Zackery
Dunnells,
BS, MS Candidate
BS, MS Candidate
University of Oklahoma
In 2016, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the Ohio State University in Neuroscience and Psychology. I worked as a clinical research assistant in a lab that focused on risk and resilience factors associated with family adjustment to life-threatening or chronic childhood illnesses for years before I returned to school to get my Master of Social Work degree at the University of Oklahoma in 2019. In August of 2021, I will have completed that degree and plan to work as a medical social worker.
Presenting at the Nexus Summit:
Few healthcare caregivers receive formal training about end-of-life (EOL) communication skills. Given the growing population of patients with chronic and life-limiting illnesses, caregivers in all professions need to be comfortable at leading a difficult conversation. Historically, EOL conversations have been led by physicians. Other healthcare professionals including nurses and psychosocial providers bring a unique perspective to these conversations but are often excluded. Not only do these providers have diverse understandings about the patient and family based on their training and role in…