News

1. Bud participates in German Conference on Advance Directives

The German Ministry of Technology and Research funded a weeklong conference in May of 2006 on the topic of best use of advance directives in Germany. Only 12 participants were selected to attend from Germany (8 physicians, 2 social workers, 1 philosopher, and 1 theologian). There were two invited speakers from the USA:  Bud Hammes, Ph.D., Director of the Respecting Choices, and John Moskop, Ph.D, Professor of Medical Humanities and Director of the Bioethics Center at University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. Dr. Moskop is also a Respecting Choices Certified Instructor.

The conference was organized and planned by Professor Gabriele Wolfslast, Dr. Kurt W. Schmidt, and Dr. Sonja Rothärmel. Taking place at the Evangelische Akademie Arnoldshain, Bud presented the story of Respecting Choices in La Crosse and other parts of the USA, Australia, and Canada.  His talk clearly shifted the conversation away from advance directive documents to the need for a process of advance care planning and the need for a system to support the success of planning. The conference produced a 114 page report entitled: Vorausverfügen für das Lebensende: Implementierung von Patientenverfügung & Vorsorgevollmacht in die klinishe und ambulante Versorgung.  This report, along with a short paper on best practices, is being widely distributed in Germany in an effort to develop a more successful practice of advance care planning.

At the conference Bud was approached by one of the physician/researchers, Dr. Jürgen in der Schmitten. Bud worked with Dr. in der Schmitten during summer and fall of 2006 to write a proposal to conduct a study of how well Respecting Choices would work in a nursing home population in Germany. This research proposal is still under review in Germany.

2. Linda visits Advance Care Planning Team in Spain

Javier Judez is a physician and Research Area Manager (Foundation for Healthcare Education and Research) in Murcia, Spain. He learned of the Respecting Choices approach to advance care planning through his research investigation and received funding to attend the Respecting Choices Organization and Community Advance Care Planning National Course in La Crosse, WI in 2005. He became a certified instructor and left La Crosse with a desire to share his new learning with his colleagues back in Spain. Javier stayed in contact with Linda and Bud as he searched for an opportunity to integrate Respecting Choices into his community. While Linda was visiting her son, Patrick, who was attending school at the University of Madrid, Javier seized the opportunity and invited Linda to meet his research team in Murcia, present the Respecting Choices approach, and begin to dialogue on a potential partnership.

Linda's presentation to the research team in Murcia in April, 2006 was eloquently translated by Javier, as he has become well versed in the concepts and components of an effective advance care planning program. It was an exciting opportunity for Linda to meet several team members in Murcia who share similar challenges and concerns about how to address the health care planning needs of an aging population. Javier and his team continue to search for ways to partner with Respecting Choices.

3. Canadian Initiatives

Bud and Linda have provided consultation and education on the Respecting Choices approach to advance care planning to 2 health authorities in Canada: Fraser Health Authority and Calgary Health Region. With strong individuals and teams leading these initiatives, the Respecting Choices approach is embraced as a model for replication. The Calgary Health Region's initiative has decided to sponsor a Canadian Symposium on Advance Care Planning on May 3 & 4, 2007. The Symposium will address a growing need for health care leaders to support advance care planning with strategies for the development of systemic advance care planning approaches. Linda and Bud are featured speakers.

4. Partnership with "Let's Talk Texas", an initiative from TxPEC (Texas Partnership for End of Life Care)

Suze Miller (Executive Director) and Anne Moore (Director of Education and Partnerships), both Respecting Choices certified Instructors, received a grant from the Aetna Foundation to create a best practice standard that requires a collaborative process among patients, families and healthcare providers to assure that patient's end-of-life wishes are followed. One of the objectives of this project is to pilot the Respecting Choices advance care planning model in three different healthcare systems in Texas. Linda Briggs and Bud Hammes are serving as consultants for this grant. Linda is training Suze and Anne to become national faculty for Respecting Choices to increase the feasibility of replication and provide local leadership



NEW INITIATIVES

1. Progress of the Online Facilitator Program

To Educate, Guide, and Support

In January of 2006, Respecting Choices took another step forward by teaming up with a talented group of online education professionals in order to develop a series of six online learning modules. The development of these modules has been a long and winding road, and we are learning more and more every day. However, the overall objectives have not changed. It was, and continues to be, our hope that with these online modules we can present a more consistent and reliable method of providing quality information. Feedback from those who have taken the course continually shows us that our hopes have been realistic. We truly feel that Respecting Choices has moved in the right direction and has made the challenge of educating health care professionals about advance care planning much less complicated.

2. New Basic and Role of RN online programs

After developing the 6-module course, it was agreed upon that a program should be designed to better meet the immediate educational needs of health care staff. It was decided that Respecting Choices would create two new modules to add to the online learning curriculum: Basic Concepts and The Role of the RN. Both modules take about a half-hour to complete, yet cover all the fundamentals.  Basic concepts provides a thorough overview of advance care planning and also the Respecting Choices approach.  As a follow-up to the Basic module, the RN module specifically focuses on the role of the nurse.

We have been receiving excellent feedback on the appropriateness and ease of use that these modules possess, and are looking forward to working with health care systems worldwide in their quest to educate others about advance care planning. Please continue to check back for more information about the progress of these modules.

3. Update on Instructor Recertification process

Due to updates in the Organization and Community course curriculum, instructors have been asked to complete a re-certification. The addition of online learning modules has changed the way that the Organization and Community course is presented and it was essential for Respecting Choices to make sure that instructors are aware of these changes and feel comfortable with them.

The first part of this re-certification is to have each instructor complete our 6 module online learning course. By taking the online course, instructors can see first hand how these new modules are fast becoming a valuable tool for Respecting Choices. Once completed with the modules, instructors are able to participate in a one-hour phone conference with Linda Briggs that explains [in detail] the changes to the in-class curriculum, including new handouts and tools to promote skill development and documentation. Also included in re-certification is an updated instructor's manual which includes new materials such as interview skill guides, satisfaction post ACP, and a DVD with three videos.

*Please contact Matthew Isbell if you have any questions.  (800)362-9567 x54887, (608)775-4887, mrisbell@gundluth.org.