“There Is Going to Be a Miracle”—Decision-Making When Religious Beliefs and Medical Realities Conflict (SA501)

Abstract

Patients and Family Caregivers. These efforts are diverse in purpose, geography, and size and represent some of the most ambitious, productive, and thriving consortia to study and improve palliative care. First we will review our experiences in creating and sustaining multisite collaborations, including how to engage stakeholders, review goals, appraise resources and costs, and reconcile the varying interests of members. Next we will provide examples of quality improvement projects and share preliminary results that highlight how rapid assessment and development of best practices can thrive in palliative care. Such examples include a pain management program through the PCQN, a dyspnea and constipation project within the Carolinas Consortium, and implementing an evidence-based concurrent oncology-palliative care model in settings with a majority of minority. During this session we will share our experiences, challenges, and lessons learned in establishing and sustaining five large quality improvement collaborations in palliative care. In addition, we will foster an open dialogue with the audience to promote development of similar programs in their local communities. Together we hope to build a mutual understanding of the power of quality improvement collaborations and a practical path forward so all may participate and benefit.