Establishing Goals of Care: An important element of comprehensive primary care
9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Join Drs. Robert Strang, Ian Reid and Paige Moorhouse as they illustrate the value of integrating Goals of Care conversations into primary care practices as part of regular comprehensive care, at any stage of a patient’s life. 

During his time leading Nova Scotia through COVID-19 as the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Strang witnessed the impact of end-of-life conversations and how physicians play a key role in those discussions. His perspective on this issue led him to co-sponsor, along with Doctors Nova Scotia, one of this year’s Physician Leadership Development Program physician learning projects, which examined how to shift community conversations on quality of life versus length of life.     

Dr. Ian Reid has seen firsthand how unclear processes around Goals of Care can affect end-of-life care for patients and their families. His advocacy on this issue stems from having watched his father pass away without having had his Goals of Care wishes followed.     

Dr. Moorhouse is the co-founder of the Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization Program and the Senior Medical Director for the Integrated Acute and Episodic Care Network. Her work with both groups supported the development of the provincial form, policy and accompanying educational materials for the Nova Scotia Health Goals of Care initiative.

This education session will have participants feeling ready to help transform the conversation on quality of life versus length of lifeby moving beyond the individual, clinical level to a place where the physician community is a leader in community discussions on this issue. Beginning in primary care, these conversations set the stage for all aspects of patient care throughout the healthcare system, including interactions with other physician specialists and interprofessional healthcare providers. 

All physicians and system partners have a part to play in shifting dialogue in Nova Scotia on Goals of Care and end-of-life conversations. Join us for a panel discussion after the presentation with health system partners to discuss how providers, health authorities and government partners can work together to transform the conversation around quality of life versus length of life and its connection to Goals of Care. 

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

• integrate Goals of Care conversations into any patient appointment in their primary care practice as part of regular comprehensive care (CanMEDS roles: Medical Expert, Communicator)
• demonstrate the value of having Goals of Care conversations at any stage of a patient’s life, not only at the end of life (CanMEDS roles: Medical Expert, Health Advocate)
• participate in transforming the conversation in Nova Scotia quality of life versus length of life by moving beyond the individual, clinical level to a place where the physician community is a leader in community discussions on this issue (CanMEDS roles: Medical Expert, Communicator, Professional, Leader)

Dr. Robert Strang is Chief Medical Officer of Health in Nova Scotia appointed in August 2007.  He received his medical degree from University of British Columbia and completed Family Practice and Public Health and Preventive Medicine residencies at UBC.

Dr. Strang was an Associate Medical Officer of Health in South Fraser Health, BC, from 1997-1999 and in 1999, he moved to Halifax to become Medical Officer of Health for Capital District Health Authority. He was acting provincial Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health prior to his CMOH appointment. 

As CMOH, he has provided leadership around the renewal of the public health system in Nova Scotia as well as raising awareness around the importance of creating policies and environments that support better health for Nova Scotian families and communities.

Dr. Strang has an adjunct appointment with Dalhousie University, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology.  

Dr. Ian Reid graduated from Queen’s Medical School in 1981, securing a number of top awards including in surgery. He interned and did a year of general surgery at Memorial, then did urology at the University of Manitoba, finishing in 1986. He, his pediatrician spouse Joan MacIsaac, and then  two sons moved to Charlottetown PEI where he practiced urology for 35 years, retiring in 2017. He taught students and residents throughout his career, and spent 15 years as an editor of the Canadian Journal of Urology. His spouse changed careers and was the Director of Palliative Care in PEI for 25 years. They have resided in Indian Harbour since retiring.

Their three  sons were all graduates of McGill’s Jazz Performance program, spent variable time as professional musicians, and  now are a  dentist, a hospitalist and a psychologist.

He pursues many interests including two choirs, community theatre, work in several capacities in his local United Church, skiing, refereeing basketball, boating and fishing.

His interest in end of life matters comes from his spouse’s career and caring for two elderly parents in Halifax. One passed away two years ago and it was that experience that sparked a keen interest in end of life care planning.

Reignite: Rising in the Age of Burnout 
1:30 - 3:45 p.m.

Join Dr. Jody Carrington for a transformative session designed to help you recover from burnout and restore your energy and focus. Through a mix of humor, honesty, and actionable strategies, she will show you how to revitalize workplace culture, reignite purpose, and boost productivity. This engaging talk empowers you to reconnect, recharge, and thrive like never before. 

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

• identify key signs and contributing factors of burnout in themselves and others within high-demand professional environments (CanMEDS roles: Professional)
• analyze the impact of disconnection, stress and workplace culture on resilience and well-being (CanMEDS roles: Professional)
• apply at least two practical strategies to foster connection, regulate stress and support personal or team resilience in their workplace (CanMEDS roles: Professional, Collaborator, Communicator)

Dr. Jody Carrington is a renowned psychologist and a charismatic keynote speaker celebrated for her profound expertise in human connections. As a leading authority in addressing complex, human-centred challenges, Dr. Carrington excels in guiding individuals and organizations through the intricacies of re-establishing relationships in today's increasingly disconnected society. She boldly believes that all humans have the capacity for good; however, so many of us these days, because of isolation and burnout, have lost access to that good.

Through her insightful analysis, Dr. Carrington explores how societal detachment occurs and outlines practical, meaningful solutions for reconnection. Her approach combines a deeper understanding of how necessary acknowledgment has become, and she underscores how this need is so much bigger than recognition. Her dynamic and heartfelt presentations, infused with humor and honesty, captivate and energize audiences worldwide.

She is the Founder and Principal Psychologist at Carrington & Company. She has served as a civilian member of Canada's national police force, the RCMP, and practiced with the most complex cases on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Dr. Jody's balance as a devoted practitioner and brilliant communicator result in an ability to authentically connect through impactful presentations that has set a new bar in talking about the shifting landscape of mental health.

Dr. Jody has authored three best-selling books, including Feeling Seen (Harper Collins, 2022) and hosts the widely celebrated podcast, "Unlonely." From major theatres and convention halls of 5,000 attendees, to boardrooms of 20 senior leaders, she revels in connecting and delighting an audience of any size, championing the profound need for genuine human connection in an era often dominated by digital communication. Her work is trusted by many of the world's Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, education and healthcare leaders, all working to solve similar core challenges in creating a new set of rules to support and motivate their teams.
 

These education sessions meet the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and have been certified by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education for up to 2.0 Mainpro+ Certified Activity credits.

They are both considered an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education. You may claim a maximum of 2.0 hours (credits are automatically calculated).