This webinar provides insight and guidance into the challenges of advanced cancer in patients nearing the end of life.
A patient case study provides the foundation to explore functional status and prognosis in advanced cancer, with hospice as the active plan of care. It identifies missed opportunities that could have supported earlier goals-of-care conversations, advance care planning, and a timelier referral to hospice care.
Attendees will also apply a clinician’s mnemonic for sensitive discussions and how to address common misconceptions through an example of an effective goals-of-care conversation.
This webinar is offered for both CE and CME credit:
- CE credit is available to nurses (RN, LPN, LVN; in California Registered Nurses only), social workers and certified case managers, as well as licensed nursing home administrators in the states of Florida and Illinois.
- CME credit is available to physicians (MD, DO), nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA).
Attendees can earn one continuing education hour. See below for full certification information and instructions.
Patients with advanced cancer are often referred to hospice later than patients with other terminal illnesses, delaying pain and symptom management. The median length of stay for hospice patients with advanced cancer is 15 days, compared to 21 days for all disease groups. Yet patients are eligible for hospice when their life expectancy is up to six months.
To help address this underutilization, Ileana Leyva, MD, regional medical director and top oncology expert at hospice provider VITAS Healthcare, is available to discuss:
- cancer’s rapid and unpredictable final decline compared to chronic conditions
- the importance of goals-of-care conversations and timely hospice referrals
- common misconceptions about hospice care
- how healthcare providers can navigate sensitive end-of-life conversations with patients and families
Dr. Leyva will also be leading VITAS’ upcoming accredited webinar, Advanced Cancer and End of Life, which offers one hour of free CME/CE credit for eligible healthcare professionals. Registration is required