What Have We Learned So Far

This week, we've learned how complex the concept of suffering really is.

What Have We Learned?

Suffering is complex with multiple domains, and everyone has a unique experience and will need support that is customized to them.
How we can organize our understanding of the suffering experience.
How this can help bring some sense of order to the individual living with serious illness, their family and loved ones and those who are working to help and support them.
The difference between sympathy and empathy and the importance of empathic relationships that lead to compassion.
I encourage you to move on from the case of Ollie Green and talk with people who are living with serious illness about their experience.
In future steps and courses, we will learn about our own values and beliefs and the tools to improve our skills in communications, as well as practical things we can do to help with the many different problems people have. Our support is always through an empathic relationship in which we can help people have a better quality of life, concentrate on what is the most important, and bring a sense of control into what had been chaos.
I would remind you that we have titled this course Support Patients with Serious Illness. That is because we cannot make all suffering and distress go away. We can support people and their families in meaningful ways that can improve both the quality and potential quantity of life.