Debbie Ducille recently attended a webinar hosted by St Mary’s University Twickenham, which is the home of The Art of Dying Well Project under the directorship of Maggie Doherty.
The discussion and presentations were fast-paced but hugely informative, including research updates and observations from a range of health experts in the field. The project has written its own blog summarising the webinar here.
‘I found it a thought-provoking hour,’ Debbie reflected. ‘In Anna Chaplaincy, our focus is, quite rightly, upon the accompaniment and physical presence of a chaplain with another person and their family/carers in later years, often at the end of life.’ This is also held as a priority by those participating in the webinar, but in addition they have taken the opportunity to signpost the value of:
personalised digital care plans, allowing patients to express preferences for end-of-life care, drawn up alongside GPs and other healthcare providers
enhancing access and online support for patients and their carers
digital technologies that can enhance physical presence and support of people at the end of their lives or those living with a form of dementia, e.g. social robotics, wearable devices, etc.
‘In this complex arena, I am grateful for The Art of Dying Well Project and their leadership in navigating such discussions with sensitivity,’ Debbie concluded.
Comments