What inspired you to take on the role of Palliative Care Clinical Coach for KW4 OHT?
Ellen was drawn to the role of Palliative Care Clinical Coach for several reasons. The combination of education and clinical work was of great interest, as was the opportunity to improve access to and the delivery of palliative care to patients/families in the community. Ellen also appreciated the variety the role offers, particularly the chance to work with different organizations and contribute to their quality improvement initiatives.
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to specialize in palliative care?
Ellen has over 35 years of experience as a registered nurse, working primarily in oncology and hospice palliative care. She has a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a master's degree in education. Her journey toward specializing in palliative care began after experiencing the loss of a close family member. It was during that time that she came to appreciate more fully the importance of supportive care—not only for the patient but also for the family as they grieved and continued their lives. This pivotal experience sparked a desire to focus on palliative care at some point in her career. Years later, she accepted a position at a residential hospice as ann intake nurse, eventually becoming the nurse manager. Ellen believes in the importance of patient- and family-centered care, and has a special interest in grief and bereavement support.
What does a typical day look like for you in this position?
Ellen started this position in late October. This role is dynamic, focusing on supporting organizations participating in the palliative model of care implementation project. This includes meeting learning needs, working toward palliative care delivery framework recommendations, organizing educational sessions, gathering resources, and helping to contribute to quality improvement initiatives. Ellen is also available to provide consultation on complex cases and attends various meetings at local, regional, and provincial levels.
What do you think are the biggest challenges faced by individuals and families navigating palliative care, and how does your role address these?
Ellen recognizes several challenges for individuals and families navigating palliative care. These include understanding what a palliative approach is, when it should begin, and what it offers. Because death and dying are often difficult topics to discuss, families are often unprepared when they receive a diagnosis. This brings a mix of emotion, fear, and uncertainty as they search for information and support. Access to palliative care can also be challenging, both in terms of knowing how to access services and dealing with the limits of what is available. Families may struggle to find and connect with community resources or know who to contact and when.
Ellen’s role as a Palliative Care Clinical Coach helps address these challenges. Through the Palliative Model of Care Implementation project, she supports healthcare providers with resources, tools, and training. Ellen is actively learning about various organizations and their offerings to help build connections within the community and raise awareness. She hopes to build capacity, expand the range of palliative supports, and promote a better understanding of what these services can provide.
How do you plan to improve communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and families in need of palliative care?
Ellen aims to support healthcare providers in the organizations participating in the model of care implementation by offering resources, tools, and training opportunities. One such resource is related to the topic of serious illness conversations, which helps providers frame and structure difficult discussions. Funding is available to support educational opportunities, and strategies to improve communication and collaboration will be tailored to each organization’s ideas, priorities, and goals.
Is there a particular moment or story in your career that has deeply impacted you and shaped your approach to palliative care?
Ellen recalls a particular experience with a patient who was dying and being assessed in her daughter’s home for admission to hospice. The patient, while pleasant, was initially resistant to the idea of leaving her home and family. Her family, however, felt her needs exceeded what they could manage. Ellen engaged the patient in a conversation about her condition, her concerns, and how her symptoms could be managed in hospice. The patient ultimately consented to admission and had a peaceful, comfortable death at the hospice. Afterward, her daughter wrote to Ellen, expressing gratitude for the difficult conversation, respectful approach, and the positive hospice experience, which brought peace to the entire family.
What message would you like to share with the KW4OHT community as you step into this role?
The KW4 OHT community is strong and has many beneficial and valued agencies and resources available. Ellen is committed to helping connect people and services, focusing on improving the delivery of palliative care in the community. Ellen is excited to work collaboratively to evolve palliative resources and looks forward to seeing the impact we can achieve together.
Additional Resources for Palliative Care Support
To further explore palliative care services and learn how you can access support for yourself or your loved ones, consider the following resources:
Health Canada – Palliative Care
The Waiting Room Revolution
A podcast designed for individuals and families facing serious illness, providing practical advice, real stories, and tools to navigate the journey.
Palliative Care Health Services Delivery Framework
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