Balsam Training Package
- Background and Description
As part of Balsam’s mission to enhance palliative care capacity in Lebanon and the region, we
are offering a structured one-week training program for healthcare workers interested in
community-based palliative care. This program provides a focused exposure to the daily
operations of Balsam’s home-based palliative care service, its interdisciplinary approach, and its
core standards of patient-centered care.
If you would like to apply, please send us an email with your details to lcpcbalsam@gmail.com.
During this week, trainees will complete one online training module on palliative care*, attend
one Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meeting, participate in at least five home visits alongside
nursing and medical staff, and gain access to relevant documentation forms used in patient care.
At the end of the week, trainees will present a cased-based clinical review and attend a one-hour
debriefing meeting with the Medical Director and the Operational Manager to assess their
experience and address any questions that arise during their observations.
This training aims to offer learners meaningful insight into how community palliative care is
delivered while ensuring that patient safety, privacy, and care quality remain uncompromised.
- Regarding the online training module, participants are required to:
-log in to: https://www.capc.org/training/ (username and password will be provided at the beginning of the training) - Complete 4 courses:
- Introduction to palliative care – Communication skills – Symptom management – Pain management: Modules 4 and 5 only
2. Learning Objectives
By the end of the training week, the trainee will be able to:
- Understand the structure and function of an interdisciplinary palliative care team,
including roles, workflows, and decision-making processes. - Observe the principles of home-based palliative care, including symptom assessment,
communication strategies, goals of care discussions and family support. - Understand how palliative care approach differs from traditional medical approach
and the added value that has for patients. - Recognize the importance of accurate documentation, learn the structure of Balsam’s
clinical forms, and understand how documentation supports continuity and quality of
care - Gain insight into operational processes, including coordination of care, triaging,
scheduling, and resource allocation in a home-based palliative care model. - Identify core competencies in palliative care practice, including professionalism,
patient-centered communication, ethical considerations, and compassionate presence.
3. Duties and Responsibilities of the Trainee
Given the short duration of the rotation, to protect patients, families, and the integrity of
Balsam’s clinical work, all trainees must adhere to the following guidelines:
a. Observer Role
– The trainee’s role throughout the week is strictly observational.
– They may not perform any clinical tasks, provide medical advice, conduct assessments,
or intervene in any part of the patient encounter.
-Questions related to clinical or operational matters should be asked before or after the
patient encounter and not during the visit.
b. Respect for Patient Confidentiality
– Trainees must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all patient information they are
exposed to during the training.
– They are required to sign Balsam’s confidentiality agreement before starting the program.
– No patient information may be recorded, copied, or shared in any format.
c. Professional Conduct
– Trainees must follow Balsam’s professional standards, respect team workflows, and be
punctual and prepared for all scheduled activities.
– Appropriate behavior and respectful communication with patients, families, and staff are
expected at all times.
d. Participation Requirements
– Attend one IDT meeting during the week.
– Accompany a member of the medical team for at least five home visits.
– Complete one online training module.
– Complete a written case review/discussion of one case observed during the week.
– Review and familiarize themselves with Balsam’s documentation forms.
– Attend a one-hour closing discussion with the president of Balsam’s board