BLOCK A: September 21 – 10:00am
A1/B1 – Queering Palliative Care: 2SLGBTQIA+ Folks and How We Can Best Support Them and Their Loved Ones

The 2SLGBTQIA+ community experiences historic and present-day discrimination by the health care system. This is rooted in deep-seated homophobia, transphobia, and lack of support of diverse populations.  Our healthcare system rigidly defines gender, sexuality, family, and adapts slowly. I will give background information on the Queer experience of oppression in healthcare, identify mitigations for this oppression to break down the barriers and explore how health care staff can be enrolled as allies to support and nurture their queer co-citizens.

Wayne Sandler, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Palliative Manitoba

Please note this a 120 minute workshop and is continued into the next session.

A2 – Family Physicians Supporting Patients with Palliative Care Needs within the Patient Medical Home in the Community: An Appreciative Inquiry

Canadians want to live and die in their home communities. Unfortunately, Canada has the highest proportion of deaths in acute care facilities as compared with other developed nations. This study aims to identify the essential components required to best support patients and families with palliative care needs in their communities to inform system changes and empower family physicians (FPs) in providing community-based palliative care for patients.

Dr. Amy Tan, MSc(Pall Med), CCFP(PC), FCFP, Palliative Care & Family Physician

A3 – Psychedelics in Palliative Care: Clinical and Personal Perspectives

A review of the history and clinical evidence for psychedelic-assisted therapy for people with end of life psychological and spiritual suffering, with a personal perspective on the therapeutic use of psilocybin as well as training and advocacy for increased patient access.

Paul Daeninck, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Attending Medical Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba, Assistant Professor, Section of Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, WRHA Palliative Care Program

 

 
BLOCK B: September 21 – 11:15am
CONTINUED: A1/B1 – Queering Palliative Care: 2SLGBTQIA+ Folks and How We Can Best Support Them and Their Loved Ones

Please note this a 120 minute workshop and is continued from the precvious session.

Wayne Sandler, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Palliative Manitoba

B2 – Talking about Death in the Community and Communicating Care

This talk advocates for strong, clear, caring communication by healthcare professionals. Combining personal stories with vast research and classroom experience, Kathy takes participants through the range of skills and interactions that underpin effective communication.

Kathy Kortes-Miller, PhD, MSW, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Director, Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health, Lakehead University

B3 – Trauma Informed Practice in Palliative Care

Trauma-informed practice (TIP) acknowledges the lasting effects of trauma. This presentation explores sources and prevalence of trauma, as well as its effects on individuals and caregivers. We will discuss evidence in favour of advancing TIP within both organizations and palliative care delivery. Utilizing clinical examples from palliative care, we will examine real world strategies for providers to put in place to promote TIP within their own practice and organization.

Ashley Bowering, RN, BScH, BScN, MHE, Clinical Resource Nurse, Riverview Health Centre

Kayla Vanderwees, RN, BN, Clinical Resource Nurse, Riverview Health Centre

 

 
BLOCK C: September 21 – 1:15pm
C1 – What is the Meaning of Life…and Other Unhelpful Questions

Frustrated by cliches around hope and meaning? Feeling uncertain about what it all means and it makes us feel uncomfortable. Learn how meaning in life has changed throughout history and strategies to effectively navigate it in 2023. Explore how we can reframe common cliches to cultivate hope during challenging times.

Trevor Lehmann, Canadian Certified Counsellor, CCPA, University of Manitoba

C2 – Palliative Care at the Portage District General Hospital: A Retrospective Review of Inpatient Deaths in a Rural Community Hospital

This ongoing research is to review the circumstances around inpatient deaths at Portage District General Hospital (PDGH) and to determine the level of involvement with the palliative care program either prior or during their last admission to hospital.

Dr. Alyssa Delaquis, CCFP (PC), Family Physician, Portage Clinic

C3 – Help! My Palliative Care Patient is Allergic to Opioids

Opioid allergies are a common label on patient charts despite the fact that true opioid allergies are quite rare. Together we will refresh our knowledge on drug allergies, discuss how to tease out the difference between opioid side effects vs hypersensitivity reactions and what to do if a true anaphylactic/anaphylactoid opioid reaction is suspected.

Dr. Joanna Webb, Primary Care Physician, Crestview Medical Clinic 16, Physician / Consultant, WRHA Palliative Care Program

 
BLOCK D: September 22 – 10:00am
D1 – Paramedics Providing Palliative Care in The Home

In 2017 the IERHA was one of seven jurisdictions chosen across Canada to participate in a four-year
$6.5 million collaboration which involved creating tools, providing support and educating over 6000 paramedics enabling them to provide direct support to patients in their home who are requiring pain and symptom management or have an unexpected health event. This new model of care has been embedded in the work of East Zone Shared Health Paramedics and the IERHA Palliative Care Program.

