The Helper's Journey 2.0

The person-centered approach of hospice and palliative care asks more of us—indeed, person-centered medicine requires our whole person. We must be fully present to suffering, have difficult end-of-life conversations, integrate and transform our losses, establish a philosophy of life that can sustain us, and continually renew our commitment to the work, rather than disengage. Recent studies document a high incidence of burnout, compassion fatigue and moral distress in end-of-life practitioners, revealing the problems this kind of engagement can present. How can we best meet these challenges? What are the personal pathways to greater efficacy and fulfillment on our helping journeys? To address these questions, we will draw on exciting findings ranging from the stress-telomere connection, resilience, self-compassion and interpersonal neurobiology to patient-centered communication, and also consult the wisdom of those in attendance.