Life lessons include choose your own battles, fight the good fight and never allow others to fight your own battles. As an emergency physician, I often care for patients who are beside themselves rather than on top of their medical conditions. Patients’ capacity to make wise decisions is generally dependent on how well they understand the disease … [Read more...] about APRIL FOOLS: MAKING WISE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS
Palliative Care
BRITTANY’S CHOICE
This past weekend Brittany Maynard chose to end her life prematurely before a brain tumor destroyed her life completely. Brittany’s death is not the end of the conversation regarding death with dignity; opening up an examination of conscience regarding personal choice on a national level. Brittany had several choices of how to end her life. She … [Read more...] about BRITTANY’S CHOICE
CONSCIOUS DYING
This week I will pay tribute to a health-conscious colleague who passed away suddenly and gracefully while snowboarding three years ago. In recognition of Emergency Medical Services Week, my hospital is hosting an awards luncheon for EMS providers and I am presenting the Dr. Paul Johnson Award to an individual that honors and displays valor and … [Read more...] about CONSCIOUS DYING
MAKING SENSE OF HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES
Do you have a healthcare directive? This daunting question is posed to Emergency Room patients daily and is often received with a virtual shrug and response, “Do I need it today or may I think about it?” Being an Emergency Medicine physician, I can attest to people making and taking little time for life and death decisions. National Healthcare … [Read more...] about MAKING SENSE OF HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES
Another Day of Reckoning
Four years ago I promised myself to explore the prospects of dying with dignity through writing a book. I am now pleased to share with you the realization of this journey and welcome you to this website and blog for my book titled, WISHES TO DIE FOR. A wish is an invocation for a favorable outcome; a conclusion reached through the process of … [Read more...] about Another Day of Reckoning