End-of-life and palliative care providers are often called upon to help ease the burden of care for faraway family members. But it’s important to know about new technology that can bridge the gap and allow adult children, grandchildren, and siblings to be involved and in-the-loop. Communication devices, monitors, and even senior-oriented GPS tracking can all … Read moreHow Technology Can Bridge the Miles Between Family
Hospice nurse and social worker, Katie Ortlip, came to her writing partner’s, Jahnna Beecham, aid when her father was dying. The two wrote the bookLiving with Dying: A Complete Guide for Caregivers as an instruction guide to understanding the dying process as a caregiver. Read an excerpt of Jahnna’s story below to dive into a … Read morePoof! You’re a Caregiver
In September 2016, Netflix released an original documentary, “Extremis”; a 24-minute account of the end of life experience in an ICU setting. The AAHPM member featured in the documentary, Jessica Zitter, MD, recounts her journey to becoming a hospice and palliative medicine physician and her idea for the documentary. “In 2009, I realized the need … Read moreA One-On-One with Extremis’ Dr. Jessica Zitter
The National Quality Forum (NQF) held an in-person meeting in Washington, DC, May 10-11, 2016, to re-evaluate 16 palliative & end-of-life care performance measures. Information about the measures being evaluated, the NQF process, and the NQF Standing Committee roster can be found on the NQF website. AAHPM leaders Christine Ritchie, Paul Tatum, Gregg VandeKieft, and … Read moreAAHPM Represented at NQF Palliative and End-of-Life Care Meeting
By Gregg VandeKieft, MD MA FAAFP FAAHPM Co-chair, AAHPM Public Policy Committee The following is part of a three-post progressive blog about advance care planning, prompted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) decision not to pay for the new “complex” advance care planning codes in this year’s Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Now is … Read moreOrganizational Advocacy Key to Promoting Advance Care Planning… Now it’s Time for Individuals to Make Their Voices Heard!
There is much talk in health care, especially in the fields of palliative and end-of-life care about “Advance Care Planning.” And rightly so. For those with advanced illness, this process is critical to patients receiving the treatment they want and only the treatment they want. The process done well clearly improves patient’s perceived quality of … Read moreAdvance Planning: More Than Care Decisions
Since 2009, The Center for Innovation at Mayo Clinic has hosted a unique blending of design and medical professionals to hold a 3 day dialogue, at a deeper level, on innovations that shape new ways of providing medical care with over 8 countries and 21 states represented. There are over 125 businesses in attendance. As … Read moreMayo Transform Conference: Calling Out the End of Life Elephant in the Room
Letter to American Medical News January 6, 2012 Re: Handful of States Promise Physicians Online Access to Advance Directives, posted January 3, 2012 on amednews.com http://bit.ly/vFKMvx When very sick patients are unable to express their wishes toward the end of life, nothing is more heartbreaking for doctors and loved ones than not knowing what those … Read morePresident Crossno’s Letter to American Medical News
by Ruth Mugalian, Public Communications Inc. Read the full article about defining palliative care in the Winter issue of The Quarterly. When I talk about my work with hospice and palliative medicine specialists and why I enjoy it, I usually say something like this: “They’re doctors who take care of very sick patients. They relieve … Read moreWhat Is Palliative Care?
by Joanna Fief I’ve been hearing about the need for improved end-of-life care since I was a kid. My mom was a hospice nurse for many years and always talked about the importance of broader and earlier access to palliative care for patients and their families. I never dreamed my work would overlap with hers, … Read morePacific Northwest Ahead of the Curve in End-of-Life Care. Or Is It?