title: Palliative Care in the Emergency Department.
abstract: As the geriatric population increases in the United States, there is an increase in number of visits to emergency departments for end-of-life and palliative care. This provides the emergency physician with a unique opportunity to alleviate and prevent further suffering in this vulnerable population. Competency in communication strategies that support shared decision making and familiarity with medicolegal terminology increase physician confidence about addressing complaints at the end of life. Familiarity with evidence-based recommendations for symptom management of pain at the end of life aids the emergency physician in creating a positive experience for the patient and their loved ones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Building 6, Suite 1B-25, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Alyssia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McEwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Building 6, Suite 1B-25, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. Electronic address: Joshua.Silverberg@nbhn.net.
authors.forename: Joshua Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Silverberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D013689:Telephone; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods
keywords: Communication; Emergency medicine; End of life; Geriatric; Palliative care; Surrogate