Pearls for Practice: Disease Updates (2018)

Cancer Immunotherapy: The Changing Landscape for Palliative Care and Hospice
Presenters: Julie Waldfogel, PharmD CPE, Mary Buss, MD MPH, Suzanne Nesbit, PharmD BCPS CPE FCCP, Lynn Billing, BSN CHPN

Objectives: Explain the mechanism of action of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Describe the effect of immunotherapy on cancer response patterns and its impact on expectations of patients and providers. Discuss effective management of immune-mediated side effects.

Defining the Disease in DT-LVAD: A Comprehensive Approach to a Complex Continuum of Care
Presenters: Sara Wordingham, MD, Jennifer Woodburn, DNP AGPC-NP, Sharene Hollenbach, MSN RN OCN, Samantha Williamson, MSW LMSW

Objectives: Strategically define the DT-LVAD advanced illness trajectory with special emphasis on challenging aspects of care for ‘transitional phase’ patients and their caregivers. Utilize shared decision making communication methods to engage LVAD patients and their caregivers in iterative advance care planning. Describe the needs of DT-LVAD patients beyond their medical therapy and identify measures that support the multidisciplinary LVAD team.

Substance Use Disorders 101 for the Palliative Care Specialist
Presenters: Amy Davis, DO MS FACP FAAHPM, Eric Prommer, MD HMDC FAAHPM, Scott Irwin, MD PhD, Jeremy Hirst, MD

Objectives: Learn how to identify behaviors affiliated with substance use disorders in the patient with advanced illness. Understand the tools used to screen for substance use disorders. Learn symptom management in patients facing serious illness who have a concurrent or historical substance use disorder.

Air Out There: Options for Non-invasive Respiratory Supports and Safe Transitions from ICU to Hospice
Presenters: Lauren Goodman, MD MSC, Elaine Chen, MD, Brady Scott, MS RRT-ACCS AE-C FAARC

Objectives: Describe and detail non-invasive oxygenation and ventilation supports. Operationalize the transition and weaning of these supports to the hospice setting or more compassionate environments. Build a training workshop/symposium to institute with local hospices; assist in transition from ICU/intensive care.

Immunotherapy 101
Presenters: Eric Prommer, MD HMDC FAAHPM, Arif Kamal, MD MBA MHS FAAHPM, Mary Buss, MD MPH, David Hui, MD MS MSC

Objectives: Learn when immunotherapies are used in cancer care. Understand how immunotherapies affect quality of life. Learn about common toxicities associated with immunotherapy use.

Where Palliative Care and Nephrology Meet--Complex Decisions in The Older CKD Patient
Presenters: Dale Lupu, PhD MPH, Alvin Moss, MD FACP FAAHPM,
Jane Schell, MD, Kathryn Schueller, MD, Katharine Cheung, MD MSC BA FRCPC

Objectives: Describe three complex dialysis decisions for kidney disease patients including conservative care, trial of dialysis and dialysis discontinuation. Demonstrate communication approaches between palliative care and nephrology clinicians. Foster collaboration on complex cases using role play demonstrations.