Mass General
Massachusetts General Hospital
Living Well Through Palliative Care with Dr. Vicki Jackson
Living Well Through Palliative Care with Dr. Vicki Jackson
Living Well Through Palliative Care with Dr. Vicki Jackson
Wednesday 27th November 2019
Dr. Vicki Jackson discusses how palliative care enhances quality of life for patients facing serious illness in this episode of 'Charged'.
43 minutes
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Encouraging
Engaging
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Mass General
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Holistic Health Innovations
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Innovative Healing Arts
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Parenting & Children
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Get the buttons here!Thriving Through Palliative Care: Dr. Vicki Jackson's Insights on Living Well
I'm feeling like I'm really trying to push patients to spend a lot of time thinking about they're going to be living in uncertainty for years, and even if they're five years out and we think they're essentially cured, we just don't know.
The holiday season can be a tough time, especially if you or a loved one is grappling with a serious illness. In this heartening episode of 'Charged', Dr. Vicki Jackson, a palliative care specialist at Mass General, sheds light on how palliative care can help patients live well, regardless of their diagnosis or circumstances.
Often misunderstood as end-of-life care, palliative care is actually suitable for any stage of a serious illness and focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life. Dr. Jackson discusses the vital role of palliative care in managing physical symptoms like pain and nausea, as well as addressing emotional and spiritual needs. She emphasizes the importance of alleviating patients' fears by helping them understand their diagnosis and treatment options.
This approach is particularly crucial during the holidays when stress and emotions run high. The conversation also explores the significant impact of palliative care in cancer treatment. Dr. Jackson explains how it can assist in managing the side effects of treatments like chemotherapy and provide much-needed emotional support to both patients and their families. Interestingly, studies have shown that palliative care can not only improve quality of life but also potentially extend it.
Family members and caregivers often bear a heavy burden when a loved one is seriously ill. Dr. Jackson highlights how palliative care can ease this burden by improving the patient's symptoms and offering resources like respite care and support groups for caregivers. She also touches on the growing role of technology in palliative care, from apps that help manage symptoms to telemedicine that connects patients with specialists remotely. Living with uncertainty is another challenge that comes with serious illness. Dr.
Jackson encourages patients to find purpose in their lives, whether through spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or giving back to the community. She also underscores the importance of self-care for caregivers, who often neglect their own needs while caring for others. Tune in to this episode of 'Charged' for valuable insights from Dr. Vicki Jackson on how palliative care can help patients and their families navigate serious illness with greater ease and dignity.