Implementing Digital Symptom Monitoring and Clinical Decision Support in Palliative Care: Practical Lessons from Low-Resource and Remote Settings

This CHPCA Learning Institute session explores practical strategies for implementing digital tools to support symptom monitoring, care coordination, and clinical decision-making in palliative care. Drawing on the development and phased implementation of a mobile and web-based palliative care platform in low-resource and humanitarian settings, the session will highlight lessons that are transferable to rural, remote, and underserved communities in Canada.

Participants will examine how digital platforms can enhance patient-reported outcomes collection, improve communication between interdisciplinary teams, and strengthen continuity of care beyond the hospital setting. The session will focus not on technology alone, but on implementation: workflow integration, clinician engagement, digital literacy considerations, data governance, and ensuring equitable access.

The session is designed for clinicians, program leaders, educators, and system planners interested in virtual care models and digital innovation in hospice palliative care. Participants will engage in case-based discussions exploring real-world scenarios, including low-connectivity environments, caregiver engagement, and culturally responsive digital design.

Through facilitated discussion and small group exercises, attendees will identify practical steps for assessing readiness, adapting digital tools to their local context, and avoiding common implementation pitfalls. The session will also explore how structured digital data can support quality improvement, research, and service planning without increasing documentation burden.

Participants will leave with a practical framework for evaluating and implementing digital symptom monitoring tools in their own settings, whether urban, rural, or remote.At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify three key considerations when implementing digital symptom monitoring tools in hospice palliative care settings.
• Describe practical strategies for integrating digital tools into existing interdisciplinary workflows.
• Analyze common barriers to digital adoption in rural or underserved settings and propose mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate how patient-reported outcome data can support quality improvement and clinical decision-making.
• Develop a preliminary action plan for introducing or strengthening digital tools within their own organization.

Participants will leave with a practical framework for evaluating and implementing digital symptom monitoring tools in their own settings, whether urban, rural, or remote.

Implementing Digital Symptom Monitoring and Clinical Decision Support in Palliative Care: Practical Lessons from Low-Resource and Remote Settings
Monday, September 28th, 11:30am – 3:00pm (Eastern)

Ms. Diana Nabunje, Bachelors

Diana Nabunje Lubega is a software engineer, project manager, and social impact innovator based in Uganda. She leads digital health and technology initiatives at MRT IT PEAKS LIMITED, where she works on solutions that address critical community challenges. She is the lead behind mPallCare, a digital health platform improving access to palliative care in underserved communities across Africa.

Diana has collaborated with institutions such as the University of Leeds and the African Palliative Care Association, and has supported capacity-building for healthcare providers.

Beyond her professional work, she actively contributes to women and youth empowerment through mentorship, digital skills training, and innovation programs. Her work reflects a strong commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive and sustainable development.

Mr. Ivan Rukundo, Bachelors

Ivan Rukundo is a data analyst and technology professional with a strong interest in using data to drive impactful decision-making. At MRT IT PEAKS LIMITED, he contributes to the development of data-driven solutions, supporting projects that improve service delivery and system efficiency, including digital health innovations. He has experience in data collection, analysis, and visualization, helping teams translate complex data into actionable insights.

Ivan is passionate about leveraging data for social good, particularly in underserved communities, and is committed to continuous learning and innovation to support sustainable development across Africa.