Douglas College is partnering with the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) to further end-of-life education in Canada.
The College’s End-of-Life Doula (EOLD) course will count as elective credits for uOttawa students in the university’s newly launched End-of-Life Studies microprogram, which focuses on the psychosocial, cultural, religious and historical perspectives of grief, death and dying.
Designed for family caregivers, health-care professionals, hospice and palliative care workers, and those interested in understanding the complexities of death and dying, Douglas’s EOLD course complements the academic study of mortality with real-world applications.
"With Canada's aging population, end-of-life doulas perform a valuable role in terminal care," said Jennifer Mallmes, EOLD instructor at Douglas College. "This partnership between Douglas and uOttawa means furthering knowledge and skills in compassionate care across the country."
Since 2016, the EOLD course has taught over 3,000 students how to provide the best-possible care and support for people nearing the end of their lives. Students learn how to develop care plans, respond appropriately to grief, facilitate family meetings and teach self-care practices.
“End-of-life doulas provide an invaluable service. While end of life is certain for all of us, doulas support individuals and their family in making decisions that best meet their wishes,” says Pam Cawley, Dean of Health Sciences at Douglas College. “Douglas College's course provides opportunities for those looking to work as an independent doula or work in other end-of-life care positions.”
This new partnership will contribute to evolving perspectives of death in Canada and will equip students in the program with skills to compassionately support those navigating their end-of-life journey.
“The inclusion of Douglas’s EOLD course allows our students to engage deeply with essential aspects of end-of-life care, offering them a profound understanding of death, dying and compassionate, non-medical support,” said Dr. Anne Valley, Associate Professor of Classics and Religious Studies at uOttawa.
Registration is now open for Fall 2025 course offerings.
Contact
Elizabeth Douglas
Communications Officer