PA POLST On-Demand Continuing Education Modules Now Available!
The much-anticipated redesigned PA POLST continuing education modules are now available for on-demand learning. These modules provide an interactive learning opportunity for practitioners seeking to enhance their ability to have POLST conversations with patients. A multidisciplinary statewide POLST Curriculum Committee participated in the development of these modules, which cover the following topics:
Module 1 - Introduction to POLST (2.5 CME or CNE credits): Highlights the differences between Advance Directives and POLST, critical aspects of the POLST form, and how to master POLST conversations with patients and their support teams.
Module 2 - Overview of POLST and Advance Directives (1.5 CME or CNE credits): Explores the necessity of advance care planning and the function of the POLST document, the Out-of-Hospital DNR, critical elements of a POLST discussion, how to complete a POLST form appropriately, and the necessary components for POLST implementation.
Module 3 - POLST Conversations (coming soon!)
Module 4 - POLST Tools (0.5 CME or CNE credits): Provides tools to facilitate effective POLST conversations, including critical discussion points and helpful phrases for POLST conversations and cultural and spiritual awareness.
Module 5 - POLST Implementation(1.5 CME or CNE credits): Explores the essential components of a successful POLST implementation, including recommended policy and procedures and quality indicators to evaluate appropriate POLST use.
Module 6 - Medicare Reimbursement for Advance Care Planning Discussions (0.5 CME or CNE credits): Reviews Medicare reimbursement criteria and codes for advance care planning and POLST conversations with patients.
Module 7 - Carousel Cases (0.5 CME or CNE credits): Presents case-based scenarios to facilitate the practice of crucial POLST conversation points.
Emergency Medical Services and POLST (0.5 CME or CNE credits): Reviews Pennsylvania’s Advance Directive law and provides an overview of the role of EMS personnel in POLST, as well as guidance in identifying the differences between Out-of-Hospital DNR and POLST documentation.
Cultural Competency and POLST (coming soon!)
These self-paced modules are now available in the new PA POLST Learning Center at www.papolst.org/learning-center. Learners will be able to receive a total of 7.5 CME or CNE credits for completing the online modules. There is no cost for the continuing education credits.
This project was supported by a grant from the McElhatten Foundation to enhance access to POLST education and resources for healthcare providers and personnel throughout Pennsylvania.
Please share this information with your colleagues!
New End-of-Life Learning Opportunity
Applications are now open for the new Death and Dying Series: Enhancing Conversation Skills. This series takes on a key challenge: the reality that professionals are not well prepared to deal with or talk about death, dying, and grieving families. This education series, modeled after the popular Death and Dying Fellowship for graduate students offered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, provides healthcare professionals with an opportunity to learn, confront, and discuss the legal, medical, social, cultural, familial, and spiritual aspects of death and dying within a multidisciplinary group in a low-pressure environment. Gain the skills you need to have meaningful end-of-life conversations with your patients and their families.
Practitioners within Pennsylvania seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in end-of-life care are encouraged to apply for the virtual learning series. The series will run on seven Wednesdays in September and October from 3–5 pm via Zoom. Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/DeathDyingSeries. Applications are due Monday, August 22, 2022, and the first session is Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
Recording of "Trust in the Ruins" Lecture Now Available
In case you missed it, “Advance Directives: Are We Expecting More Than They Can Deliver?” presented by Dr. Susan Tolle, director of OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care and Chair of the Oregon POLST Coalition, is available for viewing online. This lecture was part of the Center for Ethics in Health Care’s "Trust in the Ruins" lecture series from earlier this year. Dr. Tolle examined ways that advance directives are effective and reviewed data about their shortcomings. The recording and slides are available on the Center for Ethics in Health Care website.
POLST e-Registry and Interoperability Virtual Session Materials Available
Amy Vandenbroucke, JD, has left her role as executive director at National POLST. In her announcement, she shared, “While I’m excited about my new adventures, I am sad to be leaving National POLST and all the amazing people that I have met over the last nine years. I’ve been excited to see all the incredible work you’ve done to implement POLST in your state and appreciate your support of the work I’ve been doing nationally: we’ve been a good team! We have accomplished a lot together, and I know POLST as a concept and National POLST as an organization will continue to succeed because of this work and your dedication.” Amy is an Assistant Professor at Oregon Health & Science University and an Instructor at The University of Portland and will be increasing her teaching load at both institutions.
We thank Amy for her leadership and guidance during her tenure with National POLST and wish her well as she expands her teaching responsibilities.
PMDA Fall Regional Meeting to Highlight Recommendations from NASEM Report on Long-Term Care
The Pennsylvania Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (PMDA) will hold its fall regional meeting on September 21, 2022, from 6–7 pm via Zoom. This session will focus on the impacts of the call for nursing home reform made in the recent report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). It will also examine recent changes in physician documentation and how these changes may play a role in practice patterns for PALTC practices.
Alex Bardakh, MPP, PLC, director of public policy and advocacy for AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, will be the featured speaker. Learn more and register at https://na.eventscloud.com/website/41907/home
