Project Title:    End of life care and vulnerable populations (VP-NET)

Principal Investigator: Chochinov, Harvey; Stienstra, Deborah A

Contact Information:
Lindsey Troschuk, VP-NET Project Coordinator
126 Education Building
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
tel: 204-474-7347
fax: 204-474-6676
Email: troschuk@ms.umanitoba.ca

Abstract:
This New Emerging Team will tackle the difficult but important issue of vulnerability at the end of life. While it could be argued that all persons who are dying are vulnerable, this team will focus its initial efforts on a few specific vulnerable populations. These will include the frail elderly; people whose terminal illness is associated with a long trajectory of decline and cumulative functional limitations; and those with longstanding disabilities, facing co-morbid, life limiting conditions. These populations face unique challenges and barriers, affecting their access to, and experience of, end of life care. Understanding the dynamics of vulnerability requires the assembling of a multi-disciplinary and cross-thematic team, which can study these issues from multiple perspectives, including a clinical, policy, societal and ethical frame of reference. The Vulnerable Persons New Emerging Team, or VP-NET, will bring together a richly diverse group of individuals, under the joint leadership of Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov, Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Dr. Deborah Stienstra, Director of Disability Studies at University of Manitoba. The formation of this team will provide unique training opportunities for students across various faculties, as well as see more experienced investigators segueing their work into palliative care. Finally, the VP-NET will provide an ideal template on how to conduct research on vulnerable persons, yielding a better understanding of how to address their needs and concerns towards the end of life.