CCSRI Demystify Dying with Art

Palliative Education Through Art Communication and Engagement

Project Title

Demystifying palliative care through arts-based knowledge translation:  An innovative knowledge to action approach for engagement and communication among patients/families and healthcare professionals.

Time Period and Funding

2015-7, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI), Knowledge to Action Grant. $99,500.81

Principal Investigators

Brenda Sabo

Co-investigators

Roberta Barker, David Dupere, Simon Field, Grace Johnston, Robert McClure, Deborah McLeod, Shelley Meldrum, Liam Mulroy, Krista Ritchie, Mina Singh, Erna Snelgrove-Clarke

Collaborators

Katie Dorian, Emily Drake, Roy Ellis, Alexis Milligan, Linda Schroeder

Project Coordinator

Samantha Hachey

Purpose

Develop arts-based knowledge translation tools to change attitudes about palliative care leading to earlier referral and improvement in the quality of life for persons living with advanced life-limiting cancer

Objectives

• Develop arts-based tools to improve palliative and end-of-life care by opening up conversation on advance care planning,
• Test whether the tools change beliefs of medical and nursing students, doctors, nurses and the public about palliative care, and
• Enhance quality of life for persons living with advanced cancer.

Outputs

• Healthcare professionals and the public will be invited to open sessions in Halifax, Montreal and Toronto to view the play in a world café forum,
• Website will be created to host the arts-based tools which are to include stories, digital stories, vignettes and 45-minute play based on the shared narratives,
• Knowledge exchange through social media, and
• Publications and presentations to a range of audiences.