The process of developing Core Competencies is a dynamic one that relies on the knowledge and experience in the doula community. This list is in no way meant to be exhaustive of everything that goes into EOLD work; rather, it is a starting point in identifying the most critical areas of knowledge and skill. We invite you to provide feedback to help us improve content as we find our way in this burgeoning and exciting field, with an eye to providing consistent, quality standards for all EOLDs now and in the future.

To help doulas prepare for the Proficiency Badge Assessment, we have developed several materials that are free for download. Click on each title to download:

• Study Guide — designed for doulas who wish to know what will be covered on the assessment, and for trainers to integrate into their own teaching syllabus. 
• Selected Medicare Conditions of Participation — CoPs are guidelines for hospices to follow in order to receive Medicare coverage for patients on service. Although they do not apply directly to EOLDs who are not currently eligible to be paid by Medicare through hospices for doula services, we believe that doulas will benefit from knowing more about the hospice system.
• Sample Patient Bill of Rights for EOLDs — The Affordable Care Act mandates that each medical business or discipline provide its patients with a Patient's Bill of Rights. There is none standard; it is up to each business to design its own within certain guidelines. We have developed this bill of rights for use by doulas who wish to add it to their informational materials. It is voluntary, not required. 

We suggest that end-of-life doula trainers explain NEDA's mission to their students and make the above and below documents available to them. There are many EOLD training organizations throughout the US that all have their individual strengths, philosophies, and teaching styles. No one organization is the definitive source. Students will want to know that they are well prepared to become an EOLD, and those already in practice may want to see if there are gaps in their understanding about what an EOLD is and does. We anticipate that as more hospice and palliative care organizations become aware of what EOLDs are and do, they will want to know that EOLDs possess a certain body of knowledge and skills. The purpose of NEDA is to be a neutral group of doulas and educators who have come to consensus on the definition of an EOLD. As a trainer, please help us by educating your students, spreading the word about the work of NEDA, and sharing your thoughts with us.

End-of-Life Doula Competencies Chart