Cultivating Curiosity in Chronic Illness Care

Completion of this class will result in the receipt of two and one-half (2.5) continuing education hours.

As treatments advance, more people are living longer with serious illnesses that in the past would have resulted in significantly limited lifespans. This interactive class will invite us to explore the impact of how illnesses that even recently might have been perceived as a “death sentence” might now be “managed” as a “chronic illness” requires adjustments for all parties – patients, their care partners, families, and clinicians. Living with the knowledge that treatments may be needed for years (or perhaps decades), and that any “twinge” may be an early indicator of progression can challenge even the most resilient. Health social workers play an important role in normalizing concerns, managing expectations, exploring the influence of culture, supporting adaptive coping, and in identifying resources to address the impact of social drivers on health. Yet, unfortunately, these are precisely the patients most likely to be missed with our referral “triggers.” We’ll discuss the importance of comprehensive screening, assessments and the cultivation of curiosity in chronic illness care so that we might better serve this vulnerable population.