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What Really Matters At the End of life

What Really Matters At the End of life. Karen M. Wyatt, MD Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference May 1 5, 2013. Disclosure:. I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this presentation. Objectives: At the end of the presentation participants will be able to:.

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What Really Matters At the End of life

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  1. What Really Matters At the End of life Karen M. Wyatt, MD Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference May 15, 2013

  2. Disclosure: I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this presentation.

  3. Objectives: At the end of the presentation participants will be able to:

  4. Who am I and why am I talking about spirituality? Family practice physician Many years of experience as hospice medical director Storyteller and writer Lifelong seeker of spiritual wisdom

  5. Artwork by Robert Pope By Permission from the Robert Pope Foundation

  6. Robert Pope1956-1992 Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 25 Themes: Light vs. Dark Life vs. Death Windows as symbols of spirituality “His paintings portray an inner light that guides, a beauty that cannot be erased, and a love that redeems…”

  7. What doctors need to learn about death and dying

  8. 1. Death is inevitable.

  9. 1. Death is inevitable.2. Death is a mystery.

  10. 1. Death is inevitable.2. Death is a mystery.3. Death makes life more precious.

  11. 4. Dying provides an opportunity for transformation.

  12. End of LifeTransformation Love Forgiveness

  13. End of Life Transformation Living Fully in Every Moment Meaning and Purpose

  14. How do we define SPIRITUALITY?

  15. Paul Tillich: Spirituality is defined as one’s“ultimate concern”

  16. Therefore: Your spirituality is personal and is comprised of whatever “really matters” to you Everyone is spiritual because everyone has an ultimate concern

  17. For some patients the ultimate concern is a religion…

  18. For some … it’s baseball.

  19. Why should doctors address the spiritual needs of patients?

  20. Pope: Illness is a Spiritual Experience

  21. Illness… Breaks down ego defenses Strips away all pretenses Confronts us with the unknown Creates a crisis of meaning Allows an opportunity for transformation

  22. The Science of Medicine Often loses sight of the patient’s inner needs Creates a “battle scene” in which the patient is at war with his or her own body, mind and spirit Cannot help the patient make sense of tragedy or loss

  23. How can we best help our patients with their spiritual needs?

  24. How to Help Our Patients Treat their physical suffering and be mindful of their emotional and spiritual suffering, as well Treat them with compassion and dignity Be fully present

  25. How to Help Our Patients LISTEN to their stories Help them discover their own truth (and never impose our beliefs) Be resourceful and creative

  26. We Are Healers We can be agents of change for our patients, our society and our planet by: Honoring the sacred processes of illness, healing and death Helping our patients see the opportunities that lie within their diffiuclties

  27. Thank you for this opportunity to share stories and thoughts with you! May you be blessed in your healing work! Karen Wyatt MD Email address: kwyattmd@comcast.net Website: www.karenwyattmd.com

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