By 2025, only 20% of Canadians will die with an illness that has a recognizable terminal phase.

2/3 of Canadians will die with 2 or more chronic diseases and will live in a more frail and vulnerable state.

Because people's trajectories will be less predictable, many will not receive the benefits of palliative care because they are often not identified before they die*. It is important to change the approach and model of palliative care for earlier and better care.

*(Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Fact Sheet, 2012).

What is RPACE?

The Regional Palliative Approach to Care Education (RPACE) Team supports IPACE and EPAIRS. Below is our vision and we hope that after these modules you will be inspired to have early conversations with patients about what matters most to them.

We are shifting the culture across VCH to support the practice of an early palliative approach to care. We strive to achieve the benefits of communicating and respecting a patient’s goals, values and beliefs in all care decisions so that early conversations lead from foundational to exceptional care.

What is IPACE?

Integrating a Palliative Approach by having Conversations Early (IPACE) is a foundational skill that every member of the health care team can practice.

What is EPAIRS?

Embedding a Palliative Approach in Residential Settings (EPAIRS) is a foundational skill for all staff members who work in a Long Term Care or Assisted Living setting.

01. Identification
02. Conversation