PALPRAC

Optimising Cancer Pain Management: A Guide to using Non-Morphine Opioids

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Short course

Course type

2 hours

Study time

Online

Mode of learning

3 CPD points

3 Clinical
(70% average required)

Course overview

Welcome to the How to Use Non-Morphine Opioids in Cancer-Related Pain course!


Managing pain and alleviating distress for patients with serious illnesses, such as cancer, is a fundamental skill for all healthcare providers. This focused course is designed to provide you with the skill of safely and effectively prescribing opioids other than morphine for patients receiving palliative care. Each course module will guide you toward specific learning outcomes, ensuring you build confidence and competence in this key area. By the end of this course, you’ll be better prepared to contribute to the effective management of palliative care patients.
This course focuses on various aspects of using non-morphine opioids; please keep in mind that it does not aim to cover the full assessment or management of cancer-related pain.
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Who is this course for?

South African Doctors, Interns, Nurses and Pharmacists

Required qualification

The necessary healthcare qualifications for doctors, nurses and pharmacists (or students of these)

Course level

This course is aimed at a Beginner-Intermediate Level. 

Develop your professional skills

Why choose this course?

The Learning Objectives of this course include being able to:

  1. Discuss the importance of opioids in managing cancer pain.
  2. Explain opioids’ basic mechanism of action.
  3. Describe the indications for non-morphine opioids in cancer pain.
  4. List the core characteristics of oxycodone, fentanyl, and buprenorphine. 
  5. Select an opioid based on patient characteristics. 
  6. Explain the concept of opioid rotation.
  7. Prescribe opioids other than morphine accurately.
  8. Describe the dosing concerns when prescribing non-morphine opioids.
  9. Discuss the management of common opioid-induced side effects.

About the academic institution

PALPRAC is a national network of healthcare professionals dedicated to improving quality of life for people living with serious illness. Founded in 2018, we bring together doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to deliver compassionate, person-centred palliative care across South Africa. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we equip multidisciplinary teams to relieve suffering, support dignity, and honour what matters most to patients and their families. We support healthcare professionals to be change agents in their own settings, and we engage with the wider health system to drive the changes needed to ensure everyone has access to quality palliative care. All healthcare professionals are welcome to join, with membership options to suit every role and level of experience.

Over 300 members

Various healthcare providers 

Spread across South Africa

PALPRAC contact info

  info@palprac.org

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Course Lessons

  • Certificate included

    Upon successful completion of this course - including achieving a minimum score of 70% in the assessment(s), as required by the HPCSA - you will receive a certificate of completion from PALPRAC, a name synonymous with excellence in professional development.

 

Course developer

Clinical Radiation Oncologist
Dr Elré van Heerden
Dr. Elré van Heerden is a clinical radiation oncologist with extensive experience in oncology and a strong academic foundation in palliative care and pain management. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Palliative Medicine (UCT), a Master’s in Clinical Pain Management (University of Edinburgh), and a Master’s in Philosophy (Stellenbosch University).

With a deep commitment to person-centred care, Dr. van Heerden integrates oncological expertise with palliative principles to enhance the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. She currently consults at the Outeniqua Cancercare Unit in George, focusing on breast and gynaecological malignancies, while also coordinating care for patients living with serious illness. Her work bridges disease-directed and symptom-focused approaches to ensure that treatment aligns with patient values and goals.
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Available on mobile and web

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