Suffering is in the Eyes of the Beholder

A recent morning brought the news that 29 year-old Brittany Maynard had ended her life rather than continue what she perceived to be intolerable suffering from an incurable brain tumor. About an hour later I watched a sports report on college freshman, Lauren Hall who the previous day fulfilled her dream of playing in a … Read moreSuffering is in the Eyes of the Beholder

Spirituality + Religion? Spirituality vs. Religion? Spirituality includes Religion?

Discussion around spirituality and religion are more evident and public in our academic circles and in our society in general. A good thing I believe. A stroll through my Twitter feeds this morning yielded an article about a legal challenge in New York State to the tax exempt status of a pagan group presumably in … Read moreSpirituality + Religion? Spirituality vs. Religion? Spirituality includes Religion?

Highlights of the October Issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Listed below are a few articles from the most recent issue of the journal: Promoting Evidence in Practice Multidisciplinary Management of Cancer Pain: Commentary on Chen et al. Julie Waldfogel and Sydney M. Dy Normal Vital Signs as Death Approaches: Commentary on Bruera, et al. Jay R. Thomas Original Articles Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist-Led … Read moreHighlights of the October Issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Insights on IOM’s Dying in America Report

For patients and their loved ones, no care decisions are more profound than those made near the end of life. For the millions of Americans who work in or with the health care sector—including clinicians, clergy, caregivers, and support staff—providing high-quality care for people who are nearing the end of life is a matter of … Read moreInsights on IOM’s Dying in America Report

What is the difference between Coaching, Mentoring, Counseling, Training and Managing?

by William “Marty” Martin, PsyD MA MPH MS CHES ACPE faculty member William “Marty” Martin presented a focused session on Coaching and Mentoring at the AAHPM Leadership Forum: Ascend program, September 14-16, 2014. AAHPM Ascend is a new intensive program included in the AAHPM’s comprehensive new Leadership Forum. Palliative care/hospice leaders must be able to … Read moreWhat is the difference between Coaching, Mentoring, Counseling, Training and Managing?

Hospice Deprescribing and Goals-of-Care Discussions

Shaida Talebreza, MD HMDC Editor’s note: In the fall 2014 Quarterly Clinical Pearls Article “Goals-of-Care Discussions for Deprescribing,” Dr. Talebreza shares ways (and even a sample script) for healthcare providers to engage patients in decision making regarding medication deprescribing. The following is a tool, created by Dr. Talebreza, to help hospice professionals to determine the … Read moreHospice Deprescribing and Goals-of-Care Discussions

Influence Requires Empathy

By Kevin E. O’Connor, CSP ACPE faculty member Kevin E. O’Connor, CSP, will present focused sessions on Relationship Building and Change Management at the AAHPM Leadership Forum: Ascend program, September 14-16, 2014. AAHPM Ascend is a new intensive program included in the AAHPM’s comprehensive new Leadership Forum. “The greatest problem in communication is the assumption … Read moreInfluence Requires Empathy

Why Focus on Goals When Coaching?

by William “Marty” Martin, PsyD MA MPH MS CHES ACPE faculty member William “Marty” Martin will present a focused session on Coaching and Mentoring at the AAHPM Leadership Forum: Ascend program, September 14-16, 2014. AAHPM Ascend is a new intensive program included in the AAHPM’s comprehensive new Leadership Forum. “A dream is just a dream. … Read moreWhy Focus on Goals When Coaching?

Highlights of the September Issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Listed below are a few articles from the most recent issue of the journal: Relationship Between Symptom Burden, Distress and Sense of Dignity in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Karin Oechsle, Marie Carlotta Wais, Sigrun Vehling, Carsten Bokemeyer, and Anja Mehnert Nurse and Physician Barriers to Spiritual Care Provision at the End of Life Michael J. … Read moreHighlights of the September Issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management