What is EPEC-Pediatrics EPEC (Education Palliative End of Life Care) for Pediatrics is the most comprehensive curriculum for Pediatrics Pain Medicine and Palliative Care in the world, developed by the University of California San Francisco.

For the first time, a top-class education program will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, making it more accessible to professionals in the country. Nadace rodiny Vlčkových is playing a crucial role as a host and organizer of the event. Bringing top-level education to the Czech Republic and connecting Czech experts with the best experts from around the world is one of our key long-term goals. The foundation is happy to provide funding for the event as part of its commitment to achieving this goal. 

Who is EPEC-Pedicatrics for? 

EPEC-Pediatrics is a program specifically designed to meet the needs of all professionals who are involved in the care of children suffering from serious illnesses and their families. The program’s content and structure are formulated in a precise manner to benefit various professionals from the field of Pediatric Palliative Care, including doctors, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychotherapists, educators, spiritual care providers, and others who work with seriously ill children. It is divided into three different levels. Nadace rodiny Vlčkových supports Czech professionals in all three levels.

The largest education event will be held in Prague this June and will offer Level 1 and Level 2:

1) June 3-5, Level 1: Pediatric Pain & Palliative Care Symposium is a three-day conference-style course for professionals working in multidisciplinary pediatric palliative care teams, academics and members of the professional public with an interest in the topic. Participants will gain the knowledge needed to provide specialist palliative care to pediatric patients and their families.

2) June 6-7, Level 2: EPEC-Pediatrics Train-the-trainer Conference is a program designed for professionals in Children’s Palliative Care who aspire to become leaders in the field both in the Czech Republic and internationally, and who wish to teach other professionals as well. Through interactive and intensive group work, they will learn how to teach pediatric palliative care in their region.

What will you learn and how? 

The symposium and conference are based on 24 modules that reflect the topics and principles of  Pediatric Palliative Care valid globally. It is led by world’s top leaders in Palliative Care with experience from various cultures, nations and different fields of children’s Palliative Care. The education is highly practical and based on workshops, accompanied by lectures, interesting case studies, and simulations that help train participants on the spot. All participants will be divided into smaller groups to facilitate discussions, share their experiences, and address them in the groups. 

After completing the EPEC-Pediatrics curriculum  

This unique educational program offers a wide range of benefits to your daily practice and professional career. The program will equip you with new knowledge and skills that can be readily applied in your daily practice. Successful completion of the program will earn you a prestigious certification, making you one of the only 100 regional experts in the 24 EPEC-Pediatrics modules in the Czech Republic. You will have the opportunity to share your expertise with others, thus facilitating the implementation of the acquired skills in both your current and future professional engagements.

The program also offers you a broader understanding of Children’s Palliative Care in contexts beyond your current field and profession, enabling you to deliver better family-centered care to your clients. Additionally, the program provides you with the opportunity to become part of a larger community and engage in networking activities at both national and international levels, fostering professional relationships and collaborations that can further enhance your career prospects.  

By completing the EPEC-Pediatrics Level 2 Diploma, you will be certified as a trainer capable of teaching other professionals about Children’s Palliative Care. You will receive a complete trainer package, which includes 22 PowerPoint presentations in English, Spanish, and French, as well as a comprehensive teaching handbook for each module designed to teach PPC to interdisciplinary teams. The package also contains trigger videos. Additionally, you’ll remain a part of the EPEC-Pediatrics community and will have direct access to EPEC-Pediatrics Level 3 trainers, as well as the opportunity for consultancy. 

The official language is English.

The course will be accredited within the framework of continuing medical education. The event is organized under the auspices of the President of the Czech Medical Chamber Dr. Milan Kubek, Czech Pediatric Society and Czech Society for Palliative Medicine.