Bridging the Gap in Advanced Illness

Lunch will be provided to participants.

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Dr. Balu Natarajan, MD.

Relieving Pain and Suffering in Advanced Illness & Disease Progression

Patients with advanced illness often experience pain in multiple dimensions of their lives. Palliative Care takes a holistic approach to the assessment and treatment of pain. Beginning with the fundamentals, Cicely Saunders’ concept of total pain will be explained. The latest evidence and innovations in pain management and relief of suffering will be provided and illustrated through case discussions.

Learning Objectives

1. Define the concept of total pain in palliative care.
2. Describe assessment methods for the 4 dimensions of total pain.
3. Discuss intervention strategies for non-physical pain.
4. Explain pharmacological treatments for acute pain, persistent physical pain and breakthrough pain during illness progression.

Dr. Russell Hilliard, PhD, LCSW, LCAT, MT-BC, CHRC

Provider Support and Distress: Ethical Dilemmas

The ethics of care requires a delicate balance between the conventional practice of medicine and the wishes of the patient. While planning a patient’s care, not only should treatment options and likely outcomes be considered, but also the patient’s values, hopes, and beliefs. It is really dependent upon healthcare providers to inform patients and families of all treatment options to help them make an informed decision. This course discusses some of the ethical dilemmas that are faced by today’s healthcare provider while helping patients and families make an informed decision.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the 4 basic ethical principles.
2. Identify when withholding or withdrawing treatment is ethically sound.
3. Define “moral distress.”
4. Articulate the 4 A’s approach in reducing and addressing moral distress.
5. Recognize ways to resolve conflict within the plan of care.
6. Identify ways to navigate conflict

Dr. Joshua Hauser, MD

Challenging Conversations: Assessing a Patient/Family’s Goals for Care

For many hospitalized patients facing a health crisis, considering treatment goals and health care preferences can be overwhelming.
Patients and families are often confused by the choices in front of them. Health care professionals are challenged to help patients
navigate through these difficult choices while respecting their right to self-determination. Through interactive case discussions, participants will learn the fundamental components of successful family meetings and to support patients and families through this decision making process.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the ethical and legal context of care planning in hospitalized patients with advanced illness.
2. Describe the Respecting Choices Model of Patient Centered Family Decision Making.
3. Discuss how to prepare and conduct a successful family meeting.
4. Explain how to follow through on the decisions made.

Time	Program
7:30 AM – 8 AM	Registration
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM	Welcome & Introductions
8:15 AM – 10:15 AM	Calling the Marines: Cutting Edge Pharmacotherapeutic Pain Management at the End
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM	Break
10:30 AM – 12:30 AM	Provider Support and Distress: Ethical Dilemmas
12:30 AM – 1:30 AM	Lunch
1:30 AM – 3:30 AM	Ice to Eskimos: Making the Case for Hospice Care to a Death Averse Society
3:30 AM – 3:45 AM	Closing/Evaluations

Continuing Education: 6 CEUs Continuing Education Credits (CEUs/Clock Hours/Contact Hours/CMEs) will be awarded to Physicians, Nurses, and Social Workers who attend the entire presentation and complete an evaluation of the Bridging the Gap in Advanced Illness program. The program is geared toward the health care community, is open to the public, and is appropriate for all practice levels (applications pending approval).