Friday, June 4, 2010

Cindy Shobbrook, Educator in Palliative Care, Pain and Symptom Management from the de Souza Institute is in Dryden today to deliver a workshop with local and regional clinicians.

The two-day workshop for nurses aims to improve patient’s quality of life as much as possible. It’s happening Friday, June 4 until Saturday, June 5 at the Best Western Motor Inn in Dryden.

“Pain is a symptom, an experience that every person can relate to,” says Shobbrook, “nurses have a profound impact on a person's pain experience and understanding a person's beliefs and control is the first step.”

Today, on the first day of the workshop, nurses will explore principles and approaches to pain and symptom management in cancer and other life-limiting illness. On day two, the nurses will apply their knowledge through role play, practicing approaches to challenging communication issues with families and colleagues.

“Pain is a common and unique symptom experienced by patients with cancer which markedly impacts the quality of an individual’s life,” says Cori Watson, RN - Professional Practice Leader, Oncology at Regional Cancer Care Northwest.

“As members of interdisciplinary teams, nurses are in a pivotal position to improve cancer pain management and we are thrilled to be collaborating with CERAH, Pain and Symptom Management local Clinicians and the deSouza Institute to provide this opportunity for our regional nurses," Watson adds.

The free 2-day workshop for all RNs & RPNs is hosted by Regional Cancer Care Northwest, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, the Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Program of North Western Ontario, in collaboration with the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health.

What is the de Souza Institute?

The de Souza Institute is an innovative centre of learning dedicated to improving cancer care by supporting excellence in oncology nursing. Nurses play a vital role in caring for patients throughout the cancer journey – in prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliation. But the demand for nurses with specialized skills in oncology continues to grow. In the next 10 years, Ontario will see a 40 percent increase in the number of people living with cancer.

To address this need, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care established the de Souza Institute in 2008 with $15 million in funding. The Institute was named in honour of Anna Maria de Souza, a distinguished Toronto philanthropist and volunteer who lost her life to cancer in 2007.

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