Today we had our Anatomy final but also listened to a guest speaker about palliative care. His presentation was phenomenal and extremely interesting. He made many points about patient-provider communication including talking about sensitive topics such as cancer metastases. He showed us a clip of an acted out a patient-provider conversation with a patient who found out her cancer had spread to her liver and her lungs. After watching the clip I noticed many great things about the physician and his approach. He reassured the patient that they would "get through it together" while still letting her express her natural emotions to the situation. He only gave her advice on her terms, like when she asked what to do next. He told us that if a patient is too emotional they will not able to focus on facts, plans or medical information. The poise that the provider demonstrated throughout the emotional moment was a wonderful example of how we should support patients in such situations.
Below you can check out their website about discussing "vital" information with a patient. The provider in the film is actually an MD at Duke Med and is part of "Vital Talk" which was originally called "Onco-Talk" since it was focused on oncology in its origin; now the group focuses on all types of life situations that may make it difficult to talk with a patient.
He also reminded all of us to talk with out loved ones about our wishes if something serious were to happen to us. It makes it easier on family and friends if they are at least aware of wishes in situations other than CPR such as situations that pertain to a ventilator, feeding tube, vegetative state, or even mental health changes. He mentioned a great website that has a simple form for friends and family to fill out to at least make each other aware of what our wishes are. The PDF on the website is not a legal document like an advanced directive, but it is a start to help us start the conversation about this with our loved ones. After talking about this in class I actually sent it to my mother and asked her to fill it out so that we could exchange forms and show one another what we want in case something serious happens. The link to the website for this type of form is below as well.
Finally, the speaker instructed us to remember that as we are caring for patients who are approaching the end of their lives that tension and stress will increase within the family and friends of the patient. When members are fighting and if feels like they are not able to agree on a decision he told us a great approach to help refocus everyone..."I see you really care about your loved one..." He stated that by acknowledging that they care about a patient you may be able to help them realize they are doing this for their loved one and now help them focus on a medical decision with the provider. All these situations are sticky and very fragile and no situation is the same as another, but simple listening skills and patience definitely goes a long way.
Below you can check out their website about discussing "vital" information with a patient. The provider in the film is actually an MD at Duke Med and is part of "Vital Talk" which was originally called "Onco-Talk" since it was focused on oncology in its origin; now the group focuses on all types of life situations that may make it difficult to talk with a patient.
He also reminded all of us to talk with out loved ones about our wishes if something serious were to happen to us. It makes it easier on family and friends if they are at least aware of wishes in situations other than CPR such as situations that pertain to a ventilator, feeding tube, vegetative state, or even mental health changes. He mentioned a great website that has a simple form for friends and family to fill out to at least make each other aware of what our wishes are. The PDF on the website is not a legal document like an advanced directive, but it is a start to help us start the conversation about this with our loved ones. After talking about this in class I actually sent it to my mother and asked her to fill it out so that we could exchange forms and show one another what we want in case something serious happens. The link to the website for this type of form is below as well.
Finally, the speaker instructed us to remember that as we are caring for patients who are approaching the end of their lives that tension and stress will increase within the family and friends of the patient. When members are fighting and if feels like they are not able to agree on a decision he told us a great approach to help refocus everyone..."I see you really care about your loved one..." He stated that by acknowledging that they care about a patient you may be able to help them realize they are doing this for their loved one and now help them focus on a medical decision with the provider. All these situations are sticky and very fragile and no situation is the same as another, but simple listening skills and patience definitely goes a long way.