Serious Illness Conversation Guide – A systematic interdisciplinary approach to improving conversations about client values and priorities in serious illness (October 12, 2023)

Presented by: Jamie Wolff

Central to the palliative approach is person-centred communication focusing on quality of life and aiming to align a person's wishes and priorities for care with decisions about future care. The Serious Illness Conversation Guide (Ariadne Labs, 2016) is a vital part of an interdisciplinary approach to palliative care and can help guide conversations to understand people's perspectives. This webinar will describe the Serious Illness Conversation Guide (Ariadne Labs, 2016) and rationale for a systematic approach to improving conversations about a person's values and priorities in serious illness. The webinar will explore the evidence and theory behind the development of the guide, provide a brief overview of components of the guide, discuss the role for occupational therapists within this interdisciplinary tool, and share practice tips for delivering a functional prognosis within the occupational therapy scope of practice.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Summarize the rationale for a systematic approach to improving conversations about a person's values and priorities in serious illness.
2. Define the structure of the Serious Illness Care intervention and its components.
3. Discuss applications for occupational therapists in Canada.

Level  Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Area of practice Acute Care, Cancer Care, Cardio-Respiratory Care, Caregiver/Family Education, Chronic Disease Management, Older Adults, Palliative/EOL Care

Client age group Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)