Advance Care Planning: A Tool for Healthcare Empowerment
Published March 30, 2022
Reading Time: 4 minutes The onslaught of COVID-19 cases early in the pandemic derailed the process of shared decision making in healthcare by forcing in-the-moment medical decisions. The pandemic elucidated how health can deteriorate suddenly and unexpectedly, driving a call to action for individuals, families, and providers to initiate advance care planning (ACP) discussions and ensure end-of-life care wishes[…]
Recent Clinical Research in Palliative Care: 5 Key Takeaways
Published January 27, 2022
Reading Time: 3 minutes Palliative care is defined as medical care that is focused on relieving the symptoms associated with a chronic or life-threatening illness. It can be offered along with curative treatments at any stage of illness to provide comfort and support. It also includes guidance making important medical decisions and assistance with coordination of care. The goal[…]
Can the COVID-19 Pandemic Improve Advance Care Planning in Primary Care?
Published August 20, 2021
Reading Time: 2 minutes The COVID-19 pandemic can cause serious illness in anyone, and therefore primary care clinicians must be equipped to address advance care planning (ACP) with their patients. There are numerous barriers that prevent ACP discussions in primary care settings, including physicians’ comfort with the topic, and insufficient time with patients. In order to address some of[…]
Recent Clinical Research on Advance Care Planning: 7 Key Takeaways
Published July 12, 2021
Reading Time: 4 minutes Advance care planning (ACP) is defined as “a process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future medical care. The goal of advance care planning is to help ensure that people receive medical care that is consistent with their values,[…]
Research Update: Hospice Advanced Cancer Video Study
Published August 17, 2020
Reading Time: 2 minutes Although the benefits of hospice include high-quality end-of-life care for patients, lower caregiver depression and complicated bereavement, and less aggressive and costly care at the end of life, patients and their caregivers have substantial misperceptions regarding hospice, which contributes to its underuse. Only approximately 40-50% of patients in the United States die while under hospice care,[…]