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Workshop Description (Additional Fee Applies - Offered Tuesday, February 14 and Wednesday, February 15):

HANDS ON SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP 

The hands on small group communication workshop is designed to teach participants practical communication skills necessary to navigate high stakes medical conversations such as breaking bad news, delivering prognosis, discussing code status and having a goal of care conversations. The small group nature of this workshop will allow participants to practice their skills in a safe, non-judgmental and rewarding environment. Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be better equipped to navigate complex healthcare decision making with their patients.

Breakout Session Descriptions: 

PROGNOSTICATION PREDICAMENTS

In this breakout session, participants will develop an appreciation of the art of prognostication.  The importance of discussion prognosis with patients and family will be discussed along with practical tips and tools to improve the accuracy of prognostication.

COMPLEX CASES IN HOSPICE

This breakout session will be a case based discussion of complex cases in hospice. Using example cases, the discussants will address complex symptom management in the hospice setting in addition to practical ways of addressing complex psychosocial dilemmas such as chemical copers at the end of life and providing home hospice services when patients or household members have active psychiatric and/or addiction issues. Use of palliative sedation in the hospice setting is addressed in this session.

ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGIC PAIN MANAGEMENT:  METHADONE, KETAMINE AND LIDOCAINE, OH MY!

This breakout session will introduce the participant to methadone, ketamine and lidocaine for symptom management of intractable pain. The session will discuss the evidence basis, indication and tips for use of these advanced pain medications.

FRAILTY & PALLIATIVE CARE:  CARING FOR COMPLEX GERIATRIC PATIENTS

In this breakout session, we will begin to explore the concept of frailty in complex geriatric patients and the overlap between geriatrics and palliative care..  This session will discuss frailty as a diagnosis, the implications of frailty in terms of prognosis and outcomes as well as new and innovative care models that optimize provision of care for the growing geriatric population.