Post 84: A Skeptical Eye on the Medical Chart
Let me tell you a story a palliative care leader once told her audience to make a point. “Three days ago, my mom went to the same...
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Communication
Jeanne Lee
Post 81: How Palliative Care Can Change a Life – Sliding Doors Moment #3
A “sliding doors moment” is a seemingly inconsequential moment that ultimately changes the trajectory of future events in a dramatic...
Jeanne Lee
Post 79: Doctors Can Hide Behind Technical Terms and Ambiguous Words - 4 Tips for Getting Clarity
At least a couple times a year, I sit with a new patient who is undergoing surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy and who turns still...
Jeanne Lee
Post 78 - "If You Really Loved Me, You Wouldn't Leave Me" and Other Things We Say When We're Hurting
I hear doctors comment that their colleagues feel like they have failed in the face of impending death of one of their patients (though I...
Jeanne Lee
Post 76: 10 Children's Books That May Help You Talk About Dying, Death, and Grief
"Can you recommend any books I can read with my kids to help me talk about dying?" is a question I occasionally hear during a palliative...
Jeanne Lee
Post 67: The Difference Between "Potential" and "Likely"
Doctors often provide best case scenarios. The best case is what they are hoping for, and it is what they feel most comfortable relaying...
Jeanne Lee
Post 64: Medication Miscommunication, Misconception, Misunderstanding Madness
Dad: I feel dizzy when I take that blood pressure medicine. Me: Did you tell your doctor? She can change the dose, frequency, or the...
Jeanne Lee
Post 63: 4 Steps to Supporting Your Loved One Who is Praying for a “Miracle”
Certain words seem to inspire strong instinctive emotional responses when expressed among patients, family members, doctors, nurses, and...
Jeanne Lee
Post 61: The "Supportive Family" - Two Perspectives on Support
I stepped into the patient's home as the man behind the door said, "I'm so glad you're here. I don't know what to do." He shut the...
Jeanne Lee
Post 55: Family Meetings Can Go Sideways Fast - 3 Tips to Getting Back on Track
"I'm wearing my fighting clothes," the woman remarked to me as she watched her cousin walk towards our designated meeting place from the...
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