The focus of the Essential Pain Management (EPM) program is on the Pharmacological Management of Pain. Pain assessment, management, and evaluation are foundational skills for nurses working in any practice setting. EPM aims to equip nurses with a foundational knowledge base and skills around pain management, from a palliative care approach, that can be applied to your practice.

Intended Audience

EPM is designed to benefit and appeal to all classes of nurses who care for adults living with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses. It allows you set your own learning pace as you enhance foundational knowledge, interact with evidence-informed tools and resources to complete case-based activities, and engage in one or more coaching sessions designed to be responsive to your individual pain-related learning needs.

Pre-requisite: Must be an NP, RN or RPN

Why EPM?

• Peer-reviewed, evidence-informed and up-to-date course content
• Facilitation and mentorship by experienced local palliative care nurse consultants
• Successful completion of EPM prepares learners to meet the palliative care competencies for Nurses as outlined in:
  • Ontario Palliative Care Competency Framework 
  • Canadian Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Competency Framework 

EPM Course

You will have a minimum of six weeks to complete the course. To receive an EPM certificate, you must:

• complete the four modules online, and,
• Attend one 90-minute, mandatory online coaching session. The option to engage in multiple coaching sessions is left to your discretion.

Full Participation is mandatory to receive a certificate.

EPM Objectives

You will have a minimum of six weeks to complete the course. To receive an EPM certificate, you must:

• identify a palliative approach to pain management differs from other forms of pain management (Note: course content does not focus on primary chronic pain)
• describe common challenges, myths and misunderstandings that pose potential barriers to providing pain management, particularly when caring for persons from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• understand the pathophysiology of the pain pathways in order to understand the approaches to palliating pain.
• use evidence informed strategies and tools to complete pain assessment based on the unique needs of the person and practice setting.
• demonstrate effective approaches to communication about pain management for the person/family, and the healthcare team.
• recognize opportunities to collaborate with the care team to manage pain effectively based on the persons identified goals of care.
• provide education for person/family related to pain assessment and management.

Course Details

This online course is provided using the Partnering for Palliative Education online learning platform, powered by D2L's Brightspace. You will be required to use a computer, tablet, or smart phone with a microphone & camera to allow for two-way communication between coaches and peers.

• Technology Requirements 

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Optional Module

Advanced Approaches to Manage Pain (AMP) Preparation

Following EPM, you will have automatic access to the online AMP Preparation Module to explore advanced pain management.

Following successful completion of the AMP Preparation module, and the AMP module quiz, you’ll earn your AMP Preparation badge. At that time, you will be invited to register for the 3-hour, AMP coaching session. To receive an AMP certificate, you must complete:

• the online AMP Preparation Module
• one mandatory 3-hour, AMP coaching session with case-based activities to practice your skills.

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Printable Flyer

• EPM: Using a Palliative Approach