The Ruth Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Care offered the ELNEC Core Course through an asynchronous and synchronous webinar last February 15, 17,18, 21,23 &25 2022. The registration included a short pre-test to gauge the participant’s basic palliative care knowledge. Its pre-course began on the 7th of February (a week before) giving access to its participants a password protected microsite that contained video modules and post-tests a week before the actual live discussions. An onboarding email was sent to all participants which included website passwords, post-test and Zoom links for each live discussion session. There were a total 55 registrants, 28 of whom are registered nurses. Each session had an assigned facilitator and a Zoom host from The Ruth Foundation. Institutions represented by the participants are as follows; Ospital ng Makati, Dalta Jonelta Foundation, Perpetual Medical Center, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, Batangas Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu and Ospital ng Muntinlupa. This course had a total of 8 speakers, 6 facilitators, 2 Zoom hosts, 1 coordinator, 2 guests from Security Bank Corporation and evaluators from TRF's course partner, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute.
February 15:
The first live session began with welcoming remarks by The Ruth Foundation’s President, Dr. Corvera. There was a recap of the Palliative Care Nursing and Communication modules by Nurse Cajucom and Dr. Mendoza, respectively. The participants were then engaged in case study discussion through break out groups. Instructions were given on how each facilitated session would flow. The participants discussed the case in break out rooms, and went back to the plenary to discuss their consolidated answers.
February 17:
This session was started with a recap of the previous session by Dr. Mendoza. There was a quick recap of the Ethical, Legal, Spiritual and Cultural modules by Dr. Joson and Dr. Tan, respectively. Dr. Joson opted for an interactive Q&A portion, calling out participants as they shared their consolidated break out session answers about the case given using the Four- box method of ethics. Dr. Tan had the participants take a self-assessment on cultural awareness. Their answers were discussed during their breakout session and also during the plenary session.
February 18:
This session was started with a recap of the previous session by Dr. Mendoza. There was a quick recap of the Pain assessment and management module by Dr. Ofina. Dr. Ofina opted to share additional information, namely, the pain ladder and the expressions of pain. Guide questions were then given to the participants to answer the case study presented. Their answers were discussed during their breakout session and also during the plenary session.
February 21:
This session was started with a recap of the previous session by Dr. Mendoza. There was a quick recap of the Symptom Management module by Dr. Pedro. Instead of breakout sessions, the organizers opted to use the plenary session interactively by using the wheel of names to call on the participants and Zoom Reactions. A case was discussed and each participant called randomly had the chance to answer the guide questions. Some participants opted to share experiences that they’ve gone through too.
February 23:
This session was started with a recap of the previous session by Dr. Mendoza. There was a quick recap of the Loss, Grief and Bereavement module by Dr. Corvera. Instead of breakout sessions, the organizers opted to use the plenary session interactively by using Zoom Reactions for answering therapeutic and non-therapeutic statements. Dr. Corvera held a quick Q&A portion and also held a Loss Exercise, wherein the participants had shared their experiences on gauging their emotions and some even shared their loss. Self-care assessment was also done that day. The participants responded by sharing that they should prioritize self-care in order for them to be effective in rendering palliative care.
February 25:
This session was started with a recap of the previous session by Dr. Mendoza. There was a quick recap of the Final Hours module by Dr. Raymundo. Instead of breakout sessions, the organizers opted to use the plenary session interactively by using Wheel of Names for answering the guide questions related to the case discussion. The participants were very active to ask questions on how to deal with their palliative patients. Blessing of hands was shared by Dr. Rana Mendoza as a closing ritual for the course.