What is Meaningful Interaction?
June 26, 2012
I recently cared for a 96 year old woman who was rehospitalized for a recurrent infection (identifying details altered to…
When Surrogates Override the DNR: A Terrific Geriatrics and Palliative Care Teaching Video
March 6, 2012
I’d like to draw GeriPal readers’ attention to a terrific article from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society called, “When…
Asian Cultural Taboo Impedes End-of-Life Care?
August 16, 2011
Last week, I started interviewing clinicians who care for frail elders at On Lok Lifewaysas part of a study led…
The Effects of DNR Orders on Post-Surgical Outcomes
April 24, 2011
If you happened to read WebMD the other day you would have seen an article with the headlines ‘DNR Orders…
The Clinician’s Role in Identifying Loss of Financial Capacity
February 15, 2011
“Mom’s been writing goofy checks…” “Dad stopped paying his bills….” “Grandma wired her savings to Nigeria…” Have you heard these phrases…
Legal Restrictions Compromise Effectiveness of Advance Directives
January 23, 2011
Imagine that you are caring for Ted, a patient in hospice who would like to go from Los Angeles to…
Death Panel Legacy
January 5, 2011
Yesterday, legislation that would have reimbursed physicians for advance care planning discussions was stripped from Medicare regulations related to the…
One Failing of POLST – “Full Treatment” is Needed for All Patients
September 22, 2010
Medicine is much like politics. Both fields have an affinity to condense complicated multifaceted issues into value-laden phrases that add…
Advance Care Planning: A Paradigm Shift
August 30, 2010
What is the purpose of Advance Care Planning? I have been taught to view the goal as helping patients define…
The breadth of life-sustaining treatment
June 25, 2010
In a recent story in the New York Times, Katy Butler described her parents’ experiences with illness, the health care…