Consider the Conversation 2-Stories about Cure, Relief and Comfort
Gallatin Valley Circle of Compassion invites community members to attend a showing of the documentary Consider the Conversation 2-Stories about Cure, Relief and Comfort, on Tuesday, February 13 at the renovated Tribute Center of Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service 300 Highland Blvd. Doors open at 5 and the movie will be shown at 5:15. This Emmy nominated film will be followed by a discussion and a light meal will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
American medicine’s success at fighting disease and extending life has created a new problem. That is, the vast majority of patients can now expect to die in a place (a hospital or nursing home) and in a way (with increased quantity, but reduced quality, of life) that most wouldn’t choose if only asked. Talking about dying, which is as natural as birth, is now taboo. And, the reality is patients and families are suffering needlessly. It is a problem we never intended to create and one that must be solved, but how?
Produced by Michael Bernhagen and Terry Kaldhusdal, this documentary first premiered on PBS. It explores the effect of American medicine’s success on the patient/doctor relationship and sheds light on the important role communication plays in helping both patient and doctor navigate the murky waters of severe chronic disease. While in production, Michael Bernhagen and Terry Kaldhusdal interviewed physician experts from across the United States. In addition, the producers visited with residents of a Chicago nursing home and were embedded with palliative care teams at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics where they interviewed seriously ill patients from a variety of backgrounds and filmed actual patient/doctor conversations as they occurred in real time.
Three stated goals for the film: change the current American attitude from one that predominantly views end-of-life as a failed medical event to one that sees it as a normal process rich in opportunity for human development, inspire dialogue between patient and doctor, husband and wife, parent and child, minister and parishioner, and encourage medical professionals, healthcare organizations and clergy to take the lead in counseling others.
This community event is hosted by the nonprofit group Gallatin Valley Circle of Compassion as part of a series of documentary presentations on the subject of death and dying. Gallatin Valley Circle of Compassion is a volunteer group of local community members who are professionally and/or personally touched by the human experience of death and dying. Their mission: “Connecting, educating and supporting our community on matters related to death and dying”.
For more information about the documentary showing, please contact Arlene at (406) 223-4707. To learn more about the Gallatin Valley Circle of Compassion and their annual Mountains of Courage conference, “Dialogues with the Living about Death and Dying” on February 24 at Montana State University, visit www.gallatinvalleycircleofcompassion.org
