Healthcare Professionals

  • Regional hospice and palliative care networks worldwide

    This scoping review by Röwer and colleagues (2024) analyzed international literature on regional hospice and palliative care networks (RHPCNs) to identify structures, outcomes, benefits, success factors, and good practices. The study found that RHPCNs self-identify as local stakeholders, employ coordination offices, and actively recruit network partners. Outcomes included improved professional Continue reading →

  • Supporting the Journey Home: The Process of Co-designing an Education Program to Strengthen Palliative Care Capacity in First Nations Communities

    In Ontario, Canada, a study aimed to improve home-based palliative care in First Nations communities by incorporating an early palliative care approach for community health-related workers. The CAPACITI curriculum was tested with 12 First Nations healthcare providers, who co-designed an education program that reflected their values and culture. The program, Continue reading →

  • HPCO2024: Conference Summary

    Our annual Conference, HPCO2024, occurred on June 9-11, 2024.  This sold-out event welcomed over 800 delegates from across Ontario.  We also welcomed delegates from across Canada and from the United Kingdom. The 2024 conference theme was Palliative Care Everywhere. Building on the 2023 conference theme of Now is the Time, Palliative Continue reading →

  • 2024 Dr. S. Lawrence Librach Award for Palliative Medicine in the Community: Dr. Naheed Dosani

    The recipient of the 2024 Dr. S. Lawrence Librach Award for Palliative Medicine in the Community is Dr. Naheed Dosani. Dr. Naheed Dosani is a Palliative Care Physician at the department of Family and Community Medicine through St. Michael’s Hospital, the Medical Director and Clinical Health Equity Lead at Kensington Continue reading →

  • The Impact of Climate Change on Hospice and Palliative Medicine

    Climate-related extreme weather events are expected to increase demand for hospice and palliative care due to rising respiratory illnesses, heat-related issues, waterborne diseases, and aggravated chronic conditions. Harris and colleagues (2024) conducted a literature review to understand the existing literature of climate change’s impact on hospice and palliative medicine.  Twenty Continue reading →

  • Palliative End-of-Life Medication Prescribing Rates in Long-Term Care

    A recent study by Tanuseputro and colleagues (2024) examined the prescribing rates of subcutaneous medications for end-of-life symptom control among residents who died in long-term care homes in Ontario. The findings demonstrated that about two-thirds of the residents received medications in order to manage their pain or other symptoms in Continue reading →

  • Screening for End-of-Life in Acute Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Survey

    A recent study conducted by To and colleagues (2024) examined two screening tools – Indicators for a Palliative Approach and the Surprise Question – to determine if they were accurate in predicting which patients were at higher risk of dying in the next year. The cross-sectional study revealed that the Continue reading →

  • A Critical Examination of Ethnocultural Considerations in the Canadian Volunteer Hospice Palliative Care Landscape

    A recent study conducted in Southwestern Ontario by Cait and colleagues (2024), attempted to explore the impact of social, ethnic and demographic changes to understand how this may affect volunteer recruitment, and representation. The research team interviewed volunteers, community members and staff to determine the differences of cultural views on Continue reading →

  • Grief Training in Palliative Care Fellowships

    Grief and bereavement is an important part of palliative care, not only for patients but also physicians and other service providers. In a recent study conducted by Barlow and colleagues (2024), the curricula in Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship programs were explored. It was discovered that 90% of the programs Continue reading →

  • Investigating Trial Feasibility of Music Care in Hospice and Palliative Care

    Music care is an approach to care that provides the means for anyone, regardless of their musical credentials, to use music in their day-to-day care of patients. It is distinct from music therapy which is provided by an individual with specific training in music therapy. A recent pilot study conducted Continue reading →