Hospitalist Bob Wachter talks about the palliative care movement, its obstacles preventing it from being discussed in mainstream medicine, and how successful it has been in some medical institutions.
When done right, that is, embraced by doctors and supported by the hospitals, it makes a huge difference in the patient’s life and those of their families.
Dr. Wachter reflects on a recent clinical rotation where he was the attending physician. In two weeks, he had 5 out of 25 patients die, a 20 percent mortality rate. But within this backdrop, he “couldn’t be prouder of the way we managed the patients’ care, our communication with the patients and their families, and the tears that we’ve all shed along the way. At one point or another in virtually every case, family members hugged me, members of my team, or members of the PCS [Palliative Care Service] and thanked us for our wonderful care ““ this at the most horrible time in their lives. It is uniquely sobering and gratifying.”
Excellent post that’s well worth reading in its entirety.
topics: hospice, palliative care
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{ 1 comment }
Thanks for posting this Kevin. I had missed this in my reader. I agree this covers what palliative care can be for those who don’t see it in action every day.
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