Ethnogeriatric Considerations: Toward Culturally Sensitive Care

11/03/09 • 0 min

Guest: Alan Abrams, MD, MPH
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD

As our older patient population grows more diverse, it will become increasingly important to understand how to best communicate with patients, and their families, about values and expectations. In addition, teams of medical providers come from different backgrounds, so good dialogue within the team is crucial to providing quality care to patients. What should we keep in mind when caring for our older patients, who may be from cultures than our own? Dr. Alan Abrams, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes that the skills of ethnogeriatric communication are learnable, teachable and paramount to medicine. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.

Guest: Alan Abrams, MD, MPH
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD

Previous Episode

Kidney Failure & Dialysis in Long-Term Care Medicine

Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Manjula Kurella Tamura, MD, MPH

How do the processes leading to kidney failure differ for various patient populations? What special considerations should physicians keep in mind when caring for patients in long-term care facilities undergoing dialysis? Dr. Manjula Kurella Tamura, nephrologist and assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, reviews findings from a study regarding functionality for patients undergoing dialysis. Dr. Kurella Tamura points out that although dialysis may increase longevity, it may not improve quality of life. What is recommended for optimal care of patients with kidney failure? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.

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A Compassionate Presence: Reiki as Alternative Pain Management

Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Harold Bob, MD, CMD

If you were told there was a method of reducing pain that was low- or no cost, not harmful, and effective, would you be interested in learning more? Nothing can replace evidence-based medicine, but the human connection between physician and patient can go a long way to reducing patients' pain and suffering. How can Reiki and other alternative healing methods complement conventional evidence-based medicine? Dr. Harold Bob, managing partner of a group practice in Reisterstown, Maryland, and medical director at two nursing homes and a hospice in Maryland, discusses the benefits Reiki has brought to his patients and suggests ways all physicians can apply the basic principles of this method in their own practices to connect with patients. How big of a difference can compassionate presence bring to a patient's quality of life and well being? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.