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A palliative care champion is a clinician who furthers their own knowledge in palliative care to bring these values and skills to their practice by:

  • Raising the standard for communication and shared decision making
  • Advocating for greater integration of palliative care services, education, and research
  • Ensuring all patients with serious illness have access to palliative care services
  • Encouraging and supporting their team—from “within the group”—to learn and use these skills as standard of practice.

Who Can Become a Palliative Care Champion?

Explore this page to understand the vital role palliative care plays across the cancer care continuum. Find resources and learn how to join their efforts to improve patient outcomes and elevate the standard of care.

 

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with serious illnesses. It focuses on relieving symptoms and reducing the stress associated with these conditions. The primary goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family.

Hear from Jackie Wall, MD, as she shares what it means to be a palliative care champion, and why this role is essential in improving the lives of patients with gynecologic cancers. 

 

VIDEO of Jackie Wall, MD 0:00-0:41 

The Value of Palliative Care Champions in Gynecologic Oncology

Palliative care champions play a vital role across multiple areas of gynecologic oncology, including surgical care, patient and family support, healthcare provider well-being, and overall health system effectiveness.

The Role of Palliative Care in Surgery

Surgical patients have distinct palliative care needs that require thoughtful integration throughout the surgical journey:

Improving Quality of Life

Hear from Lori Spoozak, MD, as she explains why palliative care is more essential than ever in today’s gynecologic cancer care. 

 

VIDEO Lori Spoozak, MD, 0:32- 1:44

 

What’s Next? Get started with the resources below.

 

Palliative Care Module Series Part 1
Five 10–20-minute presentations on different topics with quizzes and case discussion guides—jump around and view the topics you’re most interested in.

Palliative Care Module Series Part 2 
Six 10–20-minute presentations on different topics with quizzes—jump around and view the topics you’re most interested in.

High Stakes Communication in Gynecologic Oncology
2-hour session recorded at the SGO 2024 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer with slides available to download. View it all at once or in segments.

Indications for Outpatient Palliative Care Consultation: How to Introduce Palliative Care to Patients
50-minute session recorded at the SGO 2023 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer with slides available to download. View it all at once or in segments.

Additional Educational Resources

Center to Advance Palliative Care

VITAL Talk Courses

Harvard Educational Courses

American College of Surgeons

Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Find other Fellowship Programs