficult decisions about the use of life-sustaining medical treatment, many individuals are already so sick that they have lost the ability to make these decisions for themselves. For this reasons, it is important that people be encouraged to plan in advance for how they want medical decisions made for them near the end of life. This course is designed to help you: Identify the history and legal basis of advance directives; Explain the different types of advance directives available to clients; Identify the ethical and legal issues involved in decision making for incapacitated patients; Discuss potential problems with the use of advance directives in end-of-life medical decision making; Recognize factors that influence decision-making and treatment preferences; and Facilitate advance care planning to support clients’ needs, values, and goals. Prices Member price: $30.00 Non-member price: $40.00