Loma Linda University Health’s Post

Reflections on Leaving Family Practice My thanks to Dr. Ramsey Hijazi, founder of the OUFP, and one of the strongest advocates for improving family medicine that I know, for guest blogging for me today. Unfortunately, the government didn’t listen to Dr. Hijazi, and as a result he left family practice earlier this year. In this blog he reflects on how … Continue reading "Reflections on Leaving Family Practice"

Reflections on Leaving Family Practice My thanks to Dr. Ramsey Hijazi, founder of the OUFP, and one of the strongest advocates for improving family medicine that I know, for guest blogging for me today. Unfortunately, the government didn’t listen to Dr. Hijazi, and as a result he left family practice earlier this year. In this blog he reflects on how … Continue reading "Reflections on Leaving Family Practice"

Every patient I see in the clinic where I work gets printed Aftercare Instructions. These contain my recommendations for what medicines they should take and how they should care for themselves so they can get over whatever condition they came in for. If they follow these instructions carefully they have a good chance of feeling better soon. Sometimes, however, I think Aftercare Instructions are just a waste of paper. Why? A study was done several years ago found the most common item in the trash outside Urgent Care Centers or ER’s was Aftercare Instructions. These patients came to see a doctor, spent hundreds of dollars, and then throw away his advice! Crazy! Don’t we all do this, however? We come to the Heavenly Physician, seeking healing and relief from our illnesses, our worries and cares, our guilt, and He welcomes us, declaring, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37 NIV). He listens to our complaints, then, through His Word, provides us with Aftercare Instructions which, if followed, could change our lives. And what do we do? We throw away His advice, ignoring His instructions, and choosing to continue stumbling along, doing our own thing. Then we wonder why our lives are such a mess. And who gets the blame? God. It doesn’t have to be this way. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” In the Bible God has given us everything we need to lead happy fulfilling lives. If we follow His Aftercare Instructions, we can find healing for our wounded souls and hope for a better tomorrow. Today, don’t throw away His advice. Open His Word, follow His instructions, and there’s a good chance you’ll be feeling better soon.

Tomorrow we’ll be Guest Speakers for Patient Pathways’ special presentation on understanding the role of death doulas! Here’s the lowdown: What Does a Death Doula Do? A Special Presentation Discover the profound and diverse role of a Death Doula in our transformative workshop led by renowned experts, Jo-Anne Haun and Karen Hendrickson of Death Doula Network International. This immersive experience is designed to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care, filling the crucial gaps left by traditional medical and hospice services. In this enlightening session, you will gain invaluable insights into: • The essential function of death doulas in complementing existing care systems, providing emotional, spiritual, and practical support during one of life's most challenging transitions. • The significance of Advance Care Plans and Representation Agreements, including how they safeguard your wishes and ensure they are honored. • Key considerations for choosing a medical representative who can faithfully execute your healthcare preferences. • Strategies for engaging in courageous conversations about end-of-life choices, fostering open and honest dialogue with loved ones and healthcare providers. • Join us for an interactive journey filled with thought-provoking exercises that promise to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary for comprehensive end-of-life planning. Embrace this opportunity to understand the pivotal role doulas play in enhancing the quality of care and support during the final chapters of life. Free with registration: https://lnkd.in/gWYUM2ze

The Top 5 REGRETS in LIFE. Bronnie Ware worked as a nurse in palliative care, providing support and care to patients in the final weeks and months of their lives. Ware shares lessons from talking with dying people, highlighting their biggest regrets and what they learned at the end of life in her book 📕 “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.” They are: ➡ 1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. ➡ 2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard. ➡ 3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings ➡ 4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. ➡ 5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. These points offer profound lessons on how to live a life filled with meaning and authenticity. #life #lifelessons #selfdiscovery

