February 2021 | Issue 2 | Page 4
Forging the Future of Palliative Care Summit Experiences from Attendees
Anne McMahon , RN - Responses Continued
The MMLO helps communicate the humanity of patients in a way the Advance Care Directives addressed in the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 failed . It helps to communicate how a patient wants to be cared for in the face of serious illness . I plan to complete a MMLO to include with her Advance Directives .
I also enjoyed watching the plenary session with Dr . Gloria White- Hammond . A disposition of gratitude carries us through difficult times . Despite my mother ’ s condition we focus on the small miracles of a good night ’ s sleep , freedom from pain and infection and ability to experience joy , love , and hope . Mother is very spiritual and has talked about feeling the presence of God with her always .
Quotes from Summit Attendees
“ I t h a s b e e n t h e b e s t c o n f e r e n c e I h a v e a t t e n d e d o n t h i s s u b j e c t s o f a r ! T h a n k y o u a l l f o r d o i n g i t a n d m a k i n g i t a f f o r d a b l e . ”
Did you learn something that you will now utilize going forward ? I definitely learned lessons to utilize going forward . The mindfulness exercises has been very effective . I have a list of books to checkout I also plan to purchase the ELNEC online learning curriculum for my next CEUs starting with the Geriatric curriculum . Knowing and understanding the course of serious illness makes it less scary to care for our loved ones at home . Palliative care and support will enable more families to care for their seriously ill loved ones at home and help them to avoid emergency and hospital care .
Dr . Ronit Elk and I met a year ago . She became my mentor and methodologist for my dissertation . Over the course of our meeting , she understood that working with African Americans at the end of life was a desire of mine . African Americans refrain from facing end-of-life situations because of religion and other reasons . She invited me to attend the Summit as it provided me more insight into the field and how to continue to foster the relationship among African Americans .
Devonna King
Social Worker Norfolk State University
The Cultural Communication Training Workshop was phenomenal . I appreciated how we were divided into smaller groups and having the opportunity to observe the different scenarios presented . I found it challenging not being able to engage with one another through the Summit . Although I enjoyed being an observer , I felt compelled to have a conversations with the participants . This session impacted my clinical skills by having additional ways to deal with a certain situation . It allows for me to broaden my opportunity of learning while providing more insight to serve my patients and caregivers .