Cancer Patient Education Network – Canada

(CPEN-Canada) 

Terms of Reference (Draft –May 04 2005)

Mission Statement

CPEN-Canada promotes effective patient education as an integral component of quality cancer care for patients and families across Canada.

Vision Statement

CPEN-Canada has the vision to empower cancer patients and families to actively participate in their cancer care by helping them to receive the right information, at the right time and in the right way.  It strives to accomplish these educational objectives by supporting and inspiring cancer care providers across Canada. 

Primary Objectives of CPEN-Canada

(1)   Create awareness of the need for quality patient education to be provided by caregivers.

(2)   Develop national guidelines and standards for the development, implementation, management and evaluation of high quality patient education programs and materials.

(3)   Identify quality indicators for the provision of cancer patient education in Canada

(4)   Promote and support the development, implementation, management and evaluation of high quality patient education programs and materials.

(5)   Facilitate communication and resource sharing among cancer patient educators in Canada.

(6)   Mentor health care professionals and care providers to effectively educate others throughout the continuum of cancer care

(7)   Develop methods to help each other meet the growing challenges of educating a diverse patient population with wide ranges of age, culture, language, education, ability and socioeconomics. 

(8)   Promote and support research in cancer patient education as the foundation for enhancing current programs and materials and for proceeding with new initiatives.  

(9)   Advocate for institutional allocation of funding for essential cancer patient education programs and materials in all cancer facilities.

(10)  Improve patient and health outcomes by helping provide comprehensive cancer patient education across Canada. 

Membership 

Membership in CPEN-Canada is open to:

(A)     All health care professionals who have an interest in cancer patient education

(B)      Volunteers in organizations who participate in cancer patient education

(C)     Cancer patients who embrace the mission of CPEN-Canada “to promote excellence in patient education”

To support the network, a small membership fee will be charged to category A members.

As a member you will receive:

·        Access to the members-only portion of CPEN-Canada’s website

·        The opportunity to attend the national conference at a reduced rate

·        The chance to exchange ideas and resources with others working in cancer patient education

·        The option to be involved in special interest groups for research and/or developments

Members are expected to:

·        Respond to inquires from CPEN-Canada

·        Disseminate information for CPEN-Canada to all interested parties within their organization

·        Participate in CPEN-Canada’s listserve

·        Inform CPEN-Canada of changes in contact information

Steering Committee Composition  

The steering committee is composed of the following members: 

·        Past Chairperson

·        Current Chairperson

·        Chairperson Elect

·        Committee Chairpersons (responsibilities defined as committee progresses)

·        A minimum of 4 members at large

·        CAPCA representative

The CAPCA representative is selected by the CAPCA executive committee.

The Officers and Board Members and length of their terms shall be:

• Chair-Elect - A one-year term
• Chair - A one year term
• Past Chair -  A one year term

 Therefore, the Chair position shall entail a three year commitment including one year each as Chair-Elect, Chair and Past Chair.  All of the other committee members are expected to accept and share the other committee duties.

Steering Committee Responsibilities

(1)   Communicate together regularly to direct CPEN-Canada through the process of meeting its objectives.

(2)   Communicate regularly with the whole membership of CPEN-Canada to keep all members informed and involved.

(3)   Plan, coordinate and host annual general meetings for the general CPEN-Canada membership.

(4)   Manage the business and affairs of the education network.

(5)   Work closely with CAPCA to achieve and maintain national recognition and credibility and to maximize the opportunities to accomplish objectives within their national structure.