Patient care focuses on supporting the physical and emotional well-being of people during treatment, emphasizing empathy alongside clinical knowledge. This approach asks “what matters to you?” and uses that insight to personalize care plans, helping patients feel respected and more engaged in their treatment.
If you’re new to the field, start with Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us and Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students. You can also try the free EMT Foundations course from the University of Colorado System.
For a structured path, consider Become an EMT, Newborn Baby Care, or Palliative Care: It's Not Just Hospice Anymore. These multi-course programs from leading universities help you progress from fundamentals to applied skills.
Patient care courses on Coursera are designed to enhance your ability to provide compassionate and effective care:
No. This catalog includes introductory courses for beginners, as well as intermediate and advanced options for learners with clinical or caregiving experience. You can choose a level that fits your background and progress as your skills grow.
Yes. Courses combine video lectures, assignments, and community discussion, with opportunities for live engagement to help you practice interpersonal and communication skills. You’ll learn from institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Colorado System.
You’ll learn from leading institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Colorado System, University of Michigan, Yale University, Stanford University, and more. Their offerings include courses like Vital Signs, PrEP for Providers and Patients, and Become an EMT.