An exchange of knowledge, experience, and expertise. The new CHCA Palliative Care ECHO Hub invites home care providers and palliative care specialists to participate in a series of facilitated sessions addressing the identified gaps and challenges in home-based palliative care. Using the Project ECHO philosophy of ‘moving knowledge rather than people in order to increase access to best practices and reduce geographical health disparities’, the CHCA Palliative Care ECHO Hub will improve the ability of local health care teams to provide better palliative care at home.

Working in partnership with Pallium Canada, as part of the Palliative Care ECHO Project, the CHCA Palliative Care ECHO Hub will:

  • Enhance frontline providers’ knowledge and skills so they can deliver high-quality palliative care.
  • Improve patient/caregiver satisfaction with home-based palliative care by introducing ways to support them through their course of illness.
  • Address operational gaps in home-based palliative care and promote innovative models across the country.

2024 Home-Based Palliative Care ECHO Series

Unpacking the Principles of a Palliative Approach to Care

How can you transform care with a holistic model that addresses patients’ needs throughout their illness, not just end-of-life?

Based on the Canadian Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Competency Framework, our 2024 ECHO series will highlight and explore the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to deliver a palliative approach to care.  Topics cover the foundational philosophy of palliative care, identification of patients who could benefit from this approach, the role of the interdisciplinary team, and strategies to address barriers to care, thereby reinforcing the standards for excellence in palliative care delivery.

LEARN MORE

The Philosophy of Palliative Care and a Palliative Approach
(April 10, 2024 / 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET )

In this ECHO session, you’ll learn how adopting a palliative approach enhances illness management, not just at life’s end, but from diagnosis. You’ll see how addressing physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs through integrated, holistic care can significantly improve quality of life for patients and their families. A case study will showcase a home care team’s successful application of this approach in care planning, demonstrating the impact of effective communication, decision-making, and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Subject Matter Experts:

Teaching Presentation –  Nadine Valk, Instructor, Mindfulness Informed End-of-Life Care Program
Case Study Discussion Lead – Deborah Francis, Advanced Practice Leader for palliative care, SE Health

Registration Open

LEARN MORE

Identifying People who Would Benefit from a Palliative Approach
May 2024 / 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET

In our ECHO session, you’ll discover how early identification for palliative care changes lives and deaths by ensuring comprehensive care for those with life-limiting conditions. You’ll learn to initiate crucial conversations on symptom management, advance care planning, and understanding patient values and culture. This approach enhanced team-based care by addressing current and future needs. A case study will highlight a program that successfully identifies candidates for this transformative care approach.

Subject Matter Experts:

Teaching Presentation – TBC
Case Study Discussion Lead – TBC

Registration coming soon

LEARN MORE

Understanding the Interdisciplinary Team
June 2024 / 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET

In this ECHO session, you’ll learn how a multidisciplinary team approach, rooted in collaboration and mutual respect, elevates palliative care to holistic, patient-centered excellence. By leveraging diverse expertise, the team crafts care plans aligned with patient values, enhancing quality of life and symptom management. A case study will illustrate how this approach leads to better outcomes and experiences for patients and their families, showcasing the power of effective teamwork in a palliative approach to care.

Subject Matter Experts:

Teaching Presentation – TBC
Case Study Discussion Lead – TBC

Registration coming soon

Join the CHCA Palliative Care ECHO Hub Community

The CHCA ECHO Hub Community provides resources to reinforce the Learning Session content and share knowledge with your team.

Self-directed microlearning to enhance your knowledge and skills

Evidence-informed practices and research articles to inform your practice

On-demand video of the Learning Session to reinforce your learning experience

Subject Matter Experts’ content slides to share with your team members

PAST ECHO SESSIONS

Access the On-Demand Video and other Resources for all Sessions on the ECHO Hub Community

2023 ECHO Series

Essential Skills for Palliative Care

A series on the skills, knowledge and attitude within the Canadian Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Competency Framework

– Cultural Safety and Humility: Creating Safe Spaces for People with Life-Limiting Illness
– Self-Care: Caring for Yourself When You Care for Others
– Communication: Engaging with Families in Conversations about Serious Illness
– Care Planning and Collaborative Practice—Bridging the Transition Gap: Essential Skills and Strategies
– Virtual Care—Evolving Care: Virtual Skills and Strategies

2022 ECHO Series

Be Prepared: Palliative Care Emergences in the Home

Learning sessions and resources to identify and manage palliative care emergencies in the home setting.

-Breathing (Dyspnea): Signs, Symptoms and Responses
-Balance (Hypercalcemia): Signs, Symptoms and Responses
-Blockages (Spinal Cord and SVC): Signs, Symptoms and Responses
-Bleeding (Hemorrhage): Signs, Symptoms and Responses

2021 ECHO Series

Communication

Learning sessions and resources for effective and efficient communication and shared decision-making.

-Guiding Conversations with Patients and Caregivers: Using Emotional Intelligence Skills
-Recognizing Palliative Care Emergencies in the Home
-Whole Community Palliative Rounds: Interdisciplinary Communication

Palliative Care ECHO Project

The Palliative Care ECHO Project is a 5-year national initiative that supports the creation of communities of practice, supporting continuous professional development among health care providers across Canada who care for patients with life-limiting illness. Led by Pallium Canada and partners from across Canada, the Project will deliver a continuous learning journey for health care providers to build local capacity to provide a palliative care approach to patients and their families. The Palliative Care ECHO Project is supported by a financial contribution from Health Canada.

This post is also available in: French