Lessons from the Stage: A Lesson About Patient Communication Learned in an Improv Class
November 20, 2014
My husband and I took a beginner’s improv class not long ago. Two of the most fundamental rules they taught…
Time to act! Urge your senators to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General
November 14, 2014
by: Alex Smith @AlexSmithMD Vivek Murthy was nominated for Surgeon General of the United States by President Obama in November…
Some say Geriatrics is not glamorous, but I say it is.
November 12, 2014
Tonight I was having a discussion with some close friends. I’ve got to brag here, I have some very smart, passionate…
Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine: Partners in a Common Mission
November 10, 2014
Over the past decade, the disciplines of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine have become intellectual cousins. Within Palliative Medicine, the recognition…
Family caregivers give up $522 billion in income per year to care for seniors
November 7, 2014
by: Alex Smith @AlexSmithMD You don’t get something for nothing. We’ve blogged previously about the silent long term care system…
December’s Consumer Reports: Gadgets, Gear, and Hospice & Palliative Care
November 4, 2014
The December issue of Consumer reports is truly amazing. It’s filled with articles to help consumers find the right headphones,…
Advance care planning cold calls, crowdfunding palliative care, and pocket card decision aids
November 3, 2014
Advance Care Planning · Dementia · Ethics · Geriatrics · Hepatitis · Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) · Mental Health
by: Alex Smith @AlexSmithMD Every once and a while, a new innovation comes along that makes you go, “Wow!” or,…
Advance care planning tool PREPARE, now in Spanish!
November 2, 2014
by: Alex Smith @AlexSmithMD and Rebecca Sudore @PrepareForCare Do you have Spanish-speaking patients? If you do, then point them toward…
Addressing Unmet Palliative and Geriatric Needs of Zombies
November 1, 2014
Considerable evidence indicates that zombies do not receive optimal palliative or geriatric care. High prevalence of untreated pain, depression, decreased…
Don’t just do something, stand there… why it’s too soon for talk of physician aid in dying
October 28, 2014
by Laura Petrillo (@lpetrillz) When Brittany Maynard announced her plans to end her life on November 1st, the news rippled…