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Canadian Serious Illness Conversation (CSIC) Training

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About this Program

Delivery Method

Virtual or In person delivery dependent on facilitator and region.

Program Fee: FREE | See Details

This training program strengthens health care professional communication skills in compassionate and effective conversations with patients, families, and caregivers facing serious illness. By focusing on person-centered values, wishes, beliefs and goals, this training program will assist health care providers in reducing confusion in illness understanding for patients/residents and ensure that care decisions align with what matters most to the individual.

Intended Audience

Appropriate for any health care professional (ex: MD, NP, SW, RN/RPN) who wants to improve their ability to engage in meaningful and compassionate conversations with individuals living with a Serious Illness. 

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Course Details

The CSIC training includes a self-learning module and 1 (one) "in-class" facilitated session with a trained facilitator. The focus of this program will be to develop a comfort in using the evidenced based Serious Illness Conversation Guide developed by Ariadne Labs at Harvard University and is supported by Pallium Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

The Fundamentals program is intended for those working in the health system who have an interest in developing his, her, or their ommunication skills in compassionate and effective conversations with patients, families, and caregivers facing serious illness:

  • Volunteers
  • Personal Support Workers
  • Recreational therapists
  • Housekeeping
  • Dietitians
  • Social Workers
  • Developmental Service Managers
  • Students (e.g. health science, PSW, RN, Gerontology)
  • Case coordinators
  • Directors of Care
  • Health Administration
  • Paramedics
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech Language Professionals
  • Physical Therapists
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Registered Nurses
  • Registered Practical Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Physician / Family Health Team staff
  • Specialty care services (e.g. renal, obstetrics, ICU, Acute Care)
  • Mental health case managers
  • Emergency Medical Services

Program Schedules, Registration & Payment


CSIC programs are currently being offered in various geographies of Northeastern Ontario.

  • The cost of the Serious Illness Conversation Training Program is FREE.
  • Please register in the area where you live and work if possible.
  • To successfully complete the program, registrants must complete all pre-work, attend "in-class session" and post course evaluation.

Register for CSIC Training

Register below for the area where you live and work.

Register for CSIC Training in Algoma

Register for CSIC Training in Nipissing

Register for CSIC Training in Sudbury

Need help?

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PPSMCneo@von.ca
Support Email

  • Are these programs free?

    The PPSMCNEO programs are some of the most cost effective programs in the province. 


    Majority of the programs are $45.00 per learner. The CAPCE program is $65.00 per learner at this time. 


    All of the programs are eligible to be reimbursed by local palliative care education funding dollars (ex: Near North Palliative Care Network for people working in Nipissing District or through Clinical Coach affiliated organizations).  


    Please note that the LEAP program fees are set by Pallium Canada and are more expensive. See https://www.pallium.ca for more details on cost of LEAP. The LEAP program may still be eligible for reimbursement as above. Please reach out to us via the LEAP program page if you have questions about LEAP.

  • How do I register?

    Select the program you are looking to register for, scroll down to section entitled View Schedule and Register. At this point you can view all scheduled sessions for that program or search based on your address. You will be able to “drill down” to specific programs in your geographical area. From there you will click on the course that meets your needs and be taken to a window where you can “Request Service”. You will be further prompted to fill in the required registration information.

  • Are there any prerequisites?

    Please see program page for more details on prerequisites for each of the programs. When you register for a course you will be further prompted to consider if you meet all of the eligibility criteria.

  • Are these programs in person or virtual?

    All of the programs facilitated by the PPSMCs have virtual and in- person options. If you are an organization looking to have a specific education program offered at your organization please reach out to the PPSMC that is in your district or email us your request at ppsmcneo@von.ca.