End of Life Choices New York

Palliative care provides support to patients with serious illnesses to ensure their symptoms are managed, and improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, surveys estimate that about 70% of the public does not know about palliative care. Additionally, many health professionals also do not fully appreciate the value of palliative care, when it should be provided, how to identify patients who might benefit from it, barriers to its provision, and how it differs from hospice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to palliative care is critical for patients to manage their physical and emotional symptoms. Today, palliative care can be offered in the hospital, or through telemedicine, making it increasingly accessible. 

The course includes a recorded presentation by Dana Lustbader, MD, FCCM, FAAHPM, chair of the Department of Palliative Care at ProHEALTH. Her presentation provides an overview of palliative care, how it can be accessed, and barriers to receiving this care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe a use case for telemedicine in the delivery of palliative care in the hospital setting.

2. Discuss a strategy to identify patients who could benefit from palliative care services.

3. Identify three barriers to providing palliative care to those who need it.

Completion of this course counts as 1 contact hour for licensed NY social workers. 

Course participation involves watching a recorded presentation and completing a quiz. You must receive a score of at least 80% to pass the course, but may retake the quiz as needed. A certificate of completion will automatically be issued after completion of the course.

End of Life Choices New York, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0464.