elc module1v25

ELC Curriculum for Medical Teachers: 

ELC Curriculum for Medical Teachers Death and Dying in the U.S.A. Pain Management Communicating with Patients and Families Making Difficult Decisions Non-Pain Symptom Management Venues and Systems of Care Psychiatric Issues and Spirituality Instituting Change

Introductions: 

Introductions

Brief Overview of End-of-Life Care : 

Brief Overview of End-of-Life Care How are we doing in end-of-life care (ELC) in this country?

Why a Course in ELC is Needed : 

Why a Course in ELC is Needed End-of-life care is neglected in physician training Studies show significant deficiencies in care

Self-Rating Exercise I: 

Self-Rating Exercise I (Self-Rating Scale: 1 = Low to 5 = High) Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes Confidence to Teach 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Module Titles Overview: Death and Dying in the U.S.A. Pain Management Communicating with Patients and Families Making Difficult Decisions Non-Pain Symptom Management Venues and Systems of Care Psychiatric Issues and Spirituality

Self-Assessed Knowledge Rating Study: 

Self-Assessed Knowledge Rating Study Most physicians lack knowledge about the physical changes of dying On a scale of 1 - 5, the mean self-assessed knowledge rating of interns on physical changes of dying was 1.70 The lowest score of 6 items rating clinical expertise Hallenbeck and Bergen, 1999

Overall Goals of the Course: 

Overall Goals of the Course To enhance physician skills in ELC To foster a commitment to improving care for the dying To improve the dying experience for patients, families, and health care providers To improve teaching related to ELC

END-OF-LIFE CARE:Module 1: 

END-OF-LIFE CARE: Module 1 Death and Dying in the U.S.A. Who dies where, and when Patterns of death and prognostication The ‘good death’ Experiences with the dying The last 48 hours

Learning Objectives: 

Learning Objectives Module 1: Death and Dying in the U.S.A. Describe how and where people die in the U.S.A. Identify patterns of dying and related issues of prognosis Identify the characteristics of what a ‘good’ death might be for different populations and for yourself Increase your understanding of events in the last 48 hours of life Incorporate this content into your clinical teaching

Top Five Causes of Death: 

Top Five Causes of Death 1900 Influenza, pneumonia 11.8% Tuberculosis 11.3% Gastritis, enteritis 8.3% Heart Disease 8.0% Stroke 6.2% Brim et al., 1970 2000 Heart Disease 25.7% Cancer 20.0% Stroke 6.0% COPD 4.5% Accidents 3.4% Minino andamp; Smith, 2001

Where We Die: 

Where We Die

Dying in the U.S.A.: Epidemiology & Economics: 

Dying in the U.S.A.: Epidemiology andamp; Economics Annual deaths (2000): 2.40 million Percentage in Hospice: 17% Up from 11% in 1993 Expense of dying (1987): 0.9% of population Last six months cost: $44.9 billion (in 1992 dollars) This is 7.5% of total personal health care expenditures Cohen et al., 1995

Dying is Largely Publicly Funded in U.S.A.: 

Dying is Largely Publicly Funded in U.S.A. 70% of people dying are covered by Medicare 13% of Medicare recipients also receive Medicaid Gornick et al., 1996

Economic Impact on Families by a Death in the Family: 

30% of families are impoverished by the process of dying Covinsky, 1994 Economic Impact on Families by a Death in the Family

The Facts of Life About Dying: 

2.4 million people die annually in U.S. 70% of these covered by Medicare $44.9 billion annual cost Only 48% of that comes out of Medicare 30% of families are impoverished by a death The Facts of Life About Dying

Trajectory of Steady Decline: 

Trajectory of Steady Decline

Other Dying Trajectories: 

Other Dying Trajectories

Brainstorm: 

Implications of different trajectories of dying Brainstorm

Different Dying Trajectories Affect…: 

Our ability to predict who is dying Reimbursement systems Where people die Medical needs of dying patients The impact of the dying process on patient and family Different Dying Trajectories Affect…

Fantasy Death Exercise: 

Fantasy Death Exercise What are your criteria for a ‘good’ death? The only hitch, as in life, is that you have to die. Imagine you are there right now. Notice where you are, what your are doing, who is with you, what it is like, perhaps sounds, smells, other sensory specifics…

