The objectives of this training program were to consolidate skills in evidence-based interventions and strategies to promote adjustment and reduce overall risk of psychopathology of patients in palliative care setting. It also aimed to help us delineating and enhancing the role of clinical psychologists in the multi-disciplinary collaborative practice through learning about different service delivery models in the training program.
The training took place at the University of Melbourne and on the clinical oncology department in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The training was divided into two parts – a four day training workshop and a 2-weeks clinical attachment.
Similar to the practice in Hong Kong, the palliative care team provides inpatient, outpatient, consultancy and day care service. The team also liaises closely with services in the community, e.g. the Melbourne City Mission team who offers home visit and home based support. After office hours telephone support service was often operated by senior palliative care nurses so as to support patients and carers living in the community.
At St. Vincent Hospital, there is a specialized team named the Psychosocial Cancer Care team to offer inpatient and outpatient psycho-oncology service to cancer and palliative care patients. The team is led by psychiatrists and includes clinical psychologists, music therapist and art therapist.
Through this training, we learned about the use of Biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) Model in understanding patients’ psychosocial and spiritual needs and guiding psychological treatment. We also observed how the use of psychotropic drug for psychiatric problems or illness related symptoms could ease patients’ distress efficiently. Lastly, participation in staff support group had equipped us to offer spiritual support to our team in the future.
This overseas training offers a valuable opportunity for us to update our professional knowledge and clinical skills in assessment and management of psychiatric and psychological distress in palliative care setting. The combination of training workshop and clinical attachment is perfectly arranged for our learning, to apply what we have learnt in clinical practice.
Co-location with:
