'Become an EPEC Trainer' conferences:
EPEC Trainers are certified after completion of a 'Become an EPEC Trainer' conference. These conferences are produced with direct oversight by The EPEC Project and sometimes in cooperation with co-sponsoring institutions. Prior to the conference, Trainer candidates provide background information, a letter of support, as well as a teaching plan to be applied after conference completion. The EPEC Project uses only qualified Master Facilitators in the teaching of the EPEC Curriculum and emphasizes effective adult educational strategies throughout the conference. 'Become an EPEC Trainer' conferences discuss both the principles of palliative care as well as effective teaching approaches for dissemination.
‘Become an EPEC-[specialty] Trainer’ conferences:
The EPEC Project continues to adapt its curriculum for specialties including Geriatrics, Oncology, and Emergency Medicine. Conferences using these materials are produced by The EPEC Project in cooperation with the specialty of origin. EPEC-[specialty] Trainer certification requires successful completion of the ‘Become an EPEC-[specialty] Trainer’ conference. For example, to become an EPEC-Oncology Trainer, one must first complete the ‘Become an EPEC-Oncology Trainer’ conference. As with other EPEC conferences, attendees provide a letter of support and a teaching plan for post training use. Final approval of certification is the responsibility of The EPEC Project.
‘Professional Development Workshop: Best Practices in Teaching’
Through the ‘Professional Development Workshop: Best Practices in Teaching’, EPEC Trainers have the opportunity to advance their teaching skills and become candidate EPEC Master Facilitators. Using palliative care as a context, participants learn strategies for effective teaching and leadership. Based on adult learning theory, participants learn and practice a variety of effective presentation and educational models, learn how to use visual aids to enhance understanding, and cultivate leadership and group process skills. Participants with aptitude may then be invited to take the next steps toward becoming a Master Facilitator by co-facilitating with an existing Master Facilitator on during two conferences of The EPEC Project. The EPEC Project bestows Master Facilitator standing on the basis of merit and availability.
EPEC ‘End-Learner’ Conferences, Education, and Online Learning:
The EPEC Curriculum combines didactic sessions, videotape
presentations, interactive discussions, and practical exercises.
It teaches fundamental palliative care skills in communication,
ethical decision-making, psychosocial considerations, and symptom
management. The materials and their take-home messages can be easily
adapted to teach interdisciplinary audiences.
The EPEC Curriculum in its entirety or in part may be used at any time for educational purposes. It may be used for any audience and any venue providing it is used for non-profit purposes with proper attribution. Institutions and other groups, including medical and professional societies, caregiver groups, or individuals may utilize the curriculum materials. Updated curriculum materials as well as trigger tapes are available for purchase here. In addition, previous editions of EPEC materials are always accessible at no cost through our website.
Certified EPEC Trainers who participated in a ‘Become an EPEC Trainer’ conference are qualified and encouraged to participate in teaching the EPEC Curriculum. The EPEC core faculty and staff are available for consultation regarding the production of conferences. Such consultation may include pre-conference planning, strategies for success, as well as identification and development of tools to encourage desired outcome measures. For regional and national lists of certified EPEC Trainers, please contact The EPEC Project at info@epec.net.
EPEC’s specialty materials, such as EPEC-Oncology and EPEC-Geriatrics, are available for authorized presentation through special agreement with the developers of these materials. Please contact The EPEC Project for information regarding their use. Production of conferences utilizing these materials requires proper acknowledgement. Other than those specified by the specialty partner, there are no restrictions by The EPEC Project on the distribution of materials, choice of instructor, or restriction of attendees. Additional adaptations of the EPEC Curriculum, such as that for Roman Catholics or The APPEAL Project, adapted by and for the African-American community, are also available.
Online learning: EPEC web based products
The EPEC Curriculum is available in a online learning format. The online EPEC Curriculum is presented in seventeen modular topics, and each module meets Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements. Participants complete each topic’s post-test and evaluation, and, upon passing the test, an instant certificate for CME is issued. EPEC online learning modules may be used as a supplement to other EPEC materials or as a refresher on the core skills of palliative care.
EPEC ‘End-Learners’
EPEC ‘End-Learners’ are those who utilize The EPEC Curriculum, whether through trainings led by EPEC Trainers or via the internet. ‘End-Learners’ are encouraged to use The EPEC Curriculum, however they are not certified EPEC Trainers, as they have not completed the institutional ‘Become an EPEC Trainer’ conference for Trainer certification.
