CALMER: A talking map for COVID-related proactive planning |
Check in |
Take a deep breath (yourself!) |
"How are you doing with all this?" (Take their emotional temperature.) |
Ask about COVID |
"What have you been thinking about COVID and your situation?" (Just listen.) |
Lay out issues |
"Here is something I want us to be prepared for."/"You mentioned COVID. I agree." |
"Is there anything you want us to know if you have COVID/if your COVID gets really bad?" |
Motivate them to choose a proxy and talk about what matters |
"If things took a turn for the worse, what you say now can help your family/loved ones." |
"Who is your backup person – who helps us make decisions if you can't speak? Who else?" (Having 2 backup people is best.) |
"We're in an extraordinary situation. Given that, what matters to you? About any part of your life? About your health care?" |
Make a recommendation – if they would be able to hear it |
"Based on what I've heard, I'd recommend [this]. What do you think?" |
Expect emotion |
Watch for this – acknowledge at any point |
"This can be hard to think about." |
Record the discussion |
Any documentation – even brief – will help your colleagues and your patient |
"I'll write what you said in the chart. It's really helpful, thank you." |