Lessons from Palliative Care informed the Creation of Whole Person Care at McGill

In 2011, our burgeoning palliative care team had the unique experience to spend a week learning from the palliative care teams of McGill University. During that week we learned about the Whole Person Care Program and subsequently invited the Director of Whole Person Care, Dr. Tom Hutchinson to Mayo Clinic to lead a workshop on … Read moreLessons from Palliative Care informed the Creation of Whole Person Care at McGill

Discovering Relief in Our Own Grief

Formal training in self-care is relatively uncommon in most medical disciplines. Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) specialty may be the exception. Grief if left unnamed can be a source of great pain, and as with any wound, if ignored, runs the risk of festering only to cause even greater discomfort and distress. Granek et al … Read moreDiscovering Relief in Our Own Grief

HPM Workforce Scenarios 2022: Hoping for the Best; Preparing for the Worst

by Larry Beresford The most comprehensive assessment of the hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) workforce shortage, conducted by Dale Lupu for AAHPM’s Workforce Task Force in 2010, estimated a gap of between 2,787 and 7,510 FTEs just to satisfy the current need for HPM physicians.[1] And that doesn’t count the coming tsunami of aging Baby … Read moreHPM Workforce Scenarios 2022: Hoping for the Best; Preparing for the Worst

Mayo Transform Conference: Calling Out the End of Life Elephant in the Room

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

McGill to Host World Renowned Palliative Care Experts

This year McGill will host the 19th International Congress on Palliative Care(ICPC) founded by McGill’s Emeritus Professor and Father of Palliative Medicine in North America, Dr. Balfour Mount. The congress is chaired this year by Dr. Anna Towers. This conference represents the oldest conference in the field, and is led by Dr. Bernard Lapointe, Eric … Read moreMcGill to Host World Renowned Palliative Care Experts

It is time for you to act! Help expand the palliative care workforce.

Yesterday, July 19, AAHPM’s efforts in crafting legislation aimed at expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary education and training in palliative care came to fruition when the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) was introduced in the United States Congress. The bill was introduced as S.3407 by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and as H.R.6155 … Read moreIt is time for you to act! Help expand the palliative care workforce.

The Best Care Possible: A Conversation with Dr. Byock

In his new book, Dr. Byock shares his refined, crisp, socially and politically attractive call to action for people of our country to join in a thoughtful dialogue about how we all care for each through the end of life. The Best Care Possible follows The Four Things That Matter Most and Dying Well as … Read moreThe Best Care Possible: A Conversation with Dr. Byock

Medical Marijuana: What Should Palliative Care Specialists Know?

by Chad D. Kollas, MD FACP FCLM FAAHPM Read the full article from the summer issue of AAHPM Quarterly. No matter where you live, if you’ve practiced palliative care long enough, one of your patients has asked you about medical marijuana. “Does it help pain? Does it help nausea or poor appetite? And, perhaps the … Read moreMedical Marijuana: What Should Palliative Care Specialists Know?