Last month VitalTalk successfully completed two Virtual Faculty Development R1 pilot courses. The first course was open to those whose Aspen courses were cancelled this spring, and the second was hosted by Duke University. We are thrilled to be teaching Faculty Development again and that we have 40 new VitalTalkers starting their journey to join our faculty community! […]
AUGUST 6, 2020 · PRESS RELEASE SEATTLE – VitalTalk, a nonprofit organization that provides clinicians evidence-based communication skills training surrounding seriously ill patients, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lizza Miller, PhD and Lynsey Seabrook, EdD to its Board of Directors. Dr. Miller and Dr. Seabrook bring their diverse backgrounds and professional expertise with careers in digital […]
We have a responsibility to integrate diversity into all the things we do – from whom we train… to for whom we provide training.
Communication skills are critical under normal circumstances, but now we are faced with constraining situations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. How do you comfort the family member of a dying patient who can’t be by their side? Clinicians on the frontline need to communicate with COVID-19 patients and their families, but they don’t always know […]
Congratulations to the group of VitalTalk Faculty who were just named to Fellow of the Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (FAAHPM), the academy’s highest honor. They are leaders in our community and in the Palliative Medicine field. We want to recognize these faculty for this great accomplishment: Joel Bauman, MD Colleen Brown, […]
Recently AAHPM (The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine) selected a new 2019 class of Emerging Leaders based on their career accomplishments, involvement in the Academy, mentoring of residents and students, and participation in charitable work. This was big news for us here at VitalTalk, and we want to give a huge shout out […]
On the cancer clinic waiting room: “It’s a very liminal place” – Greta Austin The perspective of a family member: surprise, unexpected gifts, warblers. From our local NPR station in Seattle. Go to the story at KUOW Seattle to find the audio link. In memory of George Austin, and his love of birdwatching and the Final […]
The new graphic medicine story in the Annals of Internal Medicine, “Betty P,” left us feeling dismayed. Great graphic style, yes. Wisdom about end-of-life care, no. What we object to: the story’s assumption that the absence of a do-not-resuscitate order was the big problem. While all too common, it is unacceptable that no one – not […]
Authored by our own James Tulsky (who was on the IOM committee): “Unfortunately, many clinicians who care for people living with advanced serious illness do not possess the knowledge or skills to effectively manage…communication challenges….The bulk of these patients’ needs must be met be training existing clinicians.” [JAMA Internal Medicine]