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Palliative care aims to treat symptoms and improve patients' quality of life, even if they are not terminally ill, and should be integrated early in the treatment process.

In this episode, Dr. Christine Cassel, a pioneer in geriatrics and palliative care, shares her journey from an aspiring philosopher to an influential figure in health care. She discusses her early experiences that ignited her passion for moral philosophy and medicine, leading to her groundbreaking work in end-of-life care and palliative medicine. Dr. Cassel highlights the importance of early palliative care, emphasizing its role in symptom relief and preparing patients and families for the future. She also delves into her current initiative, Bridging Divides, aimed at fostering respectful conversations and reducing polarization within medical schools and beyond, emphasizing the power of curiosity, intellectual humility, and the "exhausted majority" in bridging divides.

Tune in to learn about Dr. Cassel's impactful career, the evolution of palliative care, and strategies for promoting understanding and unity in a divided world!

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