After ten years as a hospitalist, I gave up my practice and accepted a position as Palliative Care Medical Director at Eden Medical Center. I believe the realm of Palliative Care embodies patient empowerment and a focus on quality of life through a comprehensive appreciation of the patient as a physical, psychosocial and spiritual entity. This approach is a departure from traditional Western medical teaching and is often misunderstood by many experienced and well-intentioned health care providers.

One of my principal challenges is about educating, not only patients and their families, but other physicians and healthcare providers. In my practice, I employ a holistic approach to the care of my patients because of my own philosophy of care as well as my passion in integrative medicine. I believe in the power of affirmations and apply principles I’ve learned from many sources. Some of my influences include Louise Hay, Eckhart Tolle, and Andrew Weil. Meditation is a therapeutic practice in my life and can be beneficial to an individual who is wanting to accentuate their health. Nutrition is an extremely important component to augment the medical treatment of each person. Depending on the individual’s interests, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and Naturopathy may be important components of the treatment process.

Palliative Care encompasses the entire spectrum of disease course from diagnosis to end of life care. Medical decision making can be very stressful and difficult. I regard each individual patient in the context of their personal values and beliefs. The power of quality of life and patient empowerment through understanding the disease process and treatment options are therapeutic forces in the care of our patients. In that respect, my role is to guide and support the goals of care and quality of life of each person and their family. I partner with the patient, their family, and members of the medical team to best understand the goals and create a plan to best support the person.

Palliative care is a focus on quality of life which is unique for each individual. The ultimate goal of palliative care can be accomplished in any setting, but the hospital happens to be where people encountering serious disease may recognize their need for this more than at any other time in their lives.

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