Transformation Projects

CAPO is leading the creation of a new standard for cancer care in Canada by:



Improving access to psychosocial care through expanded training for health professionals

A national campaign will build much needed capacity in psychosocial care across the country. We will provide accessible, affordable, evidence-based education in psychosocial oncology to health care professionals across the cancer continuum—in prevention, acute care and palliative care. Priority will be given to expansion of the successful IPODE (Inter-professional Psychosocial Oncology Distance Education) Program, which delivers on-line training to healthcare professionals.

Improving the quality of psychosocial care for patients and families

The field of psychosocial care continues to evolve as research provides new insights into the impact of psychological and emotional stress on disease prevention, progression, recovery and end-of-life. We’re also learning new and more effective ways to integrate psychosocial care across the continuum of the cancer experience—to better address patient and family needs and improve quality of life.

Plans include:

  • Continue developing and promoting national guidelines and standards of care—ensuring that the psychosocial care delivered to individuals and their families reflects best practice and the latest scientific evidence.
  • Development and Dissemination of New Resource on Religious Beliefs and Oncology
  • Development and implementation of standardized distress screening tools

Expanding Access to Psychosocial Care Resources Across the Lifespan and to all Canadian Ethnic populations

Children, adolescents, young adults, individuals in mid-life and those in their senior years—individuals of every age are affected by cancer. Their emotional and psychosocial needs—and those of their families—are unique and they will change over time. Access to high quality, age-appropriate psychosocial resources and information can help.

Different cultures approach illness in varied way – the impact of cancer may be similar but the ways in which different groups interact with the healthcare community and deal with distress require culturally appropriate interventions.

Plans to develop innovative resources and programs to meet these specialized psychosocial needs include:

  • Helping Siblings – An Online Forum for Children
  • Just in Time – A Program for Schools to talk to students about cancer in the family
  • Copingwithcancer.ca – A Virtual Psychosocial Cancer Centre
  • Emotional Facts of Life with Cancer Booklet – A cultural Perspective

Funding Psychosocial Oncology Research

CAPO will devote monies each year to fund one to five research projects in psychosocial oncology. To minimize the costs of administering a research grant competition and maximize the funds flowing directly to research, CAPO will, in partnership with an existing national research funder such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) or the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, research will be sponsored to further develop psychosocial resources and tools to optimize the quality of life for those affected by cancer.

Empowering Patients through Increased Awareness

All cancer patients have the right to expect timely, high quality cancer care within our publicly-funded health care system, regardless of where they live. This includes psychosocial services and supportive care that addresses their psychological and emotional needs throughout the cancer journey However, awareness of these services and how they can benefit patients remains low—among patients, families and even among health care professionals. A national public awareness campaign – I am more than cancer, is planned.

The Canadian Association of
Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO)

189 Queen Street East, Suite 1
Toronto, ON M5A 1S2
P. 416-968-0207
F. 416-968-6818
[email protected]

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