So great to be in post-production! @NoCountryforOldPeople is needed now more than ever as Congress advances a bill to ban CMS from setting minimum safe staffing standards in nursing homes. This is the product of the millions of dollars in nursing home industry campaign contributions and lobbying (mostly paid with taxpayer dollars, by the way). It ignores the findings of a new study, Tunneling and Hidden Profits in Healthcare (Mar. 4, 2024), that analyzed related party transactions data for Illinois nursing homes (the Feds and nearly all other states don’t require nursing home owners to report related party transactions). Key takeaways: -      63% of nursing home profits were hidden and tunneled to related parties through inflated transfer prices. -      industry groups representing providers who rely heavily on public reimbursements plead poverty to advocate for higher reimbursement rates or against costly quality regulations, pointing to public cost reports that indicate artificially low or even negative profits due to tunneling. -      related party implied markups are substantial. These large markups correspond to staggering hidden profits...estimates suggest that reported nursing home profits reflect only 37.1% of total profits as of 2019. We should all be outraged that Congress is bending the knee to owners who have for years secretly tunneled billions of dollars in profits from their nursing homes (funded mostly by taxpayer dollars), while claiming they can’t afford adequate staffing and need more taxpayer dollars to stay in business. Beyond the outrage, here are some things you can do:   -      Support the completion of No Country for Old People, a docuseries exposing the nursing home industry, with your tax-deductible contribution at https://lnkd.in/ee4DNzDw -      Join and support advocacy groups like National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. Learn more about “Tunneling and Hidden Profits in Health Care” from the authors in a webinar hosted by National Consumer Voice. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eT2YhKFd -      Join the conversation about healthcare reform by joining an advocacy group like Health for the People. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eKHKUd4N - Stay tuned for more action items as we move toward completion of No Country for Old People Susie Singer Carter Don Priess National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care Lori Owen Smetanka Health for the People Keeli Tritz Gailes

🌼 National Palliative Care Week May 19 – 25 🌼 During National Palliative Care Week, let's embrace a conversation that delves into the core of our humanity – palliative care and end-of-life planning. Drawing from my experiences walking the halls of hospitals, aged care homes, and private residences as a registered nurse, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact this support can have on individuals and their families. End-of-life planning isn't merely a task to check off a list; it's a deeply personal journey that demands our attention and compassion. It's about honouring each person's wishes and dignity, ensuring their voices are heard and respected in their most vulnerable moments. Palliative care isn't about curing illness; it's about enhancing quality of life by easing symptoms and stress associated with serious conditions. It's a commitment to promoting comfort and dignity, regardless of the stage of illness. Let's tread this path with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to compassionate care. 🌻 Together, let's make a difference in the lives of those navigating challenging times. Whether through a personal message, volunteering your time, or simply offering a heartfelt thank you, your support can brighten someone's journey. Drop a comment below to show your support and solidarity for palliative care. #PalliativeCareWeek #EndOfLifePlanning #CompassionateCare #SupportOurCommunity #ThankYou

PRAYER & PURPOSE IN TODAY'S WORLD Hey, fellow healthcare heroes! This is especially for you hardworking nurses and people who want to become nurses in the future. Let's look at a little advice mix that was made by Myles Munroe and Jack Canfield. Imagine that being able to pray is more than just a link; it's like finding a treasure chest full of gifts. Myles Munroe once said, "Man's prayer to God opens everything and turns his impoverishment into wealth." That's deep, isn't it? When we pray, we connect with a source of plenty that turns our problems into chances. Let's add some of Jack Canfield's magic now. He talks about the power of purpose and making things happen. Imagine that prayer is your straight link to the most powerful person in the world. Being able to heal and stay healthy is like having the keys to the kingdom. So, remember this, my friends who work in or are studying healthcare: when you pray, you're not just asking; you're ordering with authority and power. For your own health and the health of those you care for, you are matching yourself with God's plan. Through prayer, you can already reach all the wealth, glory, and tools you need for your health care journey. It's more than just asking; you must believe and receive. So, keep those lines of communication open and keep praying with a purpose. You will be amazed at how having access to divine direction changes your practice and makes your life better. You can do this!

Caregivers are the unsung heroes in our lives, tirelessly dedicating themselves to the well-being of others. Whether it’s a spouse, parent, friend, or healthcare professional, showing appreciation for their hard work and compassion is essential. But how can we truly convey our gratitude in meaningful ways? Check out our blog for five heartfelt gestures to demonstrate how much we care: https://lnkd.in/gSpteK4h