Hospital uses net to bridge gap in end-of-life care

A newly launched website is designed to help people with cancer who need psychological support during their final days.

Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital offers an integrated palliative care program that combines medical treatment with information for terminally ill patients and their families.

The website, called caringtotheend.ca, is part of the initiative, which aims to integrate mind, body and soul.

Death and dying are neglected areas in the field of medicine, noted Gary Rodin, a palliative care specialist who heads the program.

Cancer care and medical treatments focus on cure for chronic disease, but doctors may not be trained to give adequate pain relief and emotional support, he said.

At the request of patients and their families, the hospital designed the program to close the gap. Cancer survivors like Derek Lawrence provided input for the website.

Lawrence had prostate cancer 10 years ago, which has since metastasized to his spine. He is preparing to have part of his spine surgically removed.

"Take myself, for instance. I don't know how I'm going to come out of this operation," said Lawrence. "So many things happen so quickly that a website like this gives information to people who need it."

The site includes information on pain management and grief support. People can click on a map to look for hospices in their area, said site designer David Wiljer, director of knowledge management at Princess Margaret.

The website is specially designed for patients who are near death and can't physically reach a hospital. They may need medication information late at night that is easy to use, save and share with their care team, Wiljer said.

As Canada's population grows older, Rodin said, programs like "Caring to the End of Life" will help ensure that emotional and spiritual well-being are a priority, alongside surgery and drug therapy.