No one is ever ready to hear that they have a life-changing diagnosis. For patients and families, this news brings a whirlwind of emotions, fears, and uncertainties. This is especially true for patients who are diagnosed with lung diseases that can make it difficult to breathe, profoundly affecting daily life and leading to significant physical and emotional suffering. This is where palliative care comes in.

Palliative care offers an interdisciplinary approach to treatment. that goes beyond addressing only the medical aspects of a disease. It's not just about managing pain. It's about enhancing quality of life at every stage of illness and addressing the various needs of patients, their families, and caregivers when navigating life with a serious illness. By focusing on quality-of-life palliative care, palliative care ensures that patients are met with compassion. and treated with dignity as they face the challenges of a serious illness.

In this episode of Science Never Sleeps, we're joined by Dr. Kathleen Lindell, associate professor in the College of Nursing and the Mary Swain Endowed Chair in Palliative Care. Dr. Lindell has extensive clinical experience working to improve support available to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. She's a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. where she received her bachelor's and master's of science in nursing, as well as her PhD. Her research focuses on promoting palliative care knowledge and preparedness to improve the quality of life for patients with advanced lung disease, specifically IPF, and their caregivers.

Episode Links:

A Program of SUPPORT: Pulmonary & Palliative Care with Dr. Kathleen Lindell

College of Nursing equips student with palliative care training

Nurse-Led Palliative Care Clinical Trial Improves Knowledge and Preparedness in Caregivers of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis