November 26, 2012: Screening and Discussion of Gen Silent
Gen Silent is the new LGBT documentary from award-winning director and documentary filmmaker Stu Maddux that explores issues of bullying and discrimination within the health care system of older adults in the LGBT community.
A growing number of people are working to protect LGBT older adults and caregivers. Gen Silent offers hope and new models of care that are taking place here in Massachusetts. Gen Silent helps raise awareness so that our LGBT older adults can have a greater chance to live and age in safety, with dignity and respect.
February 1, 2012: Finding Compassion
Students Jencie McDavid, 2012 Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology candidate, and Lauren Greb, 2013 Master of Science in Nursing Candidate, led a discussion on how to find compassion when caring for challenging patients.
Planner/Facilitator: Patricia Reidy, DNP, FNP-BC, Clinical Associate Professor School of Nursing
October 24, 2011: "Therapeutic Use of Self: How Much is Too Much?"
Planner/Facilitator: Judith Webb, DNP, Adult and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner-BC, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, presented effective interpersonal communications strategies and discussed some of the differences between therapeutic and social interactions.
March 30, 2011: Creating Compassionate Connections
Barbara Moscowitz, MSW, LICSW, Social Worker, Department of Social Services and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Jo Shapiro, MD, Chief, Division of Otolaryngology, Director, Center for Professionalism and Peer Support, Brigham and Women's Hospital, lead a discussion on creating compassionate connections with your patients.
February 2, 2011: The Therapeutic Use of Self: How Much is Too Much?
The relationship between a health care professional and patient or client is the foundation on which health care is provided. Therapeutic use of the self is the ability to use one's personality consciously and in full awareness to establish relatedness and to structure interventions for the benefit of the patient.
Facilitator Judith Webb, CNP, Adult and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner-BC, Clinical Assistant Professor School of Nursing and presenters Sofia Vallila, MS, PhD candidate 2011, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology; Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology; MGH Institute, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Kim Sonderland, FNP Candidate 2011, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing discuss effective interpersonal communications strategies, and some of the differences between therapeutic and social interactions.
November 15, 2010: Computers and Compassion
The use of technology such as email, mobile phones, and Skype may increase access to health care and timelier diagnoses, and may expand access to ongoing education and training.
Yet, little is known about the impact of these modes of communication on the provision of compassionate care.
Participants and facilitator Carolyn Locke, Dean of Student Affairs, explored the challenges posed by providing care via virtual communication.
October 04, 2010: Overcoming "static" to really listen to your patients
Hearing is the ability of the ear to sense sounds. In contrast, active listening requires a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying, but more importantly, to understand the total message being sent.
Listening can be especially challenging for new clinicians who may be preoccupied with new skills, time constraints, and fear of saying the wrong thing.
Participants and moderator Ruth Palan Lopez, PhD, GNP-BC, Associate Professor explored the issue of listening and discuss strategies for reducing static in our own minds and in our work environments that can impede effective listening.
April 07, 2010: Compassion Fatigue: When you don't have any more to give
Compassion fatigue is defined as physical, emotional or spiritual exhaustion caused by constant outputting of compassion and caring to others without sufficient personal replenishment to feel that the world is a hopeful place.
Participants and moderator Ruth Palan Lopez, PhD, GNP-BC, Associate Professor considered whether individuals have a limitless supply of compassion. Can we prevent our compassion from running dry? How can we sustain and refill our ability to care?
February 24, 2010: Cultural Humility and Compassionate Care: Caring for patients with different cultural backgrounds
How can you be compassionate when you are challenged by a patient with a different cultural background, leading to different behavioral expectations?
Participants, moderator Calvin Hill, Chief Diversity Officer, and guest presenter Dilshad Farheen Sulaiman, PT, MS Candidate 2010, explored personally held values and beliefs about cultural differences and how they may play out in our interactions with patients.
