This informative talk by Drs. Goldstein and Anderson was a well-paced informative synopsis of 8 important peer-reviewed articles and how the findings can be applied to our patients. I will refrain from citing the actual articles and authors as those can be easily found in the downloaded handouts. I will summarize take home point and … Read moreState of the Science
Healthcare Reform… TIME TO ACT! WE (that means- you, your friends, anyone who cares about Hospic & Palliative Medicine and I) need to be involved in healthcare reform. Doing nothing is not an option! Questions to ponder as you peruse this Blog Entry…. (As always comments are HIGHLY encouraged…) Are you aware, many States are … Read moreHealthcare Reform… Time to Act…
We as hospice and palliative medicine professionals have been largely focused on the former public health crisis in our training and practice as well as research endeavors to improve pain assessment and management. The FDA has expanded authority given in 2007 to focus attention on the public saftey issues related to the significant increase in … Read moreTwo competing public health crises: the undertreatment of pain AND the increase in opioid related deaths
This was an extremely helpful session for those of us doing the number crunching for our programs. There were new ideas to help calculate the impact of different (pre- and post-palliative care intervention) hospital utilization patterns. Look for the slides on-line!
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