Dr. Ricker discusses the common conditions and criteria for who to refer to hospice and the benefits of hospice.

Learning Objectives:
1. When to refer to hospice
2. Curative vs. Palliative Care

3. Myths regarding Hospice Care and Services

4. Hospice: Core Services and Levels of CARe

5.  Non-Cancer Diagnoses

6. End of Life Care Discussions

7. Pain Management at EOL

The Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians and designates this program for a maximum of 2 AOA Category 1-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.

Grievances Related to the Returned CME Program Administration and Evaluation Document – It is the policy of the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association (IOMA) that all grievances related to the returned CME program administration and evaluation document will be referred to the Board of Trustees and whatever action they deem necessary will be taken.

Faculty

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Bruce W. Ricker, D.O. is a graduate of the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa.  He completed his rotating internship at Phoenix General Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians with certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine.

Dr. Ricker is currently in private practice in Mount Ayr, Iowa and is medical director of the Hospice of Central Iowa in Mount Ayr as well as the Clearview Nursing Home and Mount Ayr Health Care Center.  He received the Spirit of Hospice Award from the Iowa Hospice Association and the IOMA Physician of Year Award in 2003.

Dr. Ricker discloses that he has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients relative to the content of this presentation.