Trust is the foundation of quality patient care at the end of life

“It’s those pain medicines you are giving her.  She’s very sensitive to them.  I think that’s why she’s confused — she is doped up.” Two months after receiving her diagnosis Mrs. M signed up for hospice.  At our first visit, she was suffering and visibly uncomfortable.  Her skin appeared excoriated from weeks of scratching.  She was confused, restless, and racked by pain. Mrs. M had metastatic liver cancer resulting from underlying cirrhosis.  Her scarred liver functioned at minimal capacity even before the cancer appeared and obliterated her remaining healthy liver cells.  Because of her preexisting liver disease, her oncologist was unable to offer curative chemotherapy. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Palliative care Source Type: blogs