Clinical Conversations

October 16th, 2009

Podcast 61: A conversation about end-stage dementia.

We talk with Susan Mitchell, a Harvard researcher who set out to characterize the final clinical stages of advanced dementia. There are some surprises — namely, the benefit of clear communications with patients and their families (which, come to think of it, shouldn’t come as much of a surprise at all). Talk with us at […]

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March 30th, 2009

Podcast 36: Michael K. Kearney is our guest. He talks about the self-care of clinicians engaged in end-of-life care.

We’ve got an interview with the first author of JAMA‘s final installment in its series on end-of-life care. The last paper focuses on the (necessary) self-care of clinicians who care for the dying. It’s an interesting discussion. Please call 1-617-440-4374 if you have any comments. I’ll toss them into the mix. This week’s links: Intensive […]

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December 21st, 2008

Podcast 24: An interview with Dr. Douglas B. White on the perspectives of surrogate decision makers regarding discussions about their loved one’s prognosis

We talk with Douglas B. White about his paper in the Annals of Internal Medicine, entitled “Hope, Truth, and Preparing for Death: Perspectives of surrogate decision makers,” and we offer a roundup of the week’s news. A reminder, before we start, that Admitting Diagnosis is taking the next two weeks off. We hope you’ll find […]

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October 10th, 2008

Podcast 15: The week’s news, plus an interview with Dr. Alexi A. Wright about her article in JAMA on end-of-life conversations and their cascading benefits

The medical news gods were generous this week, providing a wealth of stories to choose from. Plus, the Nobel prizes were announced. We’re especially fortunate to have an interview with a researcher whose findings relate directly to your clinical work. Journal Watch links: Patients and Caregivers Benefit from End-of-Life Discussions Tiotropium Alleviates Symptoms, Doesn’t Reduce […]

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