April 3, 2026
Post-acute and long-term care is a specific area of practice, which means clinicians need a unique set of skills to excel. That’s why PALTmed created its new PALTessentials course: Navigating Clinical Practice. Featuring 16 interactive on-demand modules, along with valuable resources and tools, the self-paced course blends practical guidance with real-world application to prepare clinicians to deliver effective, patient-centered care in dynamic and challenging environments.
Julie Gammack, MD, FACP, CMD, chair of the workgroup responsible for developing the course, says the narrated course is modeled after the longer, now-retired Competencies Curriculum for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine program. “PALTessentials offers a more interactive learning experience, including pre- and post-course assessments, knowledge-check questions, links to reference materials, and case examples that highlight the key learning objectives,” she explains. “The curriculum is designed for all primary care and specialty clinicians who deliver care to residents in the PALTC continuum, and reflects PALTmed’s mission to support clinicians with education that is scientifically grounded, learner-focused, and genuinely useful in real-world practice.”
The course modules are divided into four domains:
- Systems of Care
- Medical Knowledge and Care Delivery
- Ethics, Communication, and Professionalism
- Pursuit of Excellence
“The modules are intentionally designed to stand on their own, allowing learners to start with the topics most relevant to their practice,” Dr. Gammack notes. “But for those who prefer a 'start to finish' structure, I recommend beginning with Domain 1.” She adds that the first module of Domain 1 is an introduction that will help participants develop a plan for navigating the course.
While the course is designed for any clinician who wants to deliver effective, evidence-based, and clinically compliant care in the PALTC setting, Dr. Gammack believes it’s foundational for those who are interested in exploring or learning more about practice in PALTC. She explains, “Students, residents, and geriatric fellows in training will find the course particularly beneficial in understanding and appreciating the career potential of PALTC practice. Clinicians new to PALTC will discover a different care-delivery framework that is not often emphasized in traditional medical training.”
Dr. Gammack notes that what makes this course truly unique is that it “recognizes the reality of PALTC practice. It doesn’t assume unlimited time, resources, or staffing. Instead, it offers approaches that are realistic, efficient, resident-centered, and supportive.”
Learn more and register for the course, which is $299 for members and $499 for non-members. Group pricing is available.