Goals / What's Most Important

“He’s been an inspiration to all of us,” the son Alex said about his dad, Mr. N., lying in the hospital bed, “He was diagnosed with stage...

"At this time, knowing what you know about your medical condition, what is most important to you?" When a palliative care physician asks...

“She’s getting better!” Ruben emphatically exclaimed, as he grasped his wife’s hand. Dr. Les, the palliative care specialist meeting...

"Staying positive" and "being optimistic" are probably two big ways to keep motivated in making the best of each day and working towards...

Certain words seem to inspire strong instinctive emotional responses when expressed among patients, family members, doctors, nurses, and...

You probably do not need to know the definition of the healthcare phrase "goals of care" in order to advocate for the best possible...

The particular nouns, adjectives, and verbs we choose to describe ourselves and our lives can alter how we see ourselves and our...

I count 1, 2, 3, and push myself up from the recliner, grabbing onto the handles of my walker positioned in front of me. I pause in my...

Before I started working as a palliative care physician (read Post 1: What Exactly Does a Palliative Care Specialist Do?), I worked as a...

"I admitted Mr. D, a gentleman with moderate to severe dementia last night. He has pneumonia and respiratory failure. I asked Mr. D's...