What to do and say when time is very short… with Dr. Molly Collins, FACP, FAAHPM
By Janet Abrahm, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, FASCO with Dr. Molly Collins, FACP, FAAHPM
I thought I’d do something different with this month’s newsletter. I’m highlighting two short videos that Dr. Molly Collins, FACP, FAAHPM created for my website, www.janetabrahm.com. In these videos, “What to Expect in the Last Days & Anticipatory Guidance for the End-of-Life Transition”, and “Incorporating the 5 Things,” Dr. Collins reviews how to care for patients as they die, and how to support them and their families during this difficult time. I have spent much time in previous newsletters making sure people understand that Palliative Care expands beyond assisting patients and families with navigating End of Life, but it remains an important part of how Palliative Care can help oncologists meet their patients and their family’s needs.
A Bit About Dr. Collins
Dr. Collins was already committed to becoming a palliative care physician when I first worked with her as an undergraduate student. Over the years she became a master educator and program developer in Palliative Care, specializing in the care of patients with cancer and their families. Dr. Collins has served as Director of Medical Education for the Supportive and Palliative Care Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and then the Program Director of a Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship there. She Chaired the AAHPM Fellowship training committee in 2020-21 and is currently a member of that committee. In 2019, Dr. Collins, generously agreed to be one of my co-editors for the 4th edition of our book, Comprehensive Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer (2022, Johns Hopkins University Press). She provided invaluable material and editorial advice throughout the creation of that edition.
The link to the two above-mentioned videos is here. Scroll down to the section called “Promoting Comfort.” You will find them in the video sub-section.
- What to Expect in the Last Days and Anticipatory Guidance for the End-of-Life Transition (About 6 minutes and 20 seconds).
- Incorporating the 5 Things (About 2 minute 20 seconds).
Please also look at the other resources in the End of Life and Bereavement section of Resources on my website. This includes information about (in alphabetical order) End of Life Conversations, Grieving, Hospice, MOLST/POLST ACP forms, Moral Distress, and Promoting Comfort. And as always, please contact me for any open questions you may have.
Best,
Janet Abrahm, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, FASCO
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Supportive and Palliative Care Resources
A primary objective of this website is to offer the most helpful and up to date resources in palliative care for oncologists and palliative care clinicians. From her ongoing practice of palliative care and the extensive research behind the 4th edition of her book, Dr. Abrahm has created and curated content in the four following subject areas. The content will be updated regularly so please continue to check back.
About Dr. Abrahm
Janet Abrahm, MD is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is among the founders of Palliative Care in the United States and the author of four comprehensive books on supportive and palliative care for patients with cancer. Dr. Abrahm is a former practicing oncologist who created the Palliative Care Service at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute over 20 years’ ago. She is an award-winning clinician and educator and continues to practice palliative care at Dana Farber.
Dr. Abrahm's Book
Dr. Abrahm is the author of four comprehensive editions on supportive and palliative care for patients with cancer, the first published in 2000 and the latest in 2022.
Her extensive work offers oncologists and other oncology and palliative care clinicians a place to turn to find the most up-to-date evidence-based practices, resources, and practical advice on how to care for patients across the full range of issues they will experience during their illness.