Palliatively Speaking

Palliatively Speaking
Podcast Description
In this podcast, host Toby Campbell dives into the inspiring journeys of clinicians from all corners of palliative care. You’ll hear from palliative care physicians, nurses, social workers, scientists, and chaplains who are making a profound impact through their groundbreaking research, advocacy work, innovative tools, and, of course, by being there for patients and families in their most vulnerable moments.
We’ll explore what drives them, how they got started, the challenges they've faced, and those moments of clarity that changed everything. Stick around; you’re about to be inspired and transformed.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes of compassion, resilience, and advocacy within palliative care. Episodes explore critical topics such as navigating uncertainty in pediatric palliative care and the integration of compassion in oncology, featuring examples like Dr. Arif Kamal discussing AI's role in enhancing compassionate care. The show emphasizes the challenges faced by providers, moments of clarity that shape their practice, and the importance of supporting vulnerable patients and families.

In this podcast, host Toby Campbell dives into the inspiring journeys of clinicians from all corners of palliative care. You’ll hear from palliative care physicians, nurses, social workers, scientists, and chaplains who are making a profound impact through their groundbreaking research, advocacy work, innovative tools, and, of course, by being there for patients and families in their most vulnerable moments.
We’ll explore what drives them, how they got started, the challenges they’ve faced, and those moments of clarity that changed everything. Stick around; you’re about to be inspired and transformed.
Guest: Rachelle Bernacki
Guest’s guest: Stephanie Harman
Summary: In this engaging podcast episode, Dr. Toby Campbell interviews Dr. Rachelle Bernacki, a palliative care physician and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, alongside guest Dr. Stephanie Harman. Dr. Bernacki shares her journey into palliative care and geriatrics, mentorship, and systemic change. She reflects on the development and scaling of the Serious Illness Conversation Guide, a tool now used globally, despite initial rejections and challenges in publishing the foundational research.
The interview shifts to a discussion about Dr. Bernacki’s transition to geriatric surgery and her collaboration with Dr. Zara Cooper to improve care for older surgical patients. This 16-million-dollar grant from the West Health Foundation focuses on practical changes like reducing harmful medications and preventing delirium among surgical patients. Dr. Bernacki emphasized the importance of persistence and curiosity to learn about a new clinical area and drive meaningful change.
Dr. Harman adds deeper insights into Dr. Bernacki’s leadership and their shared commitment to fostering supportive spaces in medicine. The episode closes with the ongoing national and global impact of Dr. Bernacki’s work, from New Zealand’s nationwide adoption of the Serious Illness Care Program to her current efforts in transforming hospital care for older adults.

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.