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.
Have you ever been in a room of like-minded individuals who share the same passion? It is an invigorating and energizing experience! Hi, my name is Cindy Bell and I am the Blogger for the pre-session Research in Children with Advanced Illnesses: Advancing the Field Together. There were several experts who presented and many more … Read moreResearch in Children with Advanced Illnesses: Advancing the Field Together
What an enjoyable and totally painless experience attending this lecture turned out to be. Stefan Freidrichsdorf was entertaining as well as completely knowledgeable about this subject. His use of movie clips to illustrate a point was unique; his case study was compelling. The case study had multiple elements that lent themselves to illustrated several points … Read moreManaging Neuropathic Pain in Palliative Care
Roshi Joan Halifax is no longer afraid of getting what the dying have because she has recognized she’s already got it. We are all mortal. Both as a Zen priest and medical anthropologist she has paid 40 years of close attention to the marginalized position of the dying. At Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe … Read moreCompassionate and Mindful End-of-life Care: A Relational-Contemplative Approach for Clinicians
Julie Bruno, AAHPM Director of Education, started the morning plenary session with a reminder that “life happens” at preconference workshops just as it does in real life, so one of the session speakers had to attend to a family health matter. The schedule was therefore rearranged a bit to provide the two remaining faculty time … Read moreHospice Medical Director Course: A seamless Presentation of Material
This is a belated entry – I couldn’t get in to post last night, but still wanted everyone to know about the great action in the AAHPM exhibit hall! It’s 9:20 and I’m just returning to my hotel room after a long and exciting day at the AAHPM Annual Assembly. I missed the pre-conferences but … Read moreExhibit Hall Action
In looking at the gifts we have been given that we have not opened yet in our everyday activities and practices, it is good to still ponder with awareness that there is something else possible. In doing so I had not thought about bringing in the meditative practice not only for myself but for my … Read moreContemplative Interventions
How would you triage patients to get life-saving care or not in a lethal epidemic? What kind of care would your hospice patients continue to get? What is the role of the HPM specialist in a mass casualty event? Come to Room 309 at 12:15 today for Pandemic Palliative Care: Time to Plan. See you … Read moreTriaged to “comfort care only” in a pandemic means…?
Billing and Coding is complex and certainly NOT a core medical competency for most doctors. The Precourse discussion by Martha Twaddle, Janet Bull and Christopher Acevedo was both timely and enlightening. Here are some of the salient points from the talk: Look at complexity BEFORE coding Time!! If the clinician bills only on time you … Read moreCoding and Billing… I finally see the LIGHT!