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Archive for October 2011

Terminal Velocity

October 31, 2011 | Author
Dying involves intense work that a patient has to do before they successfully pass away. Patients who are actively dying are suspended somewhere between the sleep and wake state. They gradually start losing ostensible responsiveness to sensory stimuli with touch being the last to go. The patient's breathing takes on a different rhythm and tenor. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Dying | 15 Comments »

Palliative Care and the Care Continuum

October 20, 2011 | Author
Twice a year I attend and present at conferences. I use this opportunity to network and see what non-wired clinicians are understanding as the "next big thing." Right now, the big news seems to be accountable care organizations (ACOs), electronic medical records (EMRs) and how to fit into the care continuum. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy | 1 Comment »

What Can Palliative Care Teach Industry About innovation?

October 17, 2011 | Author
It seems like one can’t look to the management literature without reading something about innovation. I’ve heard innovation referred to as the life-blood of industry and a core-competency for would-be leaders. It occurs to me that Palliative Care offers at least a few good lessons for would-be innovators. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, General | 5 Comments »

Pietà

October 13, 2011 | Author
And then, this morning, these eyes. Eyes that had seen so much, now saying so little. Eyes like searchlights sweeping a hospital room, lighting, in their passing, only shadows. His mother, so young herself, what, three, four, feet from his, her boy’s, hospital bed. Her own eyes, any mother’s eyes, this morning lidding sorrow. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in General, Humanistic medicine, Reflective practice, Veterans | 2 Comments »

Long Term Care of Older Americans

October 13, 2011 | Author
Great video about long term care options. May help clinicians unfamiliar with Geriatric care as well as families looking to better understand long term care. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Geriatrics | 2 Comments »

Life’s Best Invention?

October 11, 2011 | Author
Mr Jobs was an intensely private person, something I fully respect. Some hope that his upcoming biography will reveal more. One can only suspect, based on his approach to everything else in life, that in his dealing with cancer he was equally meticulous, innovative, and unorthodox.This article in NYT, says that he spent his last days at home, surrounded by family. He carefully chose those that wanted to visit him, and everyone else was either ignored or told to stop calling. He met with his biographer, he went to work when possible. He had dinners with his family. With all of his uniqueness, he was not unlike “everyone else”. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in dying and media, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 5 Comments »

Spiritual Well-Being and Quality of Life for Patients with Advanced Cancer

October 9, 2011 | Author
Soul care is the genuine and authentic recognition of the spirit of the person, coupled with compassion, the promise to help in whatever way possible, and a desire for a heartfelt understanding of the vulnerabilities and fears associated with illness. In the healing professions, soul care should be a part of every patient and family interaction Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Patient Centered Care, Psycho-social, Reflective practice, Spirituality | Comments Closed

“Don’t waste your time living someone else’s life.” Goodbye Steve Jobs.

October 6, 2011 | Author
Steve Jobs, the iconic Silicon Valley pioneer, passed away 10-6-2011 due to Pancreatic Cancer. Watch this 2005 Stanford Commencement Address by Mr. Jobs talks about life and mindful living. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Reflective practice | 2 Comments »

Mental Illness Awareness Week October 2-8, 2011

October 5, 2011 | Author

The first week of October marks Mental Illness Awareness Week. October 6 is specifically set aside as National Depression Screening Day. This day and week are of particular concern for the palliative care community. Psychosocial care is a key domain of palliative care, and it is important that providers, patients, and family members are aware that depression and anxiety are not inevitable in those with advanced physical illnesses. Treatments range from medications to psychotherapy to informal counseling or other methods.

Providers, how do you handle mental illness in your patients with advanced physical illnesses?

Posted in Psycho-social | 1 Comment »

Palliative Care State-by-State report

October 5, 2011 | Author

CAPC has just released a “report card”reflecting on the state of palliative care across the nation. THe report was created for the first time in 2008, and apparently as a nation since then we went from a C to a B. What it means in reality? I guess more quality palliative care programs across the nation.

Seven states and DC and got an A, more than half of the states are ranked B, and there are two that got an F. One can download the full report here or just look at specific state statistics.

 

Posted in Advocacy, Evidenced based medicine, Health economics, Research article | Tags: , | 2 Comments »

World Health Organization report on Palliative Care for Older Adults

October 3, 2011 | Author

Looking for a document to use to spread awareness of palliative care?

The World Health Organization has recently released a report entitled Palliative Care for Older People: Better Practices (2011). It provides an interesting review of palliative care services throughout Europe (including a description of integrated palliative care in four Eastern European countries), and it includes sections on dementia, palliative care in the nursing home, and family caregivers. Of special interest is the description of England’s End of Life Care strategy, which includes advance care planning and coordination of care across settings.

Posted in Education, Geriatrics | 6 Comments »
Can We Talk?
Watch and share this five minute video about the need for prophylactic end-of-life conversations. Laura Heldebrand, an ICU nurse tells her mother's story.
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