|
Caring for ICU Cancer Patients β and Yourself!
Peter B. Angood, MD, FCCM
President
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Critical Connections remains an exceedingly important publication for the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). Since the inception of this newsmagazine, editorial duties have escalated, and the publication schedule has become more complex, but these new challenges are the results of success. Kudos and congratulations to everyone involved in the writing, reviewing and publishing processes for this highly informative SCCM publication. From my office within the organization, thank you all for a fine effort and for everything you provide in the way of timely, quality information for the discipline of critical care medicine. Your efforts genuinely are appreciated.
The topics and issues addressed in Critical Connections are definitely cutting-edge. The Society's efforts to serve the needs of each individual and each organization associated with SCCM's mission are sincere and fully committed. The intensive care unit (ICU) cancer patient, the focus of this issue of Critical Connections, presents a true challenge. This is a population that each of us struggles with because of our inherent need to clarify the goals of treatment proactively within the context of a patient's disease status. Clinicians are compelled to reassess tenets of care for this group frequently due to the pressures that come with patient and family expectations for a suitable quality of life, the fluctuating availability of ICU beds and the ever-changing nature of cancer treatment protocols. Physiologically, and organizationally by analogy, these patients frequently stress the multisystem and multiprofessional overlaps necessary to obtain successful goals of treatment. Communication is a paramount priority when managing these patients. End-of-life care often is a component of the management
Many factors contribute to the exceedingly stressful job environments of critical care providers. For those critical care providers who have family members with cancer, have or have had cancer themselves, or have been touched emotionally by their interactions with cancer patients, please recognize that SCCM is an organization that cares about you. There is finally recognition in the literature that paying attention to the physical and emotional needs of critical care providers and offering support to these providers should be a priority in the workplace.
Too often, the traditional adage, βit's character building,β fails to address the needs of providers properly. Seeking counsel from friends, peers, supervisors and the employee assistance offices now found in most institutions should be a routine process for anyone managing the personal stress of an ICU work environment. Still, more needs to be done to provide supportive work environments within ICUs so that the stress of managing these types of patients does not become unhealthy or destructive disaster management. Continuing education credit also is available. to the success of a provider's career path. Please help us better identify additional topics to develop as an organization so that we can all make the ICU workplace a model community within healthcare. Each of us should be able to live our lives by working hard and playing hard with time for rest and relaxation. Let us know your thoughts.
Parting thoughts for this issue
My term as SCCM president is roughly half finished; and, quite naturally, I have paused to consider if there is any noticeable change occurring with my tenure or whether I am simply looking after the shop to make sure it will remain in solid shape for my successors. I believe I am doing some of both. As a group, the SCCM Executive Committee, the SCCM Council and the SCCM staff have worked methodically and exceedingly hard at resetting many of the basic components of the organization to ensure SCCM is prepared for the eventualities of an uncertain healthcare future. I cannot thank these individuals enough for their superb commitment and vision for SCCM. Additionally, we continue to expand SCCM's horizons aggressively. There is a very palpable sense that the organization's scope of influence in healthcare is at a high point in terms of being noticed and respected. We are recognized as a leading healthcare organization nationally and internationally. This success also comes from the commitments and efforts of SCCM's volunteer members. By recognizing the power of volunteer efforts and the unique support found in this community, it is very easy for me to not become too stressed about my role as SCCM's president. Thank you for making this year as enjoyable as it has been so far. Please draw on the SCCM community to help your stress levels remain controllable and healthy.
Take care. |
|
|
| |