Hospice Foundation of America E-Newsletter
January 2005
Hospice Foundation of America E-Newsletter
Volume 5, Issue 1
January 2005
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Message from David Abrams,
President
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On behalf of the directors and
staff of HFA, I want to wish our readers a happy new year. While we at HFA look
ahead to exciting opportunities, for a significant portion of the world the
immediate outlook is grim, and thoughts of the victims of the South Asia tsunami
occupy our minds. In an effort to support the victims of the South Asia tsunami,
HFA will contribute a portion of Internet donations received during the month of
January to help survivors cope with their grief and loss. We are pleased to be
able to make a contribution to
recovery efforts.
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Focus on: Planning for "Ethical Dilemmas at the End of Life"
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While the planning for HFA's upcoming national bereavement teleconference,
"Ethical Dilemmas at the End of Life," began over a year ago, the program
content was the subject of intense focus for a recent planning meeting with the
full panel. Kenneth Doka, Bereavement Consultant to HFA, developed a general
agenda and learning objectives for the teleconference.
Using these documents as a guide, the panel began to identify critical points to
explore and discuss. From Friday evening through Sunday morning, the group
shared ideas and insights, made each other aware of new research and resources,
and even agreed to disagree when necessary. The discussions on the live
broadcast are never scripted, but the information culled from this meeting
becomes the structural guide.
The issues in the Planning Guide are a brief encapsulation of an entire weekend of intense discussion. The topics are not inclusive, but will help to focus the subsequent planning and actual discussion on the teleconference itself. Throughout the program, interventive strategies and practical suggestions will support the discussion. The panel will include case studies for illustration, and will include cultural issues as they impact on the ethical questions. As always, video clips from families and professionals will enhance the discussions.
Learn more about our distinguished panel.
Each year, HFA publishes a book in conjunction with the annual national bereavement teleconference. The book is an excellent stand-alone resource, with contributions on a wide range of topics by experts in the field as well as from family caregivers. The book will be available at many teleconference sites, but can also be ordered directly by individuals; simply call us at 800-854-3402 for ordering information. See the full Table of Contents.
Richard Fife, Ph.D., is head of the Chaplaincy Program and Chair of the Ethics Committee for the VITASHealthcare Corporation. He will serve as a panelist on this year's teleconference, and has also contributed an article to the book. Read about "Ethical Dilemmas in Hospice Care".
In addition to the wide range of issues addressed in the book through the chapters, members of the National Hospice Work Group contributed a number of excellent case studies to illustrate many of the ethical issues hospices face at the end of life. Read the case study from the Hospice of the Bluegrass that deals with the issues of Autonomy and Medical Paternalism.
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Site Coordinator's Corner
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REGISTER AND WIN! Be sure to
register your organization as a downlink site for HFA's 12th annual national
bereavement teleconference, to be broadcast April 20. Sites registered by
February 18, 2005 will be automatically entered in a drawing to win one free box
of companion books for this year's broadcast. The winner will be posted to the
HFA Web site on March 1, 2005. You can
register online.
If you have questions or concerns about your registration, please send an email to telecon@hospicefoundation.org
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This newsletter is sent to more
than 6,400 subscribers on the 2nd Wednesday of
every month to keep you informed of what is happening in the fields of hospice,
grief and bereavement, and caregiving, as well as what's new at HFA. We
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This newsletter is published by
Hospice Foundation of America
Jack D. Gordon, Chairman
David Abrams, President
http://www.hospicefoundation.org
Board of Directors: Thomas E. Bryant, MD, JD; Myra MacPherson; Priscilla
Perry; Patricia Spulak; Thomas Spulak
© Hospice Foundation of America 2005
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