Enhancing the Role of Families as Educators

This project organizes retreats that explore ways to integrate pediatric palliative care education into health care settings. Building on the “Family as Educators” component of EDC’s Initiative for Pediatric Palliative Care (IPPC) program, bereaved parents and parents whose children are faced with chronic health conditions participate in the retreats as co-teachers and co-learners alongside the health care professionals. By sharing their stories and helping caregivers understand the family viewpoint, family members are helping to ensure that another child or another family member will have a better experience than they did. The IPPC retreats also provide a forum for family members to connect with professional caregivers outside of the health care setting.