Looking Into the Heart of a Hospice Physician

Hospice physician Lauren Templeton knows the power of pausing, taking a moment to reflect on end of life wishes even when things are tense and chaotic. Dr. Templeton is a fierce advocate and a strong voice for advance care planning, palliative care, and upstream discussions about end of life. As a hospice medical director, Lauren walks alongside seriously ill patients and their caregivers. She says she’s learned to appreciate the fullness of her own life from working in hospice. Dr. Templeton will tell you a typical day in the life of a hospice doctor is unpredictable, involving both clinical and administrative responsibilities. Troubleshooting symptom management with nurses, prescribing the appropriate medications, and documenting in the clinical record are some of the tasks included in the medical director job. Lauren brings her heart to this work and finds meaning in the care of her patients.   If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Need a dynamic speaker for your event or conference? Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak by sending an email to [email protected]. Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)  Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.