Providence Portland: Advanced Focus in Palliative Care
Providence Portland: Advanced Focus in Palliative Care
TRAINING MINDS - TRANSFORMING LIVES
Responsible Faculty: Marian Hodges, M.D.
Palliative medicine is the care of patients with life-threatening illness for whom the focus of care is on quality of life through management of physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social symptoms or issues. It is an interdisciplinary practice that emphasizes advance planning and ongoing care and support, rather than crisis intervention. The curriculum is based on the substantial body of knowledge now available in this field.
The goal is to develop physicians who are knowledgeable, competent and compassionate practitioners. The following elements are considered key for effective palliative care and are emphasized in the curriculum.
Assessing and controlling pain and other symptoms
Recognizing and alleviating psychological and spiritual distress
Communicating effectively with patients and family members
Understanding relevant ethical dilemmas in palliative medicine and having tools to make ethical decisions
Participating effectively in interdisciplinary teams
Cultivating empathy and sensitivity to religious, ethnic, cultural, and other differences
Managing imminent death
Palliative care crosses all settings of medicine and residents apply the above principles to the inpatient setting, the continuity outpatient clinic, hospice, and home care. In addition, there are opportunities to explore personal reactions to spirituality and caring for patients facing life-threatening illness or death.
“We want every graduating resident to be able to guide their patients through life-threatening illness and death. This includes the ability to manage the physical, social, emotional, psychological and spiritual symptoms that may impact the quality of life. I take residents on home visits and love watching their comfort and skill grow.” Marian Hodges, M.D.
