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A Strategy For Tackling A Difficult Conversation. Ravindra Maharaj MBBS, MSc (Dermatology), MRCP, ABIM (Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice and Palliative Medicine.). A Plug For Palliative Care. We help with symptom management.
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A Strategy For Tackling A Difficult Conversation. Ravindra Maharaj MBBS, MSc (Dermatology), MRCP, ABIM (Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice and Palliative Medicine.)
A Plug For Palliative Care • We help with symptom management. • We deal with difficult conversations e.g. code status, dealing with bad news. • The family meeting is our “Surgery.” • Hospice is a subset of Palliative Care. • Palliative Care can be involved at any stage of serious illness.
Existential What is Palliative Care? Spiritual Social Psychological Physical
Does Good Communication Matter? • Medical professionals have spent a great deal of time and effort to learn “the jargon.” • Research has shown that good communication is essential to our functioning.
Good Communication • Improves pt’s adjustment to illness. • Lessens pain/ physical symptoms. • Increases adherence to treatment. • Improves satisfaction with care. • Improved job satisfaction by staff. • Less stress and burnout.
Poor Communication • Increased use of ineffectual treatments. • Higher risk of conflict. • Less adherence to treatment.
Can Good Communication Be Learned? • YES! • Some people are born communicators but… • communication is a skill that can be learned and improved.
Breaking Bad News “Hopeis the power of being cheerful in circumstances we know to be desperate.” GK Chesterton (1874 - 1936) British Writer and Journalist.
How Do We Approach This? • SPIKES • NURSE • Tools that help prevent the dreaded…. • “FOOT IN MOUTH SYNDROME !”
How to Break Bad News: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Buckman
Empathic Statements • NURSE • Naming • Understanding • Respecting/Praising • Supporting • Exploring I Wish Statements
Summarize Strategize
Give info in “Bite sized”chunks. Check and recheck understanding. Be honest. Avoid Jargon.
Breaking Bad News over the Telephone.. • Setting: “Are you driving?” • Invitation : “Can you talk on the telephone now?” • Pre-warning is a plus.
Eliciting Concerns • F- Function: • How is this illness afftecting you/your family? • I- Ideas: • What do you think is causing this? • F- Feelings: • How are you coping with all of this? • How do you feel? • E: Expectations: • What worries you about the future? • What are your hopes?
Tough Times Transitions in Care Goals Transitions Heroes Denial
“Be careful with that family.” • Reach for the NURSE toolbox! • Usually the big obstacle to processing COGNITIVE data is an EMOTIONAL issue. • Do not expect to get any further until you address the emotional component.
Don’t Forget Self Care! • Debrief with Team member. • If a conversation is not going as expected, get help! • Even with excellent communicators, there are the few individuals who may make decisions that we may not fully comprehend/ agree with.
References • Back A,Arnold R: Mastering Communication with Seriously Ill Patients. Balancing Honesty with Empathy and Hope.Cambridge University Press.2009. • Emanuel LL,Librach SL: Palliative Care; Core Skills and Clinical Competencies.Saunders Elsevier. 2007 • Thanks to Dr Toby Campbell for selected PowerPoint slides.