Hospice & Palliative Care

Speakers:
Terry Altilio, LCSW, APHSW-C
Palliative Social Work Consultant

Anne M. Kelemen, LICSW, APHSW-C
Private Practice, Palliative Care Consulting

Purpose: This webinar continues the discussion of the power of language in both written and spoken healthcare communication. While policy mandates have driven the “Open Notes” initiative, concerns about bias and inequity have increased attention to the unintended consequences of both written and verbal communication. Through the integration of patient, family, and clinician perspectives, this webinar will also examine language embedded in policy, media, and palliative and hospice communication protocols. The session is intended to foster shared reflection, introduce emerging research, and explore concepts such as testimonial injustice and structural competence as pathways to help clinicians move beyond assumptions and cultivate communication that strengthens trust and relationships.

Objectives:

1. Analyze quotes from patients, families, and clinicians that invite critical reflection on commonly used language (e.g., “need,” “wish,” “loved one,” suffering), examining terms that can create connection rather than distance
2. Identify examples of political and social messaging that are quietly infused throughout our culture and practice that impact relationships, care, decisions, and trust in patients, families, and communities
3. Expand on the concept of testimonial injustice and introduce structural competence linking both constructs to potential outcomes influenced by word choice and language that is used in conversation and documentation
4. Integrate examples of emerging research that invite revision of standard palliative care communication strategies to move beyond assumption and generalization in order to further individualize care across populations

Target Audience: Primary care providers, nurse practitioners, palliative care specialists, pain specialists, registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses with a specialty in palliative care/hospice, social workers, allied health professionals, fellows, residents, and medical students

Criteria for Successful Completion:

1. Attendance at the entire session (Dial-in/audio-only phone connections are not accepted)
2. Submission of completed evaluation form

Continuing Education Credits: 1.0

Continuing Education Accreditation

Physicians: The AAFP has reviewed MJHS 2026-2027 Interprofessional Webinar Series, and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. Term of approval is from 09/10/2026 to 08/31/2027. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This session The Power of Language: Linking Word Choice to Inequity and Outcomes | A Deeper Dive (Part 2) is approved for 1.0 online AAFP Elective credits.

Note: Physicians should contact their respective licensing boards and specialty certification boards about acceptance of AAFP Elective credits when attempting to satisfy CME credit requirements.

Nurses: The MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care is an approved provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Social Workers: MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0242.

Fees:
Individual: Free (includes CME/CE certificate)
Group: Free (includes unlimited CME/CE certificates)

System Requirements for Computers and Mobile Devices:
https://support.goto.com/webinar/help/system-requirements

If you plan to join from a mobile device, please download the GoTo App (https://www.goto.com/download) from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone/iPad), so you can view the webinar and get continuing education or professional development credit.

Disclosures:
Terry Altilio, LCSW, APHSW-C, and Anne M. Kelemen, LICSW, APHSW-C, have no financial arrangements or affiliations with any commercial entities whose products, research, or services may be discussed in these materials. Any discussion of investigational or unlabeled uses of a product will be identified.

No Planning Committee Member has any disclosures.

Planning Committee Members
Myra Glajchen, DSW
Kerrianne P. Page, MD, HMDC
Joyce Palmieri, MS, RN, CHPN
Karen Richards, PhD, EdS