What do general pediatrics and outpatient palliative care have in common? (Thoughts from a palliative doc who started medical life thinking he’d be a general pediatrician…)
#hapc

And we close with a “top ten” list of cautions and guidance for those encountering humor in clinical work day to day…

We listed some examples of how this plays out (using my own art)…

In our paper, we suggest the most important thing to consider is the source and the object… who’s making the humor and what is it about?? Some source/object combos are off limits, some high risk, some generally safe.

It may seem obvious, but patients get more leeway than docs!

Patients use humor for coping, to communicate around sensitive topics, to build rapport, or to reassert control in scary times…

clinicians also use humor to cope, build rapport, or even lighten the mood. But when’s the wrong time or the right time!?

How do those caring for folks with serious illness navigate humor?? Patients and family often bring humor to encounters, and many say they appreciate it from providers…

Happy to have paired up w PC SW Melissa Rizzollo to write some fun guidance for @j-palliativemed.bsky.social #hapc

If you get stronger…
#hapc

When none of the discharge options fits…

I never promise we can make all the pain go away, as there are parts of medical suffering we’ll probably never tame, but I love the wins when we’re able to make a difficult day feel a bit more bearable.

Answer data questions with data. Answer emotion and meaning questions with empathy and humility…

Magic in the air ❤️💕 Happy Hospital Valentine’s tomorrow!

When discussing serious health issues with patients, it’s crucial to ask permission each time a new sensitive topic is broached… people may have specific needs, timing, or preferences they’d like to voice before you “go there.”

(Family meeting nemeses...) Reminded of this one rounding on inpatient palliative consults today… the hospital can be a busy, noisy place. ❤️ #hapc

My annual holiday greeting for those working the hospital this season… 🎁

One of my favorite types of cartoon to draw for a break from a heavy day is “medical-term-brought-to-life…”

2/2 #hapc #grief

In honor of Bluesky migration, I’m going to try to regularly re-post some of my favs from the archives for those here who don’t know me. This one on a valuable lesson I learned about tissues from @vickieleff.bsky.social (1/2)
#hapc #graphicmedicine

Hello! I’m a palliative doc and after-hours cartoon/comic artist using graphic art as a medium for storytelling and advocacy in the serious illness space. May still post in the other place but looking for a less muddled space to share... #hapc #graphicmedicine