Canada’s first pediatric palliative care residency program housed at CHEO
Posted Nov 17, 2021 04:49:00 PM.
For the first time in Canadian history, physicians have the opportunity to specialize in pediatric palliative care through a residency program, and it's happening in Ottawa.
CHEO is announcing its new Pediatric Palliative Care Residency program on Wednesday, November 17. The specialty training program is a partnership between CHEO, Roger Neilson House and uOttawa's Faculty of Medicine.
Pediatric palliative care is specialized care for children with severe, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses.
CHEO explains, palliative care in pediatrics differs from adult palliative care in that the complex nature of many of these child illnesses and conditions mean a prognosis can span several years or even decades. Because of this, children, youth, and families experiencing these illnesses and conditions need compassionate and well-trained providers who understand what they're going through and their unique needs.
By offering this program, CHEO is training the next generation of physicians with the specialized knowledge required to support the complex care needed.
“In this field, every child has unique needs and a unique story,” says Dr. Kyle St. Louis, the program's first physician in training. “This program has an incredible group of learners and educators who have your back and want to support you as a team. They've helped me learn how to care for these children, youth and their families using evidence-based practices, partnership and compassion to better understand their needs and stories.”
The one-year residency program delivers training to residents specializing in supporting children, youth, caregivers and families who are coping with a pediatric palliative diagnosis by using research, empathy and communication skills.
CHEO says residents learn how to collaborate and lead within a multi-disciplinary team to support the full range of social, emotional, and physical care required. Importantly, this training provides learners with opportunities to provide care in various settings, including in hospital, at home, in the community and in the children's hospice, Roger Neilson House.
