Posted • Last updated
Closed
Commitment: One-time
Connection method: In-person
Open to Fraser – Vancouver Coastal
Last updated
Purpose
As a Patient Partner, you are invited to engage with BCIT nursing students by sharing your experience of supporting a family member, friend, or loved one through access to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada, ideally within the context of British Columbia.
By sharing the aspects of your story that you feel comfortable discussing – including your experiences, perspectives, emotions, challenges and reflections – you will help students connect classroom learning with the realities of patient- and family-centred care. Your lived experience will encourage students to develop empathy, strengthen their communication skills and reflect thoughtfully on the personal, ethical and relational complexities of serious illness, end-of-life care, and MAiD.
Students will have the opportunity to listen, ask respectful questions, and learn from your unique perspective, helping them better understand the experiences of patients and families as they prepare for their future roles as compassionate, person-centred nurses.
Date of Engagement: Thurs, Oct 8th, 2026
Format: Two in-person workshops (AM & PM); Patient Partners share their experiences, followed by Q&A/discussion. (repeat for 2nd afternoon workshop)
Time/Duration: 10 AM – 1 PM (each workshop is 1 to 1.5 hours)
Location: BCIT Burnaby Campus (3700 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby)
Selection Process: Reviewed by Nursing & IPE Faculty & Patient Partner Lead
Remuneration: Honorarium will be provided
Pre-Brief Session: 1 hour virtual session held 1-2 weeks prior to engagement.
Debrief: Immediately after engagement + follow-up 1-2 weeks after engagement for overall experience & feedback
Please note that this is an in-person engagement at BCIT Burnaby Campus on Thurs, Oct 8th.
There will be two classes (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). Patient Partners would need to repeat their stories for the 2nd class.
A 1-hour Prep Session will be held online, 1-2 weeks before the engagement.
Selected participants will be contacted directly and have an opportunity to meet with the nursing faculty prior to the workshop.
If interested, please submit your expression of interest by August 24th, 2026.
Learning Outcomes for Students
• Recognize the emotional, relational and psychosocial impacts of serious illness and end-of-life decision-making on patients, families and healthcare teams through the lens of lived experience.
• Demonstrate principles of person- and family-centred care by reflecting on how healthcare professionals can provide compassionate, culturally safe and respectful care during end-of-life experiences.
• Apply insights gained from the Patient Partner’s lived experience to inform future nursing practice, particularly in communication, empathy, advocacy and shared decision-making.
• Reflect critically on their own values, assumptions and emotional responses related to death, dying, grief and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and consider how these may influence professional practice.
Level of Engagement
This opportunity is at the level of Inform on the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation.Eligibility
- Willing & comfortable to share health care experiences in a group setting
- Comfort with public speaking
- Specific health care experiences [details below]
- The time to participate in the engagement opportunity
- Experience specifically related to the provision of MAiD in Canada
