In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), which takes place this month, Queens Medical Associates, a preeminent blood disorders and cancer care facility, will be hosting its 3rd annual NHDD Awareness Day on April 18.
The objective is to increase awareness and educate their patients about the importance of advance care planning with hope to inspire and empower them to be proactive. Providing NHDD information is a key component of QMA’s integrative approach to care.
Advance care planning is more nuanced than simply deciding what medical interventions one would or would not want in the future. It involves clarification of personal values, identification of healthcare preferences, and selection of a representative (healthcare agent) who would be able to make healthcare decision if a person is unable to speak for him or herself.
“The National Healthcare Decisions Day presents an amazing opportunity to speak with our patients, their caretakers and family members about the importance of timely and personalized planning for their future care and ways to properly document their wishes,” explains Dr. Pavel Groysman, director of QMA’s new Supportive Oncology and Palliative Care program. “Our goal is to guide patients through the complexities of the modern healthcare system by providing education and access to materials and appropriate resources and encourage patients to advocate for themselves.”
Discussions and supporting materials will focus on the following issues:
- How to select the person I want to make medical care decisions for me when I no longer can do so
- What kind of medical interventions and treatments are appropriate and desired
- Should treatment efforts be focused on treatment of the illness or on best supportive and comfort care
- What I want my loved ones to know
Multiple QMA representatives will be on hand to share advice on the importance of having these vitally important conversations with healthcare providers and your family and friends – all key audiences in making your wishes known. Also covered will be appropriate and legal ways to document your advance directives (MOLST, NYS DNR, Healthcare Proxy forms)
Easy-to-understand brochures will be distributed throughout the day. All are invited to stop by the practice and pick up this information even if they don’t have the time to speak to a representative.
“We’re encouraging anyone who comes in during the course of the day to share these valuable materials with others in their family, workplace, and community,” says Dr. Groysman. “We want to help our community to be aware about importance of advance care planning.”
