Collaborative and participatory approaches to building community capacity for palliative and end of life care.

People living in rural and smaller urban areas near Calgary experience difficulty accessing palliative care services which are concentrated in metropolitan areas. The Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Health Services and community hospice palliative care societies in two rural communities have been working to develop a partnership that incorporates local health system resources and community initiatives in supporting individuals and families living with progressive, life-limiting illnesses. This presentation will provide an understanding of how academic institutions and health services can collaborate with community members to enhance capacity for end of life care, and enrich communities in the process. The Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Health Services and community hospice palliative care societies have been collaboratively working together to enhance community capacity to support individuals and their families in providing end of life care. This presentation will explore this relationship and how it enriches communities in the process.