Hospice Palliative Care Professionals and the Role they play. |
The provision of quality palliative care and end-of-life support is beneficial to all patients with life-limiting illnesses regardless of their age. Health care professionals provide services to individuals at different stages of their respective conditions, depending on their specialty and practice setting. The focus of palliative care is on the patient and their primary caregivers and in some cases their community. As a result, health care professionals are required to possess the necessary skills and knowledge in order to provide quality end-of-life care. Many "health care professionals" provide hospice palliative care services, including general practitioners, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health professionals, social workers, psychologists and physiotherapists. As part of the circle of care, hospice palliative care is also provided by specialty trained hospice volunteers, chaplains, spiritual healers, elders, etc. It is possible for a health professional to specialize in palliative care full-time and be part of a palliative care team, while others integrate palliative approaches to care on a daily basis. |
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In hospice palliative care, a team-based, multidisciplinary approach is used to provide end-of-life care, including grief and bereavement supports to individuals and their primary caregivers. |
A palliative care team may consist of a variety of healthcare professionals. Involvement of these professionals will be dependent on the needs of the individual receiving care, as well as the support of the family. Health care professionals provide support to families and individuals in a variety of settings, including; in hospice, at home, in hospital, and virtual care. |
Training and Continuing Education
What training and continuing education opportunities and resources are available for hospice and palliative care providers?
In the resource provided below, BCHPCA has compiled a list of academic, institutional, private, and non-profit organizations that host continuing education and professional development programs. Professionals are encouraged to contact their colleges or professional associations, such as the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians and the Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association, for further training opportunities.
Organizations such as the Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children is also a wonderful resource as they host the Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium biennial ahead of the CHPCA Conference to provide a professional development and learning opportunity for palliative care providers supporting children and families.
BCHPCA and BC Centre for Palliative Care (BC-CPC) host numerous events, workshops, webinars, conferences, resources, best practices training and education programs to support continual education opportunities for the Hospice and Palliative Care sector.
Additional education and training resources:
Self-care for health professionals
Caring for people as they near the end of life is demanding and challenging. Organizations such as Canadian Virtual Hospice have curated a Learning Hub for Health Professionals that covers this topic. The self-care resources have been designed to meet the needs of health care professionals, knowing that you have limited time and need resources that you can use as and when you need them.Resources & Support
- The Canadian Interdisciplinary Palliative care competency framework
- Collaborative Action Plan for Accessible, Appropriate and Equitable Grief and Bereavement Support in BC
- CIHI's Access to Palliative Care in Canada 2023 Report
- Canadian Cancer Society's "Analyzing Hospice Palliative Care Across Canada" Report
- The Provincial End-of-Life Care Action Plan for BC
- Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Resources
About the associationBCHPCA represents its members: individuals and organizations that deliver hospice/palliative care and bereavement services and programs across British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. | Contact usEmail: office@bchpca.org Unit 1100- 1200 West 73rd Ave, | Stay InTouchKeep up to date on upcoming events and recent job postings |
The BC Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA) recognizes the traditional land of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who have walked before us and minded the lands we now call home for time immemorial. Hospice Societies have been able to support, aid and care for many people on these same lands. The BCHPCA Offices are located on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and TsleilWaututh Nations.
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