Conversations between patients and clinicians about what matters most lead to higher quality care and improved quality of life for patients and those who care for them. The COVID-19 pandemic makes communication both more difficult and more important than ever, particularly for people who are at highest risk of becoming very sick
Serious Illness Care Programme has developed a COVID-19 Response Toolkit to support health systems and clinicians in addressing the communication needs of patients in the community and those in the Hospital. The toolkit also includes resources for patients to begin having these conversations with people they trust within their support Networks
Please find below an interesting article by Dr Justin Sanders, MD (@dbljsndrs) on how “Health systems must prioritize communication in response to the #COVIDー19 pandemic”
Read it here
Inpatient Resources:
COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Inpatient Care
This guide will help clinicians speak with patients in inpatient settings who are hospitalised with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 about their priorities for their care.
Outpatient Resources:
COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Outpatient Care
The guide will help clinicians engage in compassionate conversations with high-risk patients about how they can best protect themselves and help them understand what matters most to each patient in the context of COVID-19.
Patient Resources:
Preparing for COVID-19: 3 Things to Know
With generous support from the Cambia Health Foundation, Ariadne Labs and The Conversation Project have developed a patient-facing guide on “Being Prepared in the Time of COVID-19”. This tool can help people take action and be prepared for the pandemic.
Due to the circumstances, clinicians and patients are utilising telecommunication tools that may challenge their normal practices. These tips can support clinicians having serious illness conversations virtually.
This aid provides a framework to create holistic recommendations after a conversation with a patient who has underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe complications of COVID-19, should they contract it.
