The POLST

Conversation Teaching Techniques

To Facilitate

The Conversation

Content Developed and Presented by:

Joanne Hatchett, MSN, RN, FNP

&

Chris Evans, MSN, RN.

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Curriculum Development Goals

Goals were driven by:

California is a large, diverse state

Education for providers in multiple types of

healthcare settings plus community

Importance of Advance Health Care

Directive

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Curriculum Goals

Importance of the POLST Conversation

Educational materials:

Simple, clear and concise

Comprehensive content

Flexible for use in multiple health care

settings

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California POLST Project

C oalition for

The Coalition for Compassionate Care of California (CCCC) provides

leadership and oversight for POLST outreach activities in California, with

support from the California HealthCare Foundation.

C ompassionate

C are of

C alifornia

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POLST Conversation

A rich conversation with

each individual patient

Comprehensive Education

To promote excellent conversational

skills with patients and families

Consistent Form

Standardized form recognized

across care settings

Translating an individual’s wishes for care during serious or chronic illness

into medical orders that honor those preferences for medical treatment.

Community Collaboration

Integrating POLST into the

community standard of care

California POLST Project

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Teaching the POLST Conversation

Demonstrate the Conversation

Power Point Presentation

Role Plays, both scripted (to focus on key

aspects of the Conversation) and open-

ended

Case Studies

POLST Carousel Brainstorm

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Additional Tools for

POLST Conversations

POLST Script and Cue Cards

Diagram of POLST Medical Interventions

POLST Conversation Points: Key

Information

Demonstration of a POLST Conversation

Cultural and Spiritual Awareness

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Diagram of POLST Medical Interventions

CPR

Full Treatment*

DNR

Comfort Measures

Limited Interventions

*Consider time/prognosis factors under “Full Treatment” “Defined trial period. Do not keep on prolonged life support.”

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Role Play Demonstration

Role Play #3 “Change in Medical Condition”

Key Points:

Completing a new POLST, Role of Decisionmaker

2 to 4 Participants:

Staff, Resident, Observer (optional), Resident’s

Daughter (optional)

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Role Play Directions

• Identify Roles and Read Your Instructions:

For your role: Follow instructions as outlined

• Staff – Using POLST Cue Card and POLST form,

begin the POLST Conversation

• Resident & Daughter – Answer according to script

• Observer/Timekeeper – Track time (15 minutes)

Read instructions (4 minutes)

Role play; take notes (6 - 7 minutes)

Feedback, from you and participants (4 minutes)

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POLST Carousel Brainstorm

An engaging, thought-provoking, interactive

activity

Critical thinking using POLST knowledge

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Additional Teaching Tools

Go Wish Card Exercise

Available in English and Spanish

www.coalitionccc.org or www.gowish.org

Advance Health Care Directive

Completion and review as part of class