Tammie-Lee Rogowski, RN, CHPCN, CCHN

Mike Todd, Advanced Care Paramedic, Shared Health

D2 – The Impact of COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions on the Health Care Team of a Palliative Care Unit

This presentation will highlight the results of a qualitative research study that explored the impact of visitor restrictions on the Palliative Care Team at Riverview Health Centre during the COVID19 Pandemic. Themes arising from semi-structured interviews with the interprofessional healthcare team will be shared, along with their suggestions for implementation of visitor restrictions in palliative care settings for the future.

Dr. Robin McClure, CCFP(PC), Physician Consultant, WRHA Palliative Care Program

Simone Stenekes, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Palliative Care Service – WRHA Palliative Care Program

Dr. Ahmad Khan, CCFP, Palliative Care Fellow

Rehana Durocher, BSc(Hons), BSc(Pharm), MEd

Pat Murphy, MEd, Retired Clinical Ethicist

D3 – Lung Cancer Management Overview for the Palliative Care

Malignancy is the leading cause of death in Canada, with lung cancer remaining a significant cause of cancer related death. Fortunately, there has been significant advancements in the treatment of lung cancer.  We will review clinical cases to illustrate the options of treatment which may allow patients to live longer, and with improved symptoms. We will discuss how prognosis between patients with lung cancer may vary and highlight some of the molecular findings that may help in determining prognosis. The conclusion of this presentation should lead participants to appreciate scenarios where particular patients are more likely to benefit from treatment.

Dr. James T. Paul, MSc, FRCPC, Medical Oncologist & Assistant Professor CancerCare Manitoba & University of Manitoba

 
BLOCK E: September 22 – 11:15am
E1 – The Early Palliative Care Team: Engaging Providers in a Nurse-Led Specialty Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic

This session will describe the specialist early palliative care approach being used at CancerCare Manitoba. Our model is designed to circumvent known barriers to early palliative care and promote a truly patient-centered approach to care for patients with advanced cancer. It encourages and supports generalist palliative education and meaningful team engagement of multiple providers to remain involved in the patient’s care and palliation after referral to CancerCare. This approach is now being adopted by other Canadian cancer centers.

Stephanie Lelond, RN, MN, CHPCN(C), Clinical Nurse Specialist in Early Palliative Care, CancerCare Manitoba

Dr. Christina Kim, FRCPC

Dr. Paul Daeninck, MSc, FRCPC, Attending Medical Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba

E2 – A Deep Dive into Clinician Suffering: Insights and Implications

What is Clinician Suffering? And how might growing our understanding of Clinician Suffering inform our front-line practice and our ability to sustain in this work? This 60 minute presentation will draw upon new research that provides new insights into palliative care clinicians’ own suffering. Throughout this presentation, participants from all disciplinary backgrounds will have the opportunity to reflect on, and increase their understanding of, this personal and professional aspect of palliative care provision.

Maxxine Rattner, PhD, MSW, RSW

E3 – Alternate Routes of Medication Administration

It is often necessary to investigate alternate routes of medication administration with palliative care patients to ensure optimal care. While oral administration is most frequently the preferred route for both the patient and the health care provider alike, if it is no longer accessible, viable alternate routes may have to be investigated and chosen. Alternate routes that are frequently employed may include subcutaneous, intravenous, transmucosal, topical, transdermal, inhalation, and others. We will look at some of the options available to us.

Scott Groen, B.Sc. Pharm, Assistant Manager, Tache Pharmacy

 
BLOCK F: September 22 – 1:15pm
F1 – Caregiving & Grieving During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study of Lived Experience, Palliative Care and Bereaved Caregiver

The literature reflects the practical and psychosocial implications of caregiving for someone who is at end of life. Although the area of end of life caregiving has been well researched, a new area of research is emerging related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation will discuss a qualitative research study which took place in Manitoba and explored the lived experience of end of life caregivers during the first year of the pandemic and their bereavement experience.

Salina Fukumoto, MSW, RSW, Provincial Clinical Services Consultant, Cancer & Palliative Care Provincial Clinical Team, Health Service Integration & Quality, Shared Health

F2 – Exploring Psychiatric Nursing Practice in End-of-Life Care

Psychiatric nursing philosophy places emphasis on the importance of building and maintaining therapeutic relationships. Providing holistic care is a large piece of the training for RPN’s, and this is integral to those receiving end-of-life care. It is with this knowledge, that RPNs are equipped with the skills to recognize specific needs of their patients. In doing so, the goal is to provide support and empower patients while helping to maintain dignity throughout their health care journey.

Dana Naismith, RPN, BA, BScPN, MHS, Assistant Professor, Psychiatric Nursing, Brandon University

Carleigh Grenier, RPN, BScPN, Clinical Placement Coordinator, Psychiatric Nursing, Brandon University

Patricia Uy, BSc, BScPN, Student, Psychiatric Nursing, Brandon University

F3 – Hypercalcemia in Cancer and Palliative Care

Hypercalcemia is a relatively common problem in the management of patients with advanced cancer, as well as those receiving palliative care, and yet it is often not well understood. This session will use a case-based approach to explain the basics in calcium metabolism, potential mechanisms of hypercalcemia and then explore its management.

Dr. Cornelius J. Woelk, CCFP, FCFP