A new, innovative partnership will bolster palliative care and support for families in Grey-Bruce thanks to advanced research and training through Georgian College and Brightshores Health System.
Starting this fall, Georgian and Brightshores will offer palliative care simulation training to a variety of health care providers – from primary care physicians and care coordinators to community nurses and pharmacists – who see palliative patients through the early, middle and final stages of the end of their lives.
“The need for high-quality palliative care in the community is greater than ever. Most people want to be at home near the end of life, yet many rural and underserved communities face barriers to making that possible,” said Dr. Kelly Fenn, Palliative Medicine Physician at Brightshores Health System and the lead physician for this project.
“This project brings simulation-based learning right into the home setting – where care happens – to strengthen the skills and confidence of providers, and ultimately, to help more people live well and die comfortably in the place they choose.”
Dr. Rebecca Brookham is the first adjunct scientist at Georgian through this new partnership, as well as Director of the Brightshores Research Institute. She will help lead the research and training at the college’s Owen Sound Campus, which will include a mix of hired actors and high-fidelity manikins as simulated palliative patients.
The Pan-Canadian Care Research Collaborative provided funding for this initiative – through a contribution from Health Canada’s Health Care Policy and Strategies Program – which includes three six-hour sessions in a simulated lab setting that looks like the inside of someone’s home.
Hired actors portraying palliative patients are eventually replaced by life-like, high-fidelity manikins as they progress through their final chapter of life. Actors playing family members of these patients are also part of the training, so learners can practice interacting with them in high-emotion, intense conversations.
“Georgian’s innovative simulation labs are the perfect location for this research and training to take place – not only to help advance palliative care in the Grey-Bruce region, but also to strengthen and expand our health care and research partnerships,” said Dr. Mira Ray, Executive Director, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Georgian. “This partnership is a direct example of Georgian’s strategic plan to build thriving, supported communities, and it creates more localized opportunities for people to live and work in their home communities.”
Georgian's Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing program is currently expanding its clinical placements into palliative care, so there’s potential to expand this new training into the college’s curriculum to even better prepare students for in-demand health care careers.
“I am thrilled to see this partnership continue to grow and contribute to the development and support of health care workers providing palliative care within the community,” said Brookham. “This work is essential to ensure equitable access to care within rural regions, by ensuring patients are supported to age in place, and their families and health care team are provided with adequate resources and training to support these patients.”
This palliative care project is the first project as part of Georgian and Brightshores’ agreement to cross-appoint adjunct scientists to enhance health research and education. Adjunct scientist partnerships are uncommon outside university settings in Canada, demonstrating each institution’s commitment to innovation and collaboration. Georgian is one of the top 50 research colleges in Canada.
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Photo: Back row, from left: Michael Smith, nursing faculty at Georgian; Dr. Rebecca Brookham, the first adjunct scientist at the college from Brightshores Research Institute; Dr. Treva Job, Manager, Simulation Centre at Georgian; and Wendy McDonald, Program Coordinator and nursing faculty at Georgian. Front row, from left: Dr. Kelly Fenn, Palliative Medicine Physician at Brightshores Health System; and Norma, a medium-fidelity manikin.
Media:
Georgian College
Jenni Thompson, Media Relations Officer
mediarelations@georgiancollege.ca
Brightshores Health System
Alex Madill, Communications Specialist
ahmadill@brightshores.ca
About Georgian College
Georgian is MORE than an education – it’s an experience. The college offers 130+ market-driven programs, from degrees and diplomas, to certificates, apprenticeships, corporate training and more, and it’s one of the top 50 research colleges in Canada. A recognized leader in student work experience, our graduate employment rate – 90.3 per cent – is in the top 3 for Ontario colleges. Georgian graduates continue to play a pivotal role in meeting the demand for a highly qualified workforce. We’re the first – and only – college in Canada designated a changemaker college by Ashoka U for our role as a leader in social innovation and changemaking in higher education.
About Brightshores Health System
Brightshores Health System is at the heart of our communities, providing essential health care services that impact lives across Grey and Bruce counties. Operating six hospitals in one of Ontario’s largest geographic regions, we serve a predominantly rural population of 175,000 residents, thousands of seasonal residents and more than two million annual tourists.
Our dedicated team of 2,100+ staff, 250 physicians and 1,000+ volunteers delivers a full range of services, including 24-7 emergency care at every hospital site. The continuous development of specialty programs in cancer, stroke, kidney disease and more ensures patients receive quality care and support within our regional network of hospitals across Grey Bruce.
Through a unique partnership with the Brightshores Research Institute, our experts are advancing research that addresses the distinct needs of rural health care. Our first-of-its-kind Wellness & Recovery Centre, which provides treatment and recovery under one roof, is recognized as a provincial model to respond to the mental health and addictions crisis.