VANCOUVER, B.C., June 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What
Join Dr. Doris Barwich, President of the Canadian Society of Pallaitive Care Physicians, Dr. Diane Meier, Director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care, and Sharon Baxter, Executive Director of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, as they respond to questions related to the Dying with Dignity Bill 52. The speakers will also elaborate on the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians position on the issue. Please see the position statement below.
Where
Lonsdale Room, Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel - 1128 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4R5
When
Friday, June 14 at 9:30am PDT
Statement
Yesterday, the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) opens its 9th Annual Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine Conference to promote better end of life care by physicians, a day after Bill 52 was introduced into the Quebec National Assembly. Hospice Palliative Care education for physicians is our primary concern, and we encourage provincial governments and universities to provide education for all practicing and future physicians to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to provide quality end of life care. This will facilitate greater access to competent and compassionate care for all Canadians living with advanced medical illness. Although the CSPCP applauds the commitment to improve access to palliative care services in Quebec, CSPCP does not support the inclusion of medical aid in dying (more commonly referred to as euthanasia) as part of the continuum of care at the end of life.
As Canada enters the debate around these contentious issues, we want to reassure Canadians that effective therapies exist to manage symptoms and address fears related to the dying process. Education is essential to ensure that all physicians have the skills and knowledge, to provide quality end of life care, so that no Canadians find themselves requesting death as the only option.
"Educating all physicians around end of life care needs to be a priority. At this time gaps exist." adds Dr. Doris Barwich, President of the CSPCP. "We need to promote other options to address the pain and suffering of terminally ill patients and we need to ensure that Canadians have access to them."