Discussion: 

Discussion Themes for a ‘good’ death

Themes for a ‘Good’ Death: 

Themes for a ‘Good’ Death Home Comfort Sense of completion (tasks accomplished) Saying goodbye Life-review Love

Common Ideal Death Scenarios: 

Sudden death in sleep Dying at home Dying engaged in meaningful activity Common Ideal Death Scenarios

Dying Involves a Lot of People: 

Dying Involves a Lot of People

Discussion: 

Discussion What do these themes and scenarios imply for our work as physicians? Few ‘ideal’ deaths contain medical settings or staff What does this mean to us, and how do we deal with it?

Experiences with Dying: 

How many dying patients have you cared for? Think of a particularly memorable case What made it memorable to you? Experiences with Dying

Discussion of Cases: 

Attributes of dying well and problematic dying Positive Themes Negative Themes Discussion of Cases

The Last 48 Hours: 

How do you know a person is dying? What are some of the signs of imminent death? The Last 48 Hours

Signs that Suggest Active Dying: 

Signs that Suggest Active Dying No intake of water or food Dramatic skin color changes Respiratory mandibular movement (RMM) Sunken cheeks, relaxation of facial muscles Rattles in chest Cheyne-Stokes respirations Lack of pulse

SUPPORT Study N=9105 : 

SUPPORT Study N=9105 andlt; 40% had discussed CPR preferences 49% wanting CPR withheld did not have DNR orders 50% of all DNR orders written within last 48 hours of life 50% were assessed with moderate to severe pain half of the time during last 3-days of life Lichter and Hunt, 1990

Most Hospice Deaths Judged Peaceful: 

91.5% of deaths peaceful New pain in 29.5% of cases Pain exacerbated in 21.5% of cases No patient experienced persistent, severe pain 91% of patients were on opioids Lichter and Hunt, 1990 Most Hospice Deaths Judged Peaceful

Symptoms & Signs in the Last 48 Hours: 

Symptom Percent Noisy, moist breathing 56 Urinary incontinence 32 Urinary retention 21 Pain 42 Restlessness, agitation 42 Dyspnea 22 Nausea, vomiting 14 Sweating 14 Jerking, twitching 12 Confusion 08 Lichter and Hunt, 1990 Symptoms andamp; Signs in the Last 48 Hours

Events of the Last 48 Hours: 

Events of the Last 48 Hours Orderly loss of the senses and desires Hunger Thirst (but persistent dry mouth) Speech Vision Hearing and touch

Loss of Hunger: 

Loss of Hunger Families tend to want to nurture A basic way to nurture is to feed Families may be distressed if patient doesn’t eat - Distress arises from: Inability to nurture loved one who is dying Fear that patient is ‘starving’ (suffering)

Loss of Thirst: 

Dry mouth is misinterpreted as thirst Loss of Thirst

Loss of Speech: 

Loss of two-way verbal exchange is a challenge At this point the family may realize that the patient is really dying Difficulty with communication brings up many questions Loss of Speech

Loss of Vision: 

Patient may appear to stare off in space, as if looking through people Loss of Vision

Loss of Hearing & Touch: 

These senses appear to be the last to go Knowing this allows families to be involved far into the dying process Loss of Hearing andamp; Touch

Terminal Syndrome Characterized by Retained Secretions: 

Terminal Syndrome Characterized by Retained Secretions Lack of cough Multi-system shut-down Not always associated with dyspnea Vigorous hydration may flood lungs Deep suctioning is generally ineffective Role of IV and antibiotics is controversial

Physician Checklist: 

Physician Checklist Treatment Switch essential medications to non-oral route Stop unnecessary medications, procedures, monitoring Evaluate for new symptoms Pain, dyspnea, urinary retention, agitation, respiratory secretions Family Contact, engage, educate, facilitate relationship with dying patient, console Yourself Bear witness

Learning Objectives: 

Describe how and where people die in the U.S.A. Identify patterns of dying and related issues of prognosis Identify the characteristics of what a ‘good death’ might be for different populations and for yourself Increase your understanding of events in the last 48 hours of life Incorporate this content into your clinical teaching Learning Objectives