Difficult Conversations -Lessons I learned as an ICU Physician

The Problem with Dying with Dr. BJ Miller

October 03, 2023 Dr. Anthony Orsini Season 2 Episode 61
The Problem with Dying with Dr. BJ Miller
Difficult Conversations -Lessons I learned as an ICU Physician
More Info
Difficult Conversations -Lessons I learned as an ICU Physician
The Problem with Dying with Dr. BJ Miller
Oct 03, 2023 Season 2 Episode 61
Dr. Anthony Orsini

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, I have the distinct honor  to have another incredible guest and that is Dr. Bruce B.J. Miller, who is a longtime hospice and palliative care medicine physician as well as an author, TEDx presenter, and keynote speaker.  He has given over one hundred talks on the topics of death, dying, palliative care, and the intersection of healthcare with design.  Led by his own experiences as a patient, Dr. Miller advocates for the roles of our senses, community, and presence in designing a better ending.  His career has been dedicated to moving healthcare towards a human-centered approach. His 2015 Ted Talk, “What really matters at the end of life", has been viewed more than eleven million times, and his work has been the subject of multiple interviews and podcasts including Oprah Winfrey, PBS, The New York Times, and the Ted Radio Hour. We will be talking about his book, A Beginner’s Guide to the End,   Dr. Miller currently sees patients and families via Telehealth through Mettle Health, a company he co-founded with the aim to provide personalized holistic consultations for any patient or caregiver who needs help with navigating the practical, emotional, and existential issues that come with serious illness and disability.
 
We start out by hearing BJ Miller’s story, from his childhood experiences, his accident, and what brought him to working in palliative care medicine. BJ tells us a beautiful story about a nurse that locked eyes with him and held his hand upon arrival at the burn unit at St. Barnabas Hospital in New Jersey,. Dr. Orsini talks about the importance of human connection between doctors and patients and how BJ's story is very similar to Marcus Engel’s story who was a previous guest on this podcast.  BJ explains why we struggle with talking about dying which starts with denial. and he shares thoughts on what we need more of in this mission of medicine to help physicians,. Dr. Orsini talks about how training is so limited with physicians which is why he’s dedicated the last ten years of his life  to teach them how to be more comfortable with end of life and tragic diagnosis. If you enjoyed this podcast, please go ahead and hit follow.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Dr Bruce BJ Miller

For More Information:

Difficult Conversations I Learned as an ICU Physician Podcast Episodes

The Orsini Way

The Orsini Way-Facebook

The Orsini Way-Linkedin

The Orsini Way-Instagram

The Orsini Way-Twitter

drorsini@theorsiniway.com

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources :

TED2015: “What really matters at the end of life” - BJ Miller

Mettle Health

A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death 

I"m Here with Marcus Engel - Difficult Conversations - Lessons I learned as an ICU physician Podcast Episode 102

Show Notes

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, I have the distinct honor  to have another incredible guest and that is Dr. Bruce B.J. Miller, who is a longtime hospice and palliative care medicine physician as well as an author, TEDx presenter, and keynote speaker.  He has given over one hundred talks on the topics of death, dying, palliative care, and the intersection of healthcare with design.  Led by his own experiences as a patient, Dr. Miller advocates for the roles of our senses, community, and presence in designing a better ending.  His career has been dedicated to moving healthcare towards a human-centered approach. His 2015 Ted Talk, “What really matters at the end of life", has been viewed more than eleven million times, and his work has been the subject of multiple interviews and podcasts including Oprah Winfrey, PBS, The New York Times, and the Ted Radio Hour. We will be talking about his book, A Beginner’s Guide to the End,   Dr. Miller currently sees patients and families via Telehealth through Mettle Health, a company he co-founded with the aim to provide personalized holistic consultations for any patient or caregiver who needs help with navigating the practical, emotional, and existential issues that come with serious illness and disability.
 
We start out by hearing BJ Miller’s story, from his childhood experiences, his accident, and what brought him to working in palliative care medicine. BJ tells us a beautiful story about a nurse that locked eyes with him and held his hand upon arrival at the burn unit at St. Barnabas Hospital in New Jersey,. Dr. Orsini talks about the importance of human connection between doctors and patients and how BJ's story is very similar to Marcus Engel’s story who was a previous guest on this podcast.  BJ explains why we struggle with talking about dying which starts with denial. and he shares thoughts on what we need more of in this mission of medicine to help physicians,. Dr. Orsini talks about how training is so limited with physicians which is why he’s dedicated the last ten years of his life  to teach them how to be more comfortable with end of life and tragic diagnosis. If you enjoyed this podcast, please go ahead and hit follow.

Host:

Dr. Anthony Orsini

Guest:

Dr Bruce BJ Miller

For More Information:

Difficult Conversations I Learned as an ICU Physician Podcast Episodes

The Orsini Way

The Orsini Way-Facebook

The Orsini Way-Linkedin

The Orsini Way-Instagram

The Orsini Way-Twitter

drorsini@theorsiniway.com

It’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini

Resources :

TED2015: “What really matters at the end of life” - BJ Miller

Mettle Health

A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death 

I"m Here with Marcus Engel - Difficult Conversations - Lessons I learned as an ICU physician Podcast Episode 102