A new way to practise and strengthen palliative care communications skills
Essential conversations are the ongoing discussions health care professionals have with patients and families about what matters most to them, changing care needs, uncertainty, and difficult decisions. They happen throughout the illness journey, from everyday interactions to emotionally challenging situations.
Navigating these conversations effectively and compassionately requires the ability to listen, respond to emotions, recognize important cues and adapt communication as circumstances change. LEAP Core Communications provides opportunities for health care professionals to develop and strengthen these skills through practical, experiential learning and realistic conversation practice.
Who is it for?
LEAP Core Communications is ideal for any registered health care professional, such as a physician, nurse, pharmacist, social worker, and more, who have already taken foundational training in the palliative care approach and are looking to strengthen their communication skills.
See the AI-powered simulation experience in action
November 12, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. ET
Join us for an upcoming webinar to get an inside look at our new AI-powered simulations. Explore the new Pallium Palliative Care Conversations Framework, see a live demonstration, and discover how the course helps health care professionals practise and strengthen their communication skills.
Course features
Four interconnected, AI-powered conversations featuring responsive patient and family avatars.
An evidence-informed framework provides an adaptable approach to guide challenging palliative care conversations.
A safe learning environment to practise, reflect, and explore different communication approaches.
Personalized feedback supports reflection and skill development.
Practical communication tools, strategies and takeaway resources that apply in everyday care.
Earn a nationally recognized LEAP certificate of completion.
Four interconnected, AI-powered conversations featuring responsive patient and family avatars.
An evidence-informed framework provides an adaptable approach to guide challenging palliative care conversations.
A safe learning environment to practise, reflect, and explore different communication approaches.
Personalized feedback supports reflection and skill development.
Practical communication tools, strategies and takeaway resources that apply in everyday care.
Earn a nationally recognized LEAP certificate of completion.
Delivery mode
Complete approximately two hours of flexible, self-paced learning through two components:
- Self-learning module: Learn about the Pallium Palliative Care Conversations Framework and how to implement practical communication strategies and techniques to support essential conversations with patients and families. Receive takeaway resources that can be applied immediately in everyday care.
- Interactive simulations: Put your learning into practice through four interconnected, AI-powered conversations. Navigate evolving clinical and family situations, explore different communication approaches and receive personalized feedback to strengthen skills.
Course fee
$149.00 for all
Contact us to learn more about offering LEAP Core Communications to your team.
AI-powered simulation experience
LEAP Core Communications introduces an innovative new way to practise palliative care conversations through realistic, AI-powered simulations.
Across four interconnected conversations, you will engage with María and her family as her health, care needs and family circumstances evolve. Unlike traditional scripted scenarios, the characters respond dynamically to your words and communication approach, creating opportunities to navigate changing emotions, differing perspectives and uncertainty, all within a safe, supportive learning environment.
The simulations are grounded in the new, evidence-informed Pallium Palliative Care Conversations Framework, which provides a flexible approach to navigating essential conversations. After each conversation, you’ll receive personalized feedback to help you reflect on your communication and identify opportunities for improvement. You will have two opportunities to complete each conversation, allowing you to apply the feedback, explore different approaches and strengthen your skills.
Course contributors
LEAP courses are developed and peer-reviewed by volunteer pan-Canadian teams of subject matter experts who are committed to promoting the palliative care approach.
Course leads
- Elisabeth Antifeau, MScN, RN, GNC(c)
- Raquel Meyer, PhD, RN
Subject matter experts and reviewers
- Sandra Andreychuk, NP, BScN, MSc, MHSc
- Janet Elder, RN, BScN, CHPCN (C), IDD PCN
- Francyelle Fernandez RN(EC), NP-Adult, MN, BScN
- Stacey Freemantle
- Gabrielle Hyatt, BScN, RN, CHPCN(C)
- Valerie Jensen, DNP, RN
- Stacey Lau, BSN, RN
- Nale Mbewe, RN
- Barbara Pernsky, RN, HBScN, NP, MHS
- Shannon Richard, RN, BScN, MClSc, CHPCN(C)
- Tammie-Lee Rogowski, RN, CHPCN, CCHN
- Ifrah Shire, MN, RN, CRN
- Kerry-Ann St-Jean, RN
- Andrea Wappett, RN, BScN, CHPCN(C)
- Kristina Wright, RN
Key LEAP features
Pallium’s award-winning suite of LEAP courseware transforms health care practice across all settings of care, through practical, interprofessional and evidence-based palliative care training.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of palliative care conversations will I learn to navigate?
The course focuses on essential conversations that happen throughout the palliative care journey. These include responding to emotions and uncertainty, discussing changing care needs, exploring patient and family concerns, and navigating difficult decisions. Learners gain practical communication strategies and tools they can apply in everyday clinical practice.
How do the AI-powered simulations work?
You will take part in four interconnected conversations with AI-powered avatars of a patient and her family. The avatars respond to your words and communication approach, and the family’s situation changes from one conversation to the next, so you practise adapting as needs and emotions shift. After each conversation, you will receive personalized feedback on your strengths and areas to build on.
Do I need to take another LEAP course first?
No. There are no formal prerequisites for LEAP Core Communications. However, the course is designed for regulated health care professionals who already have a foundational understanding of palliative care principles. We recommend completing a LEAP course, or equivalent training, before enrolling.
How is LEAP Core Communications different from the Canadian Serious Illness Conversations (CSIC) course?
The two courses complement each other. LEAP Core Communications covers the wider range of ongoing conversations in palliative care, using the Pallium Palliative Care Conversations Framework and AI-powered practice to help you adapt to changing needs, emotions, family dynamics and clinical situations. The Canadian Serious Illness Conversations course from Pallium Canada teaches the Serious Illness Conversation Guide, a structured approach to discussing a patient’s values, goals and care preferences.
Will I earn a certificate or continuing education credits?
Yes. You will earn a nationally recognized LEAP certificate of completion.
Can my organization host this course or train our team?
Yes. Organizations can offer LEAP Core Communications to their teams as way to build communication capacity across care teams and support more consistent, person-centred care.
Contact us to learn more about offering LEAP Core Communications to your team.
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