Dr. Gawande’s book,
BEING MORTAL has helped shape in large part my philosophy and manner in which I practice medicine. After reading this book I have had the “HARD CONVERSATIONS” with my patients and parents. I only wish some members of my family had read his book before my mother was at the end of her journey on this earth. I believe my mother’s suffering and agony could’ve been for the most part avoided. Placing a family member of loved one in HOSPICE or PALLIATIVE CARE
does not mean “GIVING UP”. In fact, patients who chose hospice care over surgery or chemotherapy for some diseases live 25% longer than those who do.
Imagine if there was a pill called PALLIATIVE CARE, who wouldn’t take it?
Keeping in mind the lessons and philosophy that I have learned and internalized from Dr. Gawande I have sought to partner with healthcare professionals whom have been specifically trained in this relatively new realm of medicine. Dr. Adrian Chaurand Morales recently finished his doctoral degree in Spain in Palliative Care and has an entire team of healthcare providers, nurses and counselors whom can help our patients and their loved ones during such a difficult time.
Below are links that I hope you may find helpful information on HOSPICE and PALLIATIVE CARE according to Dr. Gawande’s research has shown.
Sunday mornings I regularly listen to NPR’s
ON BEING podcast. I was delighted to hear that their guest one week ago was Dr. Atul Gawande. I am posting a link to that interview as well as a link to a PBS/FRONTLINE documentary on the very subject of his book. For those of you whom have not had the chance to read his book, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you at least listen to the podcast or view the documentary.
FRONTLINE follows renowned New Yorker writer and Boston surgeon Atul Gawande as he explores the relationships doctors have with patients who are nearing the end of life. In conjunction with Gawande’s new book, Being Mortal, the film investigates the practice of caring for the dying, and shows how doctors – himself included – are often remarkably untrained, ill-suited and uncomfortable talking about chronic illness and death with their patients.
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