One of my favorite events during the Annual Assembly each year is breakfast with the AAHPM Presidents – past, present and future. It’s a tradition that is meaningful to all who attend, although I suspect the reasons vary among the group. For our incoming president, Sean Morrison, this informal “coffee talk” provides an opportunity to … Read moreMy Breakfast with the Academy Presidents
Dr Periyakoil initially gave us the choice of either listening to her lecture, or of having her lead a group discussion. The group opted for the lecture but as it ended we were in a giant discussion, and we had all learned something about how not only their families, but our patients with Long Term … Read moreLong-Term Illness Discussion Inspires
Blog #2 from AAHPM consultant Dale Lupu So there were 26 AAHPM committees, task forces, and Strategic Coordinating Committees (SCC) working in 2009. Because so much of the work is “behind the scenes,” it may be mysterious to many Academy members. I’m going to try to pull back the curtain just a bit to give … Read moreThe unsung work of AAHPM committees
Makowski and Epstein presented a wonderful explanation of the differences between mindfulness and mindlessness. Mindfulness is purposeful with attention to one’s own mutual process during every day work with the goal of practicing clarity and compassion. I have to admit that being present totally takes a lot of work some days and the component of … Read moreJust Being
A view from AAHPM consultant – Dale Lupu There are really three conferences going on here at the AAHPM/HNPA annual assembly. I think most of you can readily identify two of them: the formal program as laid out in the program book, and the informal networking that occurs in the halls, restaurants, and standing in … Read moreThree Conferences in One
Diane Meier made a compelling case for the PC provider to be involved in the policy process. “The original sin”- of health care is that providers and patients determine what care is necessary with no regard to cost vs. benefit. We spend 16.2% of GDP on healthcare, but rank 40th in quality indices worldwide. And … Read moreWhy you should be involved in policy – More from Diane Meier
Sean Morrison set a fantastic vision for the ultimate goal for Palliative Care (PC) in the future: All patients will know what PC is and when to ask for it All providers will have the knowledge and skills to administer basic PC There will be the necessary infrastructure to deliver HIGH QUALITY PC. But as … Read morePolicy Goals
See prior post on Diane Meier and importance of language. So if you use the term supportive care you get more consults for your pall care program. There is a lot of misperception and bias associated with various names like pall care/hospice care/supportive care/comfort care. Yet the name that stuck with the public is death … Read morePlease help beat the Death Panel label
Language Matters. And misuse of language and misperception is a Major threat to us. What was the misperception: We are death panels and rationing and it was in the eyes of Professionals(our colleagues, the public, AND Policy Makers One implication of this: a grant was all but funded, had to be vetted in a Politicos … Read moreDiane Meier and language and policy-making
I thought I knew that the one certainty in life was Death and Taxes, but with the debates over health care reform and “Death Panels” I’m not even sure death is a certainty anymore, or at least that is the perception provided by the media sometimes. That said, isn’t it good to know Diane Meier … Read moreDiane Meier is working for you on Policy.