Making Meaningful Inroads in Healthcare and Communities
Even from a distance, Compassion & Choices’ medical and public outreach efforts keep moving the movement forward.
Oct 28, 2020
Forging alliances with physicians, nurses, hospitals and hospices is a crucial part of Compassion & Choices’ work. These partnerships expand and strengthen the network of healthcare providers that offer comprehensive end-of-life care and support. Though the limitations necessary for keeping people safe during the pandemic have made connecting with the medical community more challenging, our staff and volunteers are persevering — with great success.
In October alone, we delivered an array of presentations and provided policy support on medical aid in dying nationwide, leading to a record number of hospices to add to our Find Care Tool. This online resource, updated regularly, allows people to search for a healthcare facility, medical team or hospice that will support their end-of-life choices.
Compassion & Choices also recently launched our Healthcare Advisory Council, a group of prominent professionals across the healthcare spectrum and the country who help us maintain our status as a credible source for clinical professionals discussing, improving and practicing end-of-life care. Composed of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains and others, the Healthcare Advisory Council offers invaluable perspectives to help shape effective communications for the healthcare community. Members will also conduct media outreach, provide legislative testimony and serve as guest speakers and panelists at events in their communities or nationally on topics such as advance care planning and telehealth.
Our virtual series, Death Dialogues, is now underway as well. These guided meetings, hosted via Zoom, are intended to normalize conversations surrounding the end of life for anyone with interest. “It’s a chance for people to meet and share their perspectives and stories surrounding death and dying,” says Campaign Associate Rose Ngo. “We’ve discussed dementia, various end-of-life options, advance directives, medical aid in dying, barriers to access and disparities in healthcare so far. It has been a great opportunity for us to engage the community, build capacity, provide education, recruit volunteers and ultimately spread Compassion & Choices’ mission and resources.”
Many of our presentations and webinars are open to all; check out what’s coming up.
