MSK 2nd Annual U.S. Celebration of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day: A Virtual Coming Together

MSK 2nd Annual U.S. Celebration of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day: A Virtual Coming Together is organized by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and will be held from Oct 05 - 06, 2021.

Who Should Attend:
This program is focused on the care of seriously ill patients and is appropriate for national and international health care workers including and not limited to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, chaplains, psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, and patient advocates regardless of specialty palliative care or oncology experience.

Overview:
Access to palliative care is a human right and an integral component throughout the care continuum for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses. A multidisciplinary group of palliative care leaders at the forefront of research and clinical practice will present on diverse topics, including cultural humility, advocacy, complex communication needs, and ethical considerations.

Condensed over two half-days, this year’s program includes:
• Special breakout sessions will include experts on spirituality and global leaders who are actively enhancing universal access to palliative care (selection made at registration).
• A highlight of this meeting will include dedicated sessions on the patient experience as well as the caregiver experience.
• A special Schwartz Rounds will facilitate a case-based open and honest discussion on the social and emotional issues health care workers face while caring for patients and families.
• Participants will engage in discussions on bioethical dilemmas and the role of existential distress for patients, caregivers, and health care workers.
• An overall theme to promote advocacy and leadership within the specialty will be featured throughout the meeting.

This meeting is co-hosted by the Supportive Care Service and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Objectives:
• Recognize health disparities in hospice and palliative care and actionable methods to promote social justice.
• Apply interdisciplinary approaches to address patient and family needs across the domains of palliative care to improve quality of life and alleviate serious health-related suffering.
• Discuss national and global advocacy efforts to promote universal access to palliative care.
• Describe innovations for effective communication with patients confronting life-limiting illness to provide high-quality serious illness and end-of-life care.
• Describe the ethical dilemmas encountered throughout the serious illness trajectory and employ best practices using interdisciplinary models.

Please note that palliative care professionals from low and middle income countries as well as palliative care students currently enrolled in a university program are eligible for complimentary registration.