Caring Greatly

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ podcast, Dr. Kvedar and I discuss the steps needed to allow for the dramatic expansion of telehealth and virtual care that have accompanied the COVID-19 response. We also look ahead to the way that telehealth is likely to evolve in the immediate aftermath of the virus and ahead as we re-imagine the future of healthcare.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ podcast, Nancy and I discuss the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the team members and communities across New Jersey. We explore how members of the patient experience team redeployed to serve the health, safety, spiritual, and connection needs of patients and families experiencing hospitalization during the crisis. We look at the long-term impacts on the mental health and well-being of team members, and how HMH is working to support them with clinician-led well-being outreach. And we look at the ways that care will be forever transformed by the lessons uncovered during the crisis.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ podcast, Dr. Fitzpatrick and I discuss the reasons that health disparities have resulted in the COVID-19 crisis having a disproportionate impact on communities of color and the poor. We look at how health systems and communities can respond in both the short- and long-term to minimize disparities in access to credible health information.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ podcast, Dr. Maples and I discuss the emotional impact of COVID-19 on clinicians. We look at the ways that healthcare systems and leaders can support the healing process and move toward an environment that doesn’t just prevent burnout, but one in which clinicians can thrive and reach their highest human and healing potential.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ Podcast, Dr. Glassman and I discuss what disaster response looks like in a situation like the COVID-19 surge in New York City. We talk about the importance of rest and seeking mental health support, as well as the ways that teamwork and support can lessen the challenges of care team member redeployment. Dr. Glassman also looks ahead to lessons learned from the current response that includes changes in clinician training, telemedicine, and innovation partnerships.

Sue Murphy, RN, BSN, MS, is the chief experience and innovation officer at University of Chicago Medicine (UCM). As leader of UCM’s Patient Experience and Engagement Program, Sue is a tireless champion for augmenting positive practices and supporting humanity and well-being for patients, families, and care team members. Like many experience teams, Sue and her team had built a rounding program prior to COVID-19 in which leaders would check in on patients, solve immediate comfort needs, and gather feedback on care (including kudos for team members). At the onset of COVID-19 infection control protocols that precluded in-person rounds, Sue and her team pivoted to virtual, phone-based rounding. The team is creating connection and caring relationships that support recovery from the stress of a COVID-era hospitalization before the patient leaves the hospitals, and helping care team members know they are not alone in caring for patients.

Jessica Nutik Zitter, MD, MPH, is a critical and palliative care specialist, author, filmmaker, and national advocate for transforming the way people die in America. She is the author of Extreme Measures, and the creator of the acclaimed documentary short Extremis and the forthcoming Caregiver: A Love Story. In this special edition of the Caring Greatly podcast, we talk about the unique challenges of end-of-life decision making and support during the COVID-19 crisis.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ podcast, Dr. DeRienzo and I discuss the challenges of expressing humanity at a time when physical distancing and infection isolation are the norm. We also hit on transformations in telemedicine, and the need to create clearer supply chain responsibilities to prepare for a future pandemic.

Ben Kanter, MD, FCCP, is a pulmonologist and the chief medical information at Vocera Communications. In this special edition of the Caring GreatlyTM podcast, Dr. Kanter and I discuss the complexities of standing up communication infrastructure in COVID-19 surge environments. Dr. Kanter shares his experience working with health systems across the globe to improvise communication protocols that support clinicians working in surge tents, pop-up ICUs, and other novel environments. We conclude with how the communication adaptations required to respond to COVID-19 will lead to long-term revolutions in communication infrastructure.

Jennifer Brokaw, M.D. is an emergency physician, author, and patient advocate. In this special edition of the Caring GreatlyTM podcast, we discuss the importance of end-of-life conversations in the era of COVID-19. We dive into the kinds of depths and detail that families and loved ones can and should discuss to be prepared for what’s possible and lessen the trauma of last-minute decision making.