Dignity Therapy is one of the most studied psychotherapeutic interventions for patients facing life threatening or life limiting conditions. This brief individualized approach is based on an empirical model of dignity in the terminally ill and addresses patients’ generativity needs as they move towards death. There have been scores of studies on Dignity Therapy, including various clinical trials and seven systematic reviews, all of which add to a growing body of evidence indicating that Dignity Therapy enhances end-of-life experience and provides benefits for family members who are generativity document recipients.

This webinar, presented by the originator of Dignity Therapy, will review the theoretical underpinnings of Dignity Therapy, and demonstrate how its form, content and tone each map onto the model on which it is based. The Dignity Therapy Question Framework will be reviewed, along with presentation of techniques that can be used to elicit rich and meaning responses that are then woven into patients’ generativity documents. Key therapeutic elements of the Dignity Therapy protocol will be described, by way of empirical evidence and case vignettes. The clinical practice of Dignity Therapy during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic will also be described, including reflections of referral patterns and technological adaptations.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the theoretical underpinnings of Dignity Therapy
  
• Identify key elements of the Dignity Therapy protocol
  
• Appreciating the therapeutic opportunities afforded by Dignity Therapy

About the Presenter:
Dr Harvey Max Chochinov, OC MD PhD FRCPC is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a Senior Scientist and CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute. His research provides an empirical basis for understanding and addressing palliative and end-of-life care experiences for patients and their families. His more than 300 career publications have broached diverse topics such as communication, depression, quality-of-life, suicide, vulnerability, spirituality, and existential distress towards end-of-life. He also has led a large program of research targeting issues related to dignity within the healthcare setting.

He is the co-founder of the Canadian Virtual Hospice, which is the world’s largest repository of web-based information and support for dying patients, their families and healthcare providers. He is the editor of The Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine (Oxford University) and co-editor of the journal Supportive and Palliative Care (Cambridge University Press). His book, Dignity Therapy: Final Words for Final Days was the 2011 winner of the Prose Award.

Dr. Chochinov has received top research awards from the Canadian Psychiatric Association, the Canadian Cancer Society, the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Care and the International Psycho-oncology Society; a lifetime achievement award from the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology and highest honour that can be bestowed by the Canadian Medical Association, the FNG Starr Award. He is an Order of Manitoba recipient and an Officer in the Order of Canada. In 2020, Dr. Chochinovwas inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Continuing Education:

This webinar is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for 1.5 CE hours.

Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and The Association for Death Education and Counseling. Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians
Amedco LLC designates this live and enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses
Amedco LLC designates this activity for a maximum of 1.50 ANCC contact hours.

Psychologists
Amedco LLC designates this activity for a maximum of 1.50 psychologist contact hours.

The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Counselors: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MO, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
MI:No CE requirements
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NE, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Addictions Professionals: AK, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY (outstate held)*, OK, OR, SC, UT, WA, WI, WY
MA / MFTs: Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Social Workers:AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, ME, MN, MO, NE, NH, NM, OR, PA, VT, WI, WY
* If the activity is heldlive in the state of NY, then direct addictions board is required, ie: NAADAC. If the activity is held outside NY, is virtual, enduring or remote, it is considered "outstate" and this reciprocity applies.

Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Amedco is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Amedco maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 GENERAL continuing education credits.

The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Social Workers:AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY
* WV accepts ASWB ACE unless activity is in live in West Virginia then an application is required.
The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Counselors: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MO, ND, NE, NM, NH, NV, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
AL / Counselors: Activities not providing NBCC approval may be approved by the Board for individual licensees upon receipt of acceptable documentation prior to the activity. Please send course details to your licensing board for approval BEFORE the event. No approvals afterward by the board.
The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NC, NE, NH, NM, NV, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
MA / MFTs: Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.
The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Addictions Professionals:AK, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MO, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, WA, WI, WV, WY

New York Board for Social Workers
Amedco SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0115. 1.50 hours.

New York Board for Mental Health Counselors
Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0061. 1.50 hours.

New York Board for Marriage & Family Therapists
Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0032. 1.50 hours.

New York Board for Psychology
Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0031. 1.50 hours.

ADA Statement
ADA accommodations will be made in accordance with the law. If you require ADA accommodations, please indicate what your needs are at the time of registration. We cannot ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification.

Grievances
If you would like to file a grievance, complaint or have questions, please contact ADEC at adec@adec.org.