It’s not the easiest question to ask aloud—especially in medicine, where we pronounce death but rarely reflect on it. We chart it. Certify it. Explain it. But what does it mean to die? For most of us, the word carries a double weight. It means to…
Category: Palliative care
Prisons Routinely Ignore Guidelines on Dying Inmates’ End-of-Life Choices
Correctional officers often dictate end-of-life care for incarcerated people who are terminally ill. Most states either don’t have a formal policy or are given leeway — a big concern for families and advocates, as the incarcerated population rapidly ages.
Why doctors must talk about death: the truth about CPR and end-of-life care
When I was a general surgery intern, I was doing my very early morning pre-rounds on a frail female patient in her late 70s with significant cardio- and peripheral vascular disease. She’d been in the hospital for weeks and wasted away to no more …
Why doctors must talk about death: the truth about CPR and end-of-life care
When I was a general surgery intern, I was doing my very early morning pre-rounds on a frail female patient in her late 70s with significant cardio- and peripheral vascular disease. She’d been in the hospital for weeks and wasted away to no more …
How to find your purpose in a joyful way [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jordan Grumet, internal medicine physician and host of the Earn & Invest Podcast, as we explore insights from his groundbrea…
The heartbreaking truth about advocating for aging parents in today’s health care system
My parents were born on the same day, six years apart, Depression-era babies. My dad died on Christmas Eve, 2016. Nearly every Christmas season after that, for the next seven years, I hoped Mom would follow him. Was I wrong to wish that? Dad played San…
Jimmy Carter’s final act: What America’s seniors can learn from his health care choices
With Jimmy Carter’s passing, many will reflect on his impact at home and abroad. Yet, one his most personal acts will also stand as one of his most enduring legacies. At 100, not only was our 39th president the longest-lived president, he was als…
Compassion in medicine: How palliative care changes lives
Health care providers dedicate years to rigorous education and training to optimize medical care, aiming to heal and treat illness. However, historically, there has been a significant gap in training regarding the transition from a treatment-focused ap…
End-of-life issues in dementia care [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join us as we welcome psychiatrist Lewis Cohen to discuss his book, Winter’s End: Dementia and Dying Well. In this episode, we explore the ethical dilemmas, legal ch…
Palliative care is plagued by misunderstanding
During a recent palliative conference, the discussion turned to the challenges of translating our work to the public and our colleagues. Despite the growth of our field and increasing access, there remains major confusion about palliative care and hosp…
