Co-facilitation

Co-facilitation is a great way to share the responsibility of conducting the education program and enrich the experience, especially if your co-facilitator has a different background from you. For example, one facilitator may be more knowledgeable on medical aspects of palliative care and the other may have strengths in coping strategies. 

Co-facilitation is an important part of self-care. Having a co-facilitator means that you will have someone else to support you and debrief with; it adds diverse skills, experiences and ideas to the education program. Seeking a co-facilitator can take the program to a new level of effectiveness and support through this addition of skills and ideas. 

Other advantages of co-facilitation are that it allows the program to be conducted when you are away during holidays, illnesses and other disruptions and is a practical means of receiving feedback about one’s own effectiveness as a facilitator.  Where possible, the education sessions should be co-facilitated. 

Below are some important things to remember in order to ensure co-facilitation is successful and rewarding: 

• Make sure that each of you are clear about your roles and communicate this to the group
• Be aware of each other's respective strengths and weaknesses and work with these
• Take time before each education program begins to prepare
• Allow time for debriefing after completing the program
• Keep communication open between you, which can resolve any differences of point of view and avoid unwanted tension.

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