Issues relating to the end of life are often a part of caring for older patients in the ED. While there seems like a gulf between the skills of the palliative physician and the Emergency physician, work in the ED frequently requires knowledge of the basics of high-quality palliative care.
This module looks at several ED patients to illustrate the basics. An awareness of disease trajectories and how to use it in addressing prognosis. The essentials of having a goals of care discussion in the ED. A review of the best practices in symptom management that are relevant to the ED.
Learning objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- Describe disease trajectories, recognizing their link to prognosis and end-of-life decision making.
- Use disease trajectories to inform discussion of goals of care and advance care planning in the ED.
- Name the key components of an effective goals of care discussion.
- Describe ED-appropriate management for pain, nausea, constipation, dyspnea, and anxiety.