EAPC task force on education for psychologists (2011)

As a result of our Taskforce activities, a paper titled “The EAPC Task Force on Education for Psychologists in Palliative Care” has been published in the April 2011 issue of the European Journal of Palliative Care. This article provides important information on the situation of psychologists involved with palliative care, as well as on the background for the setting up of this task force. Click here to download a free pdf version of the paper. 
Based on the state of affairs highlighted in this paper, an outline for guidance on postgraduate education for psychologists in palliative care was created. Our Taskforce members were invited to give input to this guidance document with their expertise and their professional experience, and all co-authors supported the paper actively with their contribution. Click here to download a free pdf version of the paper. 

Outlook 

Since the very beginning of this initiative, there had been an overwhelming response from psychologists from all over Europe who offered their support and made valuable contributions and suggestions for our activities. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this response. 

The unexpectedly large response to our Taskforce activities has highlighted the demand for an international initiative for psychologists working in palliative care. The results of our Europe-wide survey have shown that despite the large number of psychologists working in this field there is a perception that the impact of psychological issues in palliative care and the role of psychologists in palliative care teams to date are not sufficiently acknowledged. 
We invite all those who wish to commit themselves to the improvement of education and support for psychologists in palliative care in Europe to follow up our activities and to carry on the work with specific goals. It is possible to make an application for a new Taskforce to the European Association for Palliative Care. 
   
Acknowledgements 

We would like to thank all our members for their encouraging and inspiring support during the period of our activities. We would like to express our special thanks to all co-authors who have contributed to the EAPC Expert Paper “Guidance on Postgraduate Education for Psychologists involved in Palliative Care”. Last but not least we would like to thank Eva Eggenberger and Anthony Greenwood for their commitment and for their support of the Europe-wide survey among psychologists working in palliative care. 

Partners     

• ANTEA http://www.antea.net/ 
• International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) www.ipos-society.org/ 
• European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) www.efpa.eu/ 

We thank the British Psychological Association (http://www.bps.org.uk/) for awarding this Task Force with a grant of £2.000 each year in travel expenses for a period of 2 years