The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Palliative Medicine (Dip PM) is a specialised qualification designed for learners who wish to advance their knowledge and skills in providing holistic care to patients with life-limiting conditions. This internationally aligned diploma emphasises the importance of compassionate, ethical, and evidence-based practices in palliative medicine.
Palliative medicine plays a vital role in improving the quality of life for patients and their families by addressing not only physical symptoms but also emotional, social, and spiritual needs. This qualification equips learners with the essential competencies required to manage pain, deliver end-of-life care, support families, and contribute to multidisciplinary healthcare teams. By completing this diploma, learners will gain a deeper understanding of best practices in palliative care, preparing them for roles in healthcare settings worldwide.
The programme is particularly beneficial for healthcare professionals, community health practitioners, and individuals seeking to enhance their expertise and increase their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It serves as a strong foundation for those wishing to progress into advanced studies or specialised roles in palliative and supportive care.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Palliative Medicine must ensure that they have competent and qualified staff, along with all the necessary learning materials, facilities, and resources to provide high-quality training. This guarantees that learners receive an exceptional educational experience that meets international standards and equips them with the practical knowledge required to succeed in this sensitive and specialised field.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Palliative Medicine (Dip PM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2200880
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Palliative Medicine (Dip PM) , applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200880-1 |
Principles of Palliative Medicine |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200880-2 |
Pain and Symptom Management |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200880-3 |
Communication Skills in Palliative Care |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200880-4 |
Psychosocial, Spiritual, and Ethical Aspects of Care |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200880-5 |
End-of-Life Care and Family Support |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200880-6 |
Professional Practice and Multidisciplinary Collaboration |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles of Palliative Medicine
Learners will be able to:
- Explain the philosophy, scope, and principles of palliative medicine.
- Identify the role of palliative medicine in enhancing quality of life.
- Recognise the importance of holistic and patient-centred care.
- Apply ethical and compassionate approaches to end-of-life support.
Unit 2: Pain and Symptom Management
Learners will be able to:
- Assess different types of pain and symptoms in patients with life-limiting conditions.
- Apply pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for pain control.
- Manage common symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and nausea.
- Evaluate treatment plans to ensure safe and effective symptom relief.
Unit 3: Communication Skills in Palliative Care
Learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective communication techniques with patients, families, and colleagues.
- Manage sensitive conversations around prognosis, treatment, and end-of-life care.
- Apply active listening and empathy to support patients and families.
- Maintain professional boundaries while offering compassionate support.
Unit 4: Psychosocial, Spiritual, and Ethical Aspects of Care
Learners will be able to:
- Recognise the psychological and emotional needs of patients and families.
- Address the spiritual and cultural dimensions of palliative medicine.
- Apply ethical principles in complex care situations.
- Support families through grief, anxiety, and emotional distress.
Unit 5: End-of-Life Care and Family Support
Learners will be able to:
- Provide high-quality care for patients in the final stages of life.
- Support families through the process of bereavement and loss.
- Plan and implement end-of-life care strategies in line with best practices.
- Demonstrate sensitivity and professionalism when working with families in distress.
Unit 6: Professional Practice and Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Learners will be able to:
- Understand the role of multidisciplinary teams in palliative medicine.
- Apply professional standards, codes of practice, and legal requirements.
- Collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals across disciplines.
- Engage in reflective practice and commit to continuous professional development (CPD).
- Healthcare Professionals – Nurses, doctors, caregivers, and allied health workers seeking to enhance their knowledge of palliative and end-of-life care.
- Community Health Practitioners – Individuals working in hospices, care homes, and community-based health services who want to strengthen their skills in palliative support.
- Medical and Nursing Graduates – Learners with a background in healthcare or life sciences who wish to specialise in palliative medicine.
- Caregivers and Support Workers – Those involved in direct patient care who want to develop professional competence in managing patients with life-limiting conditions.
- Healthcare Administrators and Policy Makers – Professionals involved in planning or managing healthcare services with a focus on palliative and supportive care.
- International Learners – Individuals from around the world looking for an internationally aligned qualification in palliative medicine to boost their career opportunities.
- Professionals Committed to CPD – Learners aiming to expand their expertise, achieve Continuing Professional Development (CPD) goals, and stay updated with best practices in palliative care.
- Educators and Trainers in Healthcare – Those responsible for teaching or training in medical and health-related fields who require deeper knowledge of palliative medicine.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Palliative Medicine (Dip PM) must meet the following requirements to ensure the highest standards of training and learner success:
- Qualified and Competent Trainers – Centres must employ trainers with relevant academic qualifications and professional experience in palliative medicine, healthcare, or end-of-life care.
- Approved Learning Facilities – Adequate classrooms, training venues, and digital platforms should be available, equipped with modern teaching aids such as projectors, simulation tools, and e-learning resources.
- Access to Up-to-Date Learning Materials – Centres must provide learners with textbooks, case studies, clinical guidelines, journals, and online resources relevant to palliative care and medicine.
- Robust Assessment System – Ability to conduct written assignments, case studies, practical assessments, and presentations in compliance with LICQual assessment requirements.
- Quality Assurance Framework – Centres must demonstrate strong internal verification and comply with LICQual’s external quality assurance procedures to maintain international training standards.
- Blended and Online Learning Capability – Facilities to support classroom, online, or hybrid learning delivery, ensuring accessibility for both local and international learners.
- Health and Safety Compliance – Training centres must meet occupational health, safety, and accessibility requirements to provide a secure and inclusive learning environment.
- Administrative Support Staff – Centres must have trained administrative teams to handle learner registration, record keeping, assessments, and certification processes.
- Commitment to Continuous Improvement – Trainers and staff must engage in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to keep teaching practices aligned with the latest developments in palliative medicine.
- Learner-Centred Support – Centres must provide guidance, mentoring, and pastoral care to ensure learners receive the support they need throughout their qualification journey.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
