Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative

Now available! The Palliative Care Road Map 

The Palliative Care Roadmap (PDF) is a publication to help patients, and the people they love sort through the experience of serious illness and conditions. Healthcare teams may find it a useful tool for assisting their patients. Each section offers empathy and information to help make sense of how serious illnesses and conditions unfold over time, with listed resources and key terms defined.

The Palliative Care Roadmap was developed by a diverse team of palliative care experts, funded by the Washington Legislature through the efforts of the WA Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and patterned after the Dementia Care Roadmap in a process facilitated by the Washington State Department of Health. Available as an online publication, the Palliative Care Roadmap may also be ordered as a published booklet by logging in or creating a MyPrintDesk account and searching for the title.

The Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative (WRPCI) is a pilot effort to better serve patients with serious illness in rural communities. Led by the Washington State Office of Rural Health at the Washington State Department of Health, this public-private partnership involves over 24 different organizations to assist rural health systems and communities to integrate palliative care in multiple settings, such as emergency department, inpatient, skilled rehabilitation, home health, hospice, primary care, and long-term care.

Seven rural communities are currently participating in the Initiative. The Washington State Office of Rural Health team is linked to efforts in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with technical assistance and funding from Stratis Health, pioneers in rural palliative care. The project also had funding support from Amerigroup/Anthem. WRPCI prepared a summary report on the first year of telehealth activities.

The WA Rural Palliative Care Initiative is pleased to welcome nine new communities to the new Cohort 2: Anacortes, Clarkston, Davenport, Ellensburg, Elma, Goldendale, Port Angeles, San Juan Islands and Stevens County.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized care for people living with serious illness. Care is focused on relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness and treatment—whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve and sustain quality of life for the patient, loved ones and other care companions. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with active treatment. Palliative care facilitates patient autonomy, access to information, and choice. The palliative care team helps patients and families understand the nature of their illness, and make timely, informed decisions about care.

WRPCI Handbook: Please explore the Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative Handbook to learn more about the framework of this initiative.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

• January 26: Advanced Skill Building for Complex Care Conversations for Families
  • Webinar Recording
• February 23: Advanced Skill Building for Complex Care Conversations for Colleagues
  • Webinar Recording
• March 22: Complex Conversations Training at the Northwest Rural Health Conference   ​​​​​​​
  • Registration
  • Scholarships

How can other rural communities get involved?

• Please contact Pat Justis for more information.

• This portal has resources intended to help a wider group of rural health communities and organizations.

Learn more about the Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative.