In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, UT’s College of Nursing will co-host a screening of Defining Hope at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, at Regal Riviera Stadium 8 in downtown Knoxville.
“The film highlights the stories of eight people with life-threatening illnesses and the nurses who guide them as