This week Justin and Anuj sat down with palliative care physician Dr. Emily Rice and nurse consultant Jamie Campbell to clear up what might be the most misunderstood area of healthcare. Spoiler alert: if you think palliative care is just end-of-life care in a hospital, you’re wrong—and you’re not alone. From the surprising truth that patients with palliative care actually live longer than those without it, to discovering that your family doctor is likely already providing palliative care without calling it that, Emily and Jamie dismantle misconceptions while explaining what this “contractor for your health” approach really means. Covering a massive geographic area from Antigonish to Canso with just two physician positions, the team—which includes social workers and even a music therapist—helps patients navigate everything from symptom management at home to difficult conversations about goals and quality of life. Along the way, Justin and Anuj learn how we’ve medicalized death and why that is not always in a patient’s best interest, how the Antigonish Palliative Care Society (yes, the poultry box people!) provides crucial support, and why having these conversations with your family now matters more than you think. Tune in for an honest, surprisingly uplifting look at care that meets people exactly where they are.
Important links provided by Dr. Rice:
Antigonish Palliative Care Society: https://www.antigonishpalliativecaresociety.com/
Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association: https://nshpca.ca/
Canadian Virtual Hospice: https://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home.aspx
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Society: https://www.chpca.ca/
BC Centre for Palliative Care: https://www.bc-cpc.ca/
Palliative Care Physician and Author Dr. Kathryn Mannix: Dying for Beginners Video
Palliative Care Public Service Announcement Videos by Dr. Jared Rubinstein: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1dPS3PDtoPgPqR3Z-lazrkAceGwmg1_r
The Waiting Room Revolution: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/
and wherever you get your podcasts, start with season 1
Advanced Care Planning
Love is Not Enough: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-9dMSJLk6gpTw5WlzbL4INuzqjGJBfh_
NS Hospice Palliative Care: https://nshpca.ca/advance-care-planning/
Grief
NS Health Life Changes resources: https://www.nshealth.ca/lifechanges#bereavement
