Palliative Care

Palliative care is an approach that aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for patients with life-limiting acute or chronic conditions and their families. Yet high-quality palliative care is not universally available or accessible to all Canadians.

The CMA has participated in the national dialogue on palliative care for years. We continue to represent the physician perspective on this issue, including by participating in Health Canada consultations on a Canadian palliative care framework and in the Palliative End-of-Life Care National Network.

CMA policies on palliative care

News

2000–2026 Statistics Canada projections

~330,000

Canadians will die each year by 2026 — likely translating into increased demand for high-quality palliative care services

2010 Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada report

people on average are affected by a single death, meaning the accessibility of high-quality palliative care has an impact on millions of Canadians

CMA activity and submissions

2017

May 27, 2017

Advance care planning

The CMA’s policy on advance care planning (ACP) offers guidance to physicians and medical learners on key considerations for ACP as well as recommendations for institutions and governments.

2015

October 3, 2015

Palliative Care

The CMA’s palliative care policy states that all Canadians nearing end of life should have access to comprehensive, quality palliative care services and calls on governments to develop a strategy that ensures equitable access and adequate standards.

August 26, 2015

End of life care resolutions adopted at 2015 General Council

At the CMA’s 148^th Annual Meeting in Halifax, CMA General Council adopts nine resolutions on end-of-life care — including to advocate for a medical assistance in dying framework for physician participation.

May 1, 2015

Palliative Care: CMA’s National Call to Action

Palliative Care: Canadian Medical Association’s National Call to Action includes 10 recommendations for physicians, continuing care facilities, long-term care homes and other stakeholders to improve the quality of and access to palliative care in Canada

2014

August 18, 2014

End of life care resolutions adopted at 2014 General Council

At CMA’s 147^th Annual Meeting in Ottawa, CMA General Council adopts eight resolutions on end-of-life care — including to support physicians to follow their conscience when deciding whether to provide medical aid in dying

July 1, 2014

End of life care: A National Dialogue. CMA member consultation report

End-of-life care issues including medical assistance in dying and palliative care are the subject of six face-to-face meetings with CMA members and CMA-organized online dialogue sessions

June 1, 2014

End of life care: A National Dialogue

Canadians share their perceptions of euthanasia and physician-assisted dying, palliative care and advance care directives with CMA during CMA’s cross-Canada “town hall” sessions

Tools & Resources

Resource

National call to action for physicians on palliative care

Learn how to take a more active approach to palliative care, whether you’re working in the area or are an advocate for improved access and quality. This report includes examples of innovative care delivery models, lists training opportunities and profiles physician leaders in palliative care.

Resource

Policy on palliative care

This CMA policy sets out goals for palliative care and defines the CMA’s position on access to palliative services, physician education, the role of government and more. It includes background on palliative care in Canada and the CMA’s recommendations for addressing existing challenges.

All topic resources

Get Involved

Join the conversation

The CMA provides grants and supports communities of interest to help physicians tackle issues that matter to the medical professions and health care in Canada.

Have your say

Weigh in on a variety of health policy and professional issues by joining our CMA Member Voice e-Panel. Your feedback helps shape the direction of the policy and advocacy work we do on behalf of the profession. In 2016, our members let us know end-of life care in Canada was a top-priority issue.

Related Resources

End-of-life care resolutions

Read the end-of-life care resolutions adopted by General Council at the 148th Annual Meeting of the CMA.

National dialogue highlights

Watch highlights from the CMA’s national dialogue on end-of-life care recorded in St. John’s, Vancouver, Whitehorse, Regina and Mississauga.

Canadian physicians’ views on end-of-life care

Find out how physicians responded to end-of-life care questions in this infographic, based on responses to CMA online polls.

All resources

Driving meaningful change in health care

Advocating on issues that matter to the profession and their patients

Seniors Care

As Canada’s population ages, wait times and health care costs will continue to climb. We want a national seniors strategy, and investments into more effective and accessible seniors care.

Learn moreabout Seniors Care

Medical Assistance in Dying

From a position of neutrality — supporting members who provide services for medically assisted dying and those who choose not to — the CMA is driving dialogue about this complex end-of-life intervention.

Learn moreabout Medical Assistance in Dying

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