Speaker Session Learning Objectives & Disclosures

Summary of Learning Objectives for the 2025 Bluewater Palliative Care Retreat

Thursday, September 25, 2025

0930-1030 Dr. Patricia Strachan: Nursing Communication

Disclosure: Dr. Strachan has an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with McMaster University as a Tenured Associate Professor

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to identify 3 complex factors that influence the dynamic relational work embedded in the care of patients living with advanced life-limiting illness.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to describe how specific communication approaches facilitate connection in the liminal spaces of care for patients with serious illness and their families.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to articulate one strategy that can support development and resilience of their own relational praxis.

OR, MORE SUCCINCTLY STATED:

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • identify 3 complex factors that influence the dynamic relational work embedded in the care of patients living with advanced life-limiting illness.

  • describe how specific communication approaches facilitate connection in the liminal spaces of care for patients with serious illness and their families.

  • articulate one strategy that can support development and resilience of their own relational praxis.

1045-1145 Dr. Gillian Mount: Palliative Care in Hematological Malignancies

Disclosure: Dr. Mount does not have any affiliation (financial or otherwise) with any for-profit or not-for-profit organizations

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to identify common hematological malignancies and the differences between curative and palliative intent chemotherapy.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to describe some of the barriers to palliative care in hematological malignancies.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to provide an approach to blood transfusion at the end of life for patients with hematological malignancies.

1300-1400 Dr. Sheri Bergeron: Palliative Care for All

Disclosure: Dr. Bergeron does not have any affiliation (financial or otherwise) with any for-profit or not-for-profit organizations

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to describe the limitations of community based palliative care for those experiencing homelessness.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to describe unique psychosocial considerations for those experiencing homelessness with life limiting illness.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to review their own palliative care resources and how to utilize them for those experiencing homelessness.

1400-1500 Dr. Julie Lebert: Immunotherapy Adverse Effects

Disclosure: Dr. Lebert has an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with Merck as a Moderator (received honorarium) and Astellas as a Speaker (received honorarium).

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to explain differences in the mechanism of action and side effect profiles of immunotherapy drugs.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to identify presenting symptoms of immunotherapy-related toxicities.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to understand the management the most common immune-related toxicities.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to gain appreciation of the powerful nature of these drugs – both in treating cancers, but also causing complications.

1515-1615 Dr. Joanna Laba: Radiation for Brain Metastases: Balancing Burden and Benefit

Disclosure: Dr. Laba does not have an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with any for-profit or not-for-profit organizations

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the role of radiation therapy in the management of brain metastases.

  • Identify key factors that influence the decision to pursue radiation, including prognosis, symptom burden, and patient goals of care.

  • Compare the potential benefits and burden of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) from a patient-centered perspective.

  • Collaborate across disciplines to advocate for the patient’s best interest.

Friday, September 26, 2025

0915-1015 Dr. Sunita Puri

Disclosure: Dr. Strachan does not have an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with any for-profit or not-for-profit organizations

Talk #1: Saying What We Mean and Meaning What We Say: Finding the Right Words for Courageous Conversations about Living and Dying Well

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to describe the importance of clear, compassionate communication in the care of seriously ill patients.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to implement a framework for goals of care conversations that draws upon the elements of narrative writing.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to utilize specific words, phrases, and questions to have meaningful and thorough discussions with patients about living and dying well.

1030-1130 Talk #2: Being The Witness: Writing as a Tool for Healing and Fulfillment

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to describe the ways that storytelling can foster community building and individual resiliency.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to practice writing exercises to describe the challenges and joys of practicing medicine.

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to reflect on the effectiveness of a writing practice in deepening individual fulfillment in medical practice.

1215-1315 Dr. Caroline McGuinty and Ms. Freya Kelly: Palliative Care in Heart Failure

Disclosure: Dr. McGuinty does not have an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with any for-profit or not-for-profit organizations

Disclosure: Ms. Kelly has an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with Pfizer as a Speaker (receives speaking fees)

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to describe the evidence for a palliative are in the management of heart failure.

  • At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to discuss an approach to the management of patients with end stage heart disease.

  • At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to recognize challenges in prognostication of advanced heart failure and communication around illness trajectory.

1315-1415 Doug George: Culturally Safe Care for Indigenous People

Disclosure: Mr. George has an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with Bluewater Health (employee, Indigenous Navigator) and Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team Indigenous Advisory Council (representative for Bluewater Health)

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to understand various associated ceremonies surrounding palliative care including life preservation, death, and spiritual transitions of the local Indigenous population. Looking through a trauma-informed lens, support personnel will be able to describe the local colonial history that impacted and formulated current belief systems of Indigenous people related to palliative care environments.