Ep.75 Palliative Medicine and Hospice Insights with Andy Arwari MD MS FACP SFHM FAAHPM HMDC Hospice & Palliative Care Physician and Educator • Holistic Person-Centered Interdisciplinary Team Care Advocate • Goals of Care Consultant • Epistemophilic • Author

As we all go through the different seasons of life, there comes a time when we have to face the reality that someday we will pass away. It is important to talk openly about this natural part of life and not treat it like something to be scared or ashamed of. Unfortunately, having these conversations in our families and communities is not always easy. Some people feel uncomfortable or do not want to consider it until it is too late. In addition, many people helping as hospice caregivers are not fully trained or know precisely what to do. This is why Andy Arwari MD, wrote 'Navigating the U.S. Hospice Maze' a book where he pens down strategies for navigating this noble role. In our conversation, he shared his experiences caring for hospice patients and discussed important things we all need to know about hospice and end-of-life care.

Dr. Andy Arwari is a hospice and palliative medicine board-certified physician with 20 years of experience in the field. He has a master of science in palliative care from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and is presently working on a PhD in palliative care. Dr. Arwari serves as a faculty member of the hospice and palliative medicine fellowship programs for the University of Miami. He is a hospice medical director for VITAS Healthcare and overseas Hospice and palliative care in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:30] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Dr. Andy Arwari

[01:27] About Andy's background and career journey

[02:01] A standout pain point from Andy's book, 'Navigating the U.S. Hospice Maze.'

[04:24] The one thing about hospice that Andy would teach for the rest of his life

[07:23] Why advance care planning is so crucial

[12:27] Tips to start the end of life conversations with your patient as a caregiver

[16:57] The most profound death of a patient that affected Andy much

[18:14] Palliative sedation, its significance, and who gets it

[24:54] Andy's experiences in both palliative medicine and hospice

[30:37] What you need to understand about morphine in palliative care

[34:07] Tips on how the hospice experience of a patient can be improved

[38:13] Ending show and calls to action

Notable Quotes

● The philosophy of hospice and palliative care is interdisciplinary or holistic care. The only way to deliver holistic care is through a team approach. [03:33]

● We will all reach that season of life where our time comes to a close, and having that hospice care and support is phenomenal. [05:24]

● In hospice, sometimes palliative sedation is employed to alleviate pain or distress in the patient. It is not to expedite a patient's demise. [18:14]

● Hospice care focuses not on death but on the quality of time and life during that time. Death will come whether you are in hospice or not. [32:31]

Let's Connect

Andy Arwari

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-arwarimd/

Andy's Book: Navigating the U.S. Hospice Maze.: A short guide for community hospice physicians

Marie's Contact:

[email protected]

www.hospiceexplained.com

http://buymeacoffee.com/hospice

[email protected]

Leave a Voicemail: 206-705-3080

As we all go through the different seasons of life, there comes a time when we have to face the reality that someday we will pass away. It is important to talk openly about this natural part of life and not treat it like something to be scared or ashamed of. Unfortunately, having these conversations in our families and communities is not always easy. Some people feel uncomfortable or do not want to consider it until it is too late. In addition, many people helping as hospice caregivers are not fully trained or know precisely what to do. This is why Andy Arwari MD, wrote 'Navigating the U.S. Hospice Maze' a book where he pens down strategies for navigating this noble role. In our conversation, he shared his experiences caring for hospice patients and discussed important things we all need to know about hospice and end-of-life care.

Dr. Andy Arwari is a hospice and palliative medicine board-certified physician with 20 years of experience in the field. He has a master of science in palliative care from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and is presently working on a PhD in palliative care. Dr. Arwari serves as a faculty member of the hospice and palliative medicine fellowship programs for the University of Miami. He is a hospice medical director for VITAS Healthcare and overseas Hospice and palliative care in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:30] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Dr. Andy Arwari

[01:27] About Andy's background and career journey

[02:01] A standout pain point from Andy's book, 'Navigating the U.S. Hospice Maze.'

[04:24] The one thing about hospice that Andy would teach for the rest of his life

[07:23] Why advance care planning is so crucial

[12:27] Tips to start the end of life conversations with your patient as a caregiver

[16:57] The most profound death of a patient that affected Andy much

[18:14] Palliative sedation, its significance, and who gets it

[24:54] Andy's experiences in both palliative medicine and hospice

[30:37] What you need to understand about morphine in palliative care

[34:07] Tips on how the hospice experience of a patient can be improved

[38:13] Ending show and calls to action

Notable Quotes

● The philosophy of hospice and palliative care is interdisciplinary or holistic care. The only way to deliver holistic care is through a team approach. [03:33]

● We will all reach that season of life where our time comes to a close, and having that hospice care and support is phenomenal. [05:24]

● In hospice, sometimes palliative sedation is employed to alleviate pain or distress in the patient. It is not to expedite a patient's demise. [18:14]

● Hospice care focuses not on death but on the quality of time and life during that time. Death will come whether you are in hospice or not. [32:31]

Let's Connect

Andy Arwari

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-arwarimd/

Andy's Book: Navigating the U.S. Hospice Maze.: A short guide for community hospice physicians

Marie's Contact:

[email protected]

www.hospiceexplained.com

http://buymeacoffee.com/hospice

[email protected]

Leave a Voicemail: 206-705-3080