Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (PDOC) Observers Course for HCA, Carers and Rehabilitation assistants

Wednesday 31 January

Online via Zoom

This course has been designed to meet the minimum requirements for experience and training of “PDOC observers” for individuals in a Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness (PDOC) as detailed in the RCP guidelines 2020. In recognition of the important role of HCA’s, rehabilitation, and care assistants this course aims to increase knowledge and confidence when working with individuals in a PDOC.

The learning is interactive and does not assume any knowledge about PDOC, but equally utilises any experience that some delegates may have. The focus of learning is on individuals in vegetative state and minimally conscious state and enhancing skills in observation of responses and the identification of factors which might impact of the individual’s ability to respond. The delegate will understand and recognise behaviours that are significant to report and learn how to record these objectively.

This course will provide a framework and tools that can be adapted to any caring environment and addresses observation, approach, facilitation of responses and environmental issues. The aim is to create optimum conditions for the individual to respond and for carers to confidently recognise when changes are occurring.

Learning objectives – by the end of this course delegates will be able to:

• Discuss the key features and differences between vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and emergence from MCS.
• Describe the process of observation, and the different categories of responses in PDOC.
• State the key aspects of a good approach to the individual when providing care and support.
• Identify the influences of the environment on an individual’s response and how to create an optimum environment.
• Understand how to encourage responses in everyday care.
• Objectively document responses at rest and within activity

This course is suitable for:

HCA’s, care assistants, nursing assistants, 1:1 carers and support staff

Lead Facilitators

Helen Gill-Thwaites MBE and Dr Karen Elliott, SMART Developers & Consultants

Cost: £180
Register Here

For more information, please call 020 8780 4500 ext 5141 or institute@rhn.org.uk