Presentation Description: Pediatric palliative care provides support to patients with life limiting illnesses. The integration of palliative care with oncology patients has been shown to increase quality of life, yet there is often hesitation on the part of oncologists to introduce palliative care to patients. Both the challenges of early introduction of palliative care in pediatric oncology as well as the many benefits were discussed.
Speaker: Donna Johnston, MD, FRCPC, FAAP Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa
Presentation Description: Using a case based approach, this interactive workshop discussed the challenges children and their families, healthcare providers, and the healthcare team face in the setting of relapsed disease. This workshop discussed eliciting parents’ definition of “being a good parent to my very ill child” and using this to inform care. Conversely, the assembled group examined the clinician’s definition of “being a good doctor/nurse/provider to this very ill child”, and how this compares and contrasts with what patients and parents value. This session explored what happens to the family and family dynamics at the time of diagnosis or relapsed disease. In addition, team dynamics (internal and external) during times of crucial decision-making and conflict were explored. Conceptual clarification of palliative care and end of life care were discussed along with tools for incorporating this into our communication with families and health care providers, and in our decision-making.
Andrea Frolic, PhD Director, Office of Clinical & Organizational Ethics, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton
Shayna Zelcer, MD, FRCPC Staff Physician, Paediatric Hematology/Oncology
Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
Presentation Description: Emphasis on cancer survivorship is increasing yearly both for adults and children diagnosed with cancer. The incorporation of exercise as a standard component of cancer therapy has not yet been established. However a growing amount of research is directed at investigating the effects of exercise on cancer survivors. This presentation summarized recent evidence supporting incorporation of exercise following cancer diagnosis, reviewed exercise safety considerations and highlighted the CanWell Exercise and Education program for cancer survivors.
Speaker:
Oren Cheifetz, PhD
Clinical Specialist in Physiotherapy, Hamilton Health Sciences
Canadian Cancer Rehabilitation and Education Institute (CCREI)
Presentation Description: Managing your health after cancer can be overwhelming, but empowerment is the key. That’s why POGO created the Passport to Health and Survivor Care Plan Package, a tool that is specially customized to each survivor to help them learn about late effects they may be at risk for and keep track of treatment information. This workshop provided an overview of this innovative tool, how to get it and what you need to do to successfully manage your health for years to come.
Speaker: Carla Bennett, RN, BN Coordinator of Clinical Programs
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)
Presentation Description: It is widely known that growing up with childhood cancer may have consequences in adulthood. Little is known about possible predictors of these consequences. The course of life (fulfilling developmental tasks and achieving developmental milestones) may be an important mediator of later quality of life and psychological functioning. The course of life of 353 Dutch survivors in comparison to 508 peers was discussed in this presentation.
Speaker:
Martha Grootenhuis, PhD
Head, Psychosocial Research Department
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Holland
Head, Psychosocial Research Department
Emma Children’s Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Holland
