Psych speaker series featuring Dr. Smith

The next installment of the Department of Psychology Speaker Series, featuresDr. Trevor Smith, discussingMood Disorder in Community-based Palliative Care, on Friday, March 6 at noon in room A-252. 
Dr. Smith is an associate professor and the Chair of Sociology. He specializes in the Canadian health care system; social gerontology; the sociology of health, illness and mental disorder; and social determinants of health.  His research interests include health services research, health informatics, stress and social support, palliative care, and social gerontology.

Here’s an abstract of his upcoming talk,Mood Disorder in Community-based Palliative Care:

Mood disorders (depression, anxiety) are common among persons in hospice and palliative care settings. However, a substantial proportion of the psychological and psychiatric morbidity that develops in palliative care settings may go unrecognized and untreated. Both care providers and persons receiving care may not recognize or draw attention to depressive symptoms in the context of physical ailments. The failure to screen for and respond to mood symptoms can result in a reduced quality of life for both the person receiving care and their significant others.

This presentation focuses on the identification, correlates and possible interventions to reduce depression and anxiety among individuals in palliative care and hospice settings. Analyses are based upon a standardized, comprehensive needs assessment – the interRAI Palliative Care.

In Ontario, the interRAI Palliative Care (interRAI PC) is mandated for use among all Community Care Access Centres for clients receiving palliative home care services. The presentation will (1) briefly introduce the interRAI Palliative Care assessment instrument to the audience and (2) provide examples of how the assessment is used to assist with client-centred care in the area of depression and anxiety.