C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative

What’s a pearl you’ve learned from a palliative care colleague?

"Advance directives are like formal evening wear. You gotta take them out once a year to make sure they still fit!" -Dr. Ambereen Mehta, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Takeaway

“Talk less, listen more.” -Dr. Mariah Robertson, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | November 6, 2020 | <1 min read

Highlights

Mariah Robertson, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I learned from Dr. David Wu that goals of care conversations are best done in a narrative fashion rather than a scripted algorithm that leads to the clinician talking more. Approaching the conversation with the patient story at the center ensures you know what matters most. Talk less, listen more.

Joseph Carrese, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It’s never too early to start a dialogue about goals of care.

What do you think?

Do you want to add to the conversation? Please share!

Ambereen Mehta, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I learned a beautiful analogy that advance directives are like formal evening wear. You gotta take them out every time there’s a big event or at least once a year and try them on to make sure they still fit!

Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

I learned about the value of “I wish…” statements from @KtNeuendorf. This is a kind and sensitive way to talk with patients about advanced illness.

David Hellman, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I learned to ask, “Is there anything more you want to tell me about you as a person so I can take best care of you?”

Paul O'Rourke, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The importance of listening first and foremost. The patient and their story should always be the center of the conversation.

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I learned to approach conflict between family and healthcare teams with curiosity and humility.

Lauren, Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist, Canada

Don’t just do something, stand there!

Kshitij Thakur, MD, University of Kentucky

Communication skills

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Think about all of the ways to improve quality of life.