​Our goal: Usher in a new era of partnerships between clinicians and individuals where the values, needs, and preferences of the individual are honored; the best evidence is applied; and the shared goal is optimal functional health and quality of life. More >>

 

Why We Should Talk More about Death (and How to Get Started)
Dr. Atul Gawande, advisor to The Conversation Project, discusses the practice of asking his patients a very simple question: “What does a good day look like?” This blog post explores the value of having meaningful conversations with patients about their end-of-life wishes and presents various tools and resources. Don't miss the upcoming IHI Virtual Expedition: Conversation Ready: Engaging Patients in Advance Care Planning.

Disrespect at the End-of-Life is Preventable Harm
Dr. Sokol-Hessner underscores the value of providers being able to guide patients through advance care planning. He describes how care that is not respectful of patients' wishes at the end of life is a form of preventable harm.

Having the Conversation I Encourage Others to Have
In a powerful JAMA article, Dr. Kate Lally writes about grappling with her cancer diagnosis. She shares how her personal experience has informed the ways in which she engages her own patients in end-of-life discussions. This piece eloquently captures the significance of clinicians having end-of-life care conversations with their loved ones before having such conversations with their patients.

Pledge to Use Person-First, Recovery-Focused Language
The way we talk about substance use disorders matters. The IHI Open School’s Recover Hope Campaign has the goal of enlisting 20,000 people by May 15 to commit to using person-first and recovery-focused language. Learn more in a powerful video and sign the pledge today.

Finding Hope and Healing When Cure Is Not Possible
Clinicians are rarely trained to emotionally and spiritually support a dying patient and their family. In the context of pediatric brain tumors, this Mayo Clinic Proceedings article discusses how clinicians can play a crucial role in helping families cope with the loss of a loved one.