Physician Education and Training in Palliative Care: A New Challenge in Modern Cardiac Intensive Care

Abstract

Over time, as medicine and technology have advanced, the patient population in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) has become increasingly more complex and seriously ill. Now, more than ever, palliative care is imperative in providing patient-centered care, in the form of symptom management and end-of-life care, for this patient population. That being said, there is a paucity of guidance on how and what to teach future CICU intensivists in regard to palliative care. We propose that, in addition to understanding the clinical indications of therapies unique to the CICU, providers should master primary palliative care skills such as communication, decision-making, and symptom management. In this chapter we detail how these skills can be taught at the bedside, as well as through case reviews and didactics. Strengthening the palliative care skills of CICU providers will ensure that patient suffering is minimized and decisions are made in alignment with patient values and preferences.