F-4: Healthcare Ethics: Courageous Conversations to Guide Goal Concordant Healthcare for Elders

NAB; ANCC; NJ-LNHA Ethics; HCBS TRACT – 1 Credit Hour | Thursday, June 6th. 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Session Description:

Navigating the healthcare journey can feel both daunting and intimidating, particularly for individuals with advanced age or illness. The Dartmouth Atlas Project notes that although more than 80% of patients wish to avoid hospitalization and intensive care in the final stages of life, many are subjected to undesired hospitalization and aggressive medical intervention. Advance Directives and POLST documents are intended to provide important guidance but may be unclear or even allow the healthcare proxy to override documented wishes. This interactive session will utilize case study to identify ethical dilemmas that arise when healthcare goals are unclear, unrealistic or overridden. Each case study will illustrate the importance of understanding and respecting the individual person’s values, preferences and beliefs. The presenter will provide communication pearls to better address important healthcare decisions realistically and proactively within a framework of narrative and care ethics. Courageous conversation about end of life options allows care providers to better understand what matters most to each individual and will ensure goal concordant care.

Learning Objectives:

Examine ethical dilemmas surrounding medical care decisions, specifically unwanted or potentially nonbeneficial medical intervention for those approaching end of life.

Outline approached to expand communication skills to gain confidence in approaching difficult conversations about healthcare decisions/goals of care.

Recommend strategies to frame goals of care conversations within the individual’s life narrative by eliciting values, preference, and beliefs.

Speakers:

Elizabeth Bertolini, MMH, RN, HEC-C, CHPN, Clinical Nurse Ethicist, Co-Chair –  Bioethics Committee at Morristown Medical Center

Elizabeth Bertolini is a clinical nurse ethicist and co-chair of the Bioethics Committee at Morristown Medical Center. She is certified as a Healthcare Ethics Consultant (HEC-C) by the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities. Elizabeth facilitates and leads bioethics consultations throughout the hospital. She also a certified hospice and palliative care nurse (CHPN). Beth has a master’s degree in medical humanities from Drew University and training in clinical ethics mediation. She has additional experience working in acute care, long term care, hospice/homecare, and as a childbirth educator. Beth particularly enjoys giving presentations about bioethics, palliative care, and advance care planning.