Providing effective CF care
Nurturing a strong partnership with Canadian cystic fibrosis healthcare (CF) professionals to support excellence in CF clinical care has been an integral role for Cystic Fibrosis Canada since our founding in 1960.
Inter-disciplinary care at CF clinics
Cystic fibrosis (CF) clinics provide specialized inter-disciplinary care for individuals with cystic fibrosis. In Canada, there are 40 CF clinics, located in most major cities, each within a hospital setting, and many with a university affiliation. Through an inter-disciplinary care model, clinics are intended to provide patients with access to comprehensive CF care. CF clinics provide inpatient and outpatient services; at each outpatient clinic visit and during hospitalization.
People with CF are seen by various healthcare professionals. The interdisciplinary approach optimizes the care delivered by ensuring that the various needs of people with CF are met in one place through seamless interactions with specialized healthcare professionals. Regular interaction with all healthcare professionals enables convenient, comprehensive and coordinated care and promotes continuity of CF clinical care over the long term.
Cystic fibrosis is a disease that must be treated throughout the lifespan, and it is important that those living with CF develop a comfortable, trusting relationship with clinic personnel; this is associated with positive healthcare experiences and supports adherence to treatments.
CF Healthcare pros inform our work
We value the diverse perspectives of the cystic fibrosis healthcare community in the execution of our strategic directions. The knowledge and expertise of these professionals help us make informed decisions and develop evidence-based policies in our work.
Looking to learn more about our Healthcare Program? Connect with us at [email protected]
The Healthcare Advisory Council
The Healthcare Advisory Council is an advisory body that provides a forum for dialogue between Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the CF healthcare community. The council consists of representatives from all cystic fibrosis health disciplines as well as people with lived experience. The purpose of the Healthcare Advisory Council is to provide advice and make evidence-based recommendations to Cystic Fibrosis Canada on emerging clinical issues and trends, and the implementation of our healthcare programs.
The council is integral in the development of the National CF Standards of Care (coming soon!), clinical guidelines and all patient/caregiver and professional resources that are developed by CF Canada.
Current members
- Chair- Dr. Mark Chilvers, BC
CF Clinic Director, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver - Co chair- Jana Kocourek, ON
Program Director, Healthcare, Cystic Fibrosis Canada - Vice Chair- Dr. Valerie Waters, ON
CF Clinic Physician/Infectious Diseases Specialist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto - Dr. Patrick Daigneault, QC
CF Clinic Director, Centre Mère-Enfant Soleil du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City - Karen Doyle, NL
CF Clinic Nurse Coordinator/Nurse Practitioner, Janeway Children’s Health Centre/Health Sciences Centre (Paediatric and Adult), St. John’s - Ena Gaudet, ON
CF Clinic Nurse Coordinator, Ottawa General Hospital - Dr. Annick Lavoie, QC
CF Clinic Director, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal - Kenneth Wu, ON
CF Physiotherapist, St. Michaels Hospital, Toronto - Melissa Richmond, BC
CF Physiotherapist, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver - Eva Cho, BC
CF Pharmacist, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver - Pat MacDiarmid, BC
CF Social Worker, St. Paul's, Vancouver - Daina Kalnins, ON
CF Dietitian, The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto - Erin Fleischer, ON
CF Nurse Practitioner, London Health Sciences Centre - Danielle Weil, ON
CF caregiver
CF Clinical guidelines advisory groups
Cystic fibrosis care requires a multidisciplinary approach, therefore, in addition to the Healthcare Advisory Council, various clinician groups support and advise CF Canada’s clinical work. To identify clinical trends and priorities, we regularly partner with the following professional clinical committees: nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, dietetics, social work, CF physicians. The chairs of the committees are all members of the Healthcare Advisory Council (see above). These committees advise on and co-develop all clinical resources including clinical guidelines, standards of CF care and patient/caregiver resources.
Patient engagement has shown to inform clinical practice and can increase clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Clinical Standards of Care