“The Competency Framework matters because it gives people a set of ideologies, skills and knowledge and defines really good care.”
Jennifer Gurke, Executive Director, Palliative Manitoba
“The Competency Framework matters because it gives people a set of ideologies, skills and knowledge and defines really good care.”
Jennifer Gurke,
Executive Director, Palliative Manitoba
An opportunity to strengthen practice
No one dies alone
Our volunteers are highly skilled and experienced with palliative care. Many of them function at the specialist level within several domains of the Framework. For instance, one of our volunteers developed a pilot program that provides a 24-hour vigil at the end of life for patients who have no family or friends. This initiative is offered in various facilities to individuals who are expected to live for 24 to 72 hours.
The Patient Dignity Question (PDQ)
“What do I need to know about you as a person to give you the best care possible?” is a key question developed by Dr. Harvey Chochinov, a leading authority on the emotional dimensions of end-of-life care. While this question assesses the level of dignity-related distress experienced by patients nearing the end of their lives, the PDQ could also be asked of everyone seeking health care. The information obtained can inform the development of individualized care plans that prioritize and respect the patient’s values and preferences. The Competency Framework reminds the patient’s circle of care—clinicians, volunteers and family—to reflect on what they need to know to provide the best possible care.
Providing the best possible care
The Competency Framework is now the basis of our teaching for our volunteers and for health care aides and volunteers in partner organizations. It reinforces the importance of collaboration and a team-based approach to achieving quality. By working together, we pool collective knowledge and experience, leading to better-informed decision-making, improved patient care and seamless transitions for patients between members of the care team.
At a policy level, all stakeholders need to work together to develop the specific palliative competencies for Manitoba, building on the national Competency Framework. While there will be similarities and linkages to the national competencies, a provincial resource will delve deeper into needs such as geography and diversity and will encompass the clinical and professional guidelines of the local regulating bodies.
Hadler, R.A., Goldshore, M., Rosa, W.E. et al. “What do I need to know about you?”: the Patient Dignity Question, age, and proximity to death among patients with cancer. Support Care Cancer 30, 5175–5186 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-06938-2sible?”
Palliative Manitoba was founded in 1983 as the Manitoba Hospice Foundation Inc., to respond to the need for better care for the dying in our community. The mission of Palliative Manitoba is to ease the suffering of the dying, the bereaved and caregivers through supportive services and education.
This project has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
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