(BLACK PR WIRE) (February 4, 2009) ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A nationally recognized continuing education program that provides clinical training and insight into caring for African Americans near the end of life will be held Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, 2009, at the Spelman College, Johnetta B. Cole Living and Learning Center II Auditorium, 350 Spelman Lane SW, Atlanta, GA 30314.
Designed for those working with African American patients and families facing serious illness in hospitals, hospices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and office-based settings, APPEAL (A Progressive Palliative Care Educational Curriculum for the Care of African Americans at Life's End) will be conducted by the Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life and is sponsored locally by VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Atlanta.

Caring for African Americans near the end of life requires insight into traditions, culture and spirituality, says Paula Montoney, VITAS general manager. Participants will leave this training with increased palliative care knowledge and skills, as well as greater confidence and ability to communicate with African American patients and their families.

The one-and-a-half day program is open to physicians, nurses, social workers, medical chaplains and other clergy, psychologists, counselors, hospice and hospital administrators, pharmacists and family caregivers. Continuing education credits will be awarded.
APPEAL will provide information and education on:
• Death and dying in African American communities
• Comprehensive patient evaluation
• Quality end-of-life care
• Fundamentals of hospice care
• Culturally appropriate communication
• Pain treatment and racial disparities
• Spirituality and end-of-life care
• Patient-centered decision-making
Registration fees are $250 for physicians; $175 for all other healthcare and clergy-based providers; $50 for students, trainees and family caregivers; and $450 for interdisciplinary teams of three (one physician and two other healthcare/service providers, e.g., nurse, social worker, chaplain). The program fee includes an APPEAL training DVD, a CD with training materials, continuing education credits, all meals and parking.

To register or for more information, visit www.iceol.duke.edu, email iceol@div.duke.edu, or call 1-919-660-3553.

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care is one of the nations oldest and largest providers of end-of-life care. A pioneer and leader in the hospice movement since 1978, VITAS has been caring for the terminally ill and their families in Atlanta since 2004.