An Interdisciplinary Approach to Intractable Suffering

Sunday, November 4, 2012: 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
Primary Presenter:
Tom Beason, MDiv
Co-presenters:
Gwendolyn Burk, MSW, LCSW, CHA and Holly Russell, RN, BSN
Area of Emphasis: Spiritual Care
Learning Objectives:
1. Define and describe “intractable suffering” using an interdisciplinary framework
2. Discuss current treatment approaches to “intractable suffering,” detailing benefits and limitations
3. Propose an interdisciplinary approach to “intractable suffering” and apply the approach to case studies
Dr. Eric Cassel defined suffering as “challenges that threaten the intactness of the person as a complex social and psychological entity.” To that, we would add a “complex physical, social, psychological and spiritual entity.” Suffering at the end of life takes many forms and provides significant challenges for hospice and palliative care professionals. Intractable suffering, or suffering that does not seem amenable to our best interventions, often leaves us baffled, frustrated and at a loss for how to be helpful. Palliative sedation is sometimes promoted as a last resort to intractable suffering as are other “stopgap” measures, but is there a better answer? An interdisciplinary team of hospice professionals will explore meanings and understandings of intractable suffering and suggest a team approach to intervention.

(COMPLETE DESCRIPTION AND OBEJECTIVES CAN BE FOUND ON THE CTC WEBSITE UNDER PRECONFERENCE SEMINARS)

See more of: Preconference Invited
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