Family Medicine: Palliative Care
Welcome to the Palliative Care Residency Program at the University of Alberta.
ESTABLISHED
THIS PROGRAM WAS FOUNDED IN THE EARLY 1990's
RENOWNED
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
INNOVATIVE
THIS IS WHERE THE ESAS AND ECS-CP ORIGINATED!
Interview/CaRMS Specific Information
Interviews will be offered in a panel format and will be virtual.
We are looking for Family Physicians (CCFP required) with outstanding verbal and non-verbal communication skills. They need to be able to actively listen and convey empathy. They must be able to inspire confidence and win the trust of patients and families. They must also work well within the team environment, respecting the rights and dignity of each and every patient, family, and coworker. They must also have strong clinical strengths regarding their ability to gather, synthesize, and act upon complex clinical information.
At this time we are only able to accept Family Physicians with CCFP. Unfortunately due to constraints in capacity, our previous International Fellowship program is on hold.
Welcome to Our Program
The Enhanced Skills in Palliative Medicine Program at the University of Alberta prepares residents for practice in both primary and consultative palliative care in a variety of clinical settings. It also prepares them for academic practice, should they wish to pursue it, with a robust research component and opportunities to enhance teaching skills.
Residents have rotations providing consultative palliative care at all major sites within our comprehensive city-wide program that are book-ended by two blocks as the attending physician on our inpatient Tertiary Palliative Care Unit (TPCU). They will also gain experience in the provision of primary palliative care during a 2-week block with our colleagues at Pilgrim’s Hospice and will participate in a longitudinal rotation providing palliative care to vulnerable patients in the inner city. Additionally, there is ample elective time to pursue experiences of interest, including palliative care in rural settings.
The academic curriculum is provided in a structured series of seminars that extend through the course of the year. Residents have protected time for the equivalent of two half days each week to facilitate participation in seminars and to work towards completion of their research project. Research is a strength of our program, and our residents have frequently been either finalists or reward recipients for the Resident Research Award offered annually by the Canadian Society of Palliative Medicine. A Wellness Curriculum is integrated into the seminar series and extends throughout the year to provide support but also to foster wellness with the transition into independent practice.
Our program prides itself on providing a positive, supportive learning environment designed to meet the needs and goals of each individual resident. We would love to have you join us!
Dr. Allison Chabassol
Program Director
Our Staff
Allison Chabassol, MD, FRCPC
Program Director
Taurian Guinand, MD, CCFP (PC)
Assistant Program Director
Vickie Baracos
Assistant Director for Research
Dr. Baracos is the Associate Director for Research, supporting the Division in planning and implementation of Resident training in research. She has been involved for ~16 years in the planning and execution of Palliative Care research including Alberta Cancer Board and CIHR Strategic initiatives and served as Scientific Officer of the CIHR Palliative and End of Life Care research panel. She has also had extensive experience in the formation and mentorship of MSc, PhD and clinician investigators, as well as formal roles in academic mentorship, tenure and promotion decisions. She has published 312 peer reviewed articles. Her citation-based metrics: >28,047 total citations (H-index=76, 31 papers cited >200 times).
Our Program
The program runs for one year and is an Enhanced Skills Program that is accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Entry into the Palliative Care program is contingent on successful completion of the Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP).
2026 Palliative Care Residents and Program Directors
Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine Conference (2016)
The Palliative Care ward (1990s)
Program Highlights
Longitudinal rotation in Inner City Primary Palliative Care
Strong history of research and academic work with experienced research Mentors available
Comprehensive integrated palliative care program within the Edmonton Zone
Wellbeing program developed specifically for residents within this residency training program
Residency at a Glance
- The Tertiary Palliative Care Unit (TPCU) at the Grey Nuns Hospital (four months)
- Acute care consult Teams (2 months)
- Pain and Symptom Outpatient Clinic at the Cross Cancer Institute (6 weeks)
- Medical Oncology (2 weeks) and Radiation Oncology (2 weeks)
- The Community Consult Team including home visits (2 months)
- Longitudinal clinic in Inner City Palliative care
- Research (completion of a scholarly project is required and research Mentors from our group will be assigned to help provide additional resources and expertise)
The Seminar Series on core topics is scheduled so as to be mostly Completed within the first 6 months of your training. After this, you will continue to have a total of two half-days a week of protected academic time when you can focus on your scholarly project for the remainder of the year.
Teaching Hospitals
We are a fully accredited program that follows the guidelines set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Program Supports
- Wellbeing program developed specifically for residents in this program. It includes a series of seminars (the plan prior to covid was, ‘lunch and learn’) as well as a small number of dedicated Wellness days. It is led by a Psychologist in our group.
- A comprehensive fatigue-risk management policy specifically recognizing the impact of emotional and psychological fatigue in our field of palliative care
- A Mentorship program with a Mentor assigned within the first month of residency
- Research Mentorship
- A resident Representative on the RPC and regular meetings with the Program Director to ensure the Resident voice is both heard and represented
Frequently Asked Questions
Resident Testimonials
We asked our residents to share a few words about their experience in the Palliative Care residency program. Here is what a few of them had to say.
"Being a year out from my palliative care fellowship at the University of Alberta, I look back at the experience as deeply transformative. Aside from top tier clinical training by world class physicians, the fellowship emphasizes holistic growth through weekly professional development sessions, one-on-one mentorship, and structured scholarly projects. I would strongly recommend the fellowship to individuals who are passionate about caring for seriously ill patients and are interested in becoming a leader in the field of palliative care."
“During my residency, I was able to form strong professional relationships with both the faculty and fellow residents, who continue to be my colleagues and resource as a staff physician."
"For both the seasoned researchers as well as those who have never done research - the Edmonton Palliative Care Fellowship Program provides research opportunities for residents from all research backgrounds, allowing them to become skilled researchers if they choose to pursue it further in their career."
"Residents who complete their training at the Edmonton Palliative Care Fellowship Program will experience the entire spectrum of palliative care, including working at a tertiary palliative care unit, outpatient cancer centre as well as attending hospice and home visits. These experiences equipped me with the skills needed to practice palliative care in any type of setting."