The Scientific Method of Compassion: Lessons from a Palliative Care Career

Needs Statement

Faculty and trainees within the Department of Medicine who are involved in the care of patients need to receive regular updates on recent advances and guidelines in the field of internal medicine. Clinical scenarios will be used to review the current management of common medical conditions, including chronic pain and opioid abuse. Multidisciplinary sessions will also be used to educate learners about human trafficking and the role of physicians in identifying and assisting victims in the community. The overall aim of the series is to advance clinical knowledge, enhance the quality of patient care, and improve treatment outcomes.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, the participants should be able to:

• Describe research challenges in palliative care.
• Identify three gaps in the evidence base for palliative care.
• Recognize ethical challenges resulting from unequal access to high-quality end-of-life care.
• Apply health services research methods to evidence gaps.

Target Audience

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of the participation in the activity.

This activity has been designated by Baylor College of Medicine for 1 credit of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.

Term of Approval

October 1, 2024 through October 31, 2026. Original release date: October 1, 2024.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.