We often encounter patients who have already been through a lot in their lives, particularly those who come to us from nursing homes. Their quality of life may already be compromised and they may face difficult care decisions. In these situations, it can be easy to default to standard procedures like intubation and ICU care, but I've realized that this may not always be what's best for the patient. That's why I've made it a practice to have open and honest conversations with my patients and their families about palliative care options before diving into more invasive treatments. It's not always easy, but I believe it's important to listen to what the patient and their loved ones want and consider their quality of life and their chances for recovery. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the best possible care, even if that means making tough choices.
Kevin Haselhorst is an emergency physician and author of Wishes To Die For: Expanding Upon Doing Less in Advance Care Directives.
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#palliativecare #endoflifecare #healthcareprovider #patientcenteredcare #medicalethics #hospicecare #ICUcare #qualityoflife #doctorslife #medicallife #nursinghomecare #elderlycare #honestconversations
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