LEAP Program: Palliative Care Training for Health Care Professionals

PCSBV provided 43 care professionals with palliative care training between March 2018 and January 2020.

PCSBV delivers the Pallium Canada LEAP Program curriculum and the training provides health care professionals with essential skills and competencies in palliative care approaches.  We have put on three LEAP courses from March 2018 to January 2020. The first two were in Canmore and the latest one in Banff. In total, 43 people have completed the no-cost training (though more signed up but were unable to attend). Of those who did participate, 14 were doctors, two were pharmacists and the remainder were nurses. The LEAP training provides health care professionals with essential skills and competencies in palliative end-of-life care.

The learning outcomes for the program include:

• Undertaking advance care planning discussions
• Managing pain, nutrition, hydration and other physical conditions
• Identifying and helping to manage depression, grief and anxiety
• Addressing spiritual, psychosocial and/or religious needs
• Preparing patients and families for final hours and days

After one of the courses, some of our board members were with several nurses, one of whom attended the training and shared how she felt the training had transformed the care she was able to give to palliative patients at the end of life. This is the kind of outcome the PCSBV aims to achieve by providing this program to local health care professionals serving residents and patients in the Bow Valley. The online courses have been very popular, and with the generosity of Pallium Canada the Society receives 50% off selected online courses outlined on their website for our local participants.  

If you are a health care professional interested in the LEAP Program training, contact us at info@pcsbv.juiceware.io for more information.

For more detailed information about Pallium Canada’s program, visit https://www.pallium.ca/courses/.