On Thursday, November 12 Center for Communication in Medicine (CCM) Executive Director, Bernard M Bandman, PhD and Michael J Welther, MD, Interim Medical Director at Battenkill Valley Health Center, will introduce “SpeakSooner: A Patient’s Guide to Difficult Conversations” (Guide) at the National Association of Social Workers Vermont Chapter’s Annual Conference at the Killington (VT) Resort Center.
As Dr. Bandman describes, “The Guide is a tool to help patients and their loved ones facing serious illness to identify questions and concerns related to diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, quality of life issues and supportive care needs.” And he notes, “Social workers can play a key role in helping patients navigate communication challenges with healthcare providers.”
A workshop at the Conference will use role play and interactive discussion to help participants gain hands on experience in use of the Guide to prepare patients to actively engage in opening timely and honest conversations with healthcare providers about needs, concerns, priorities and goals of care. The training will emphasize respectful listening and supportive care.
You can learn more at https://naswvt.socialworkers.org/Events/Annual-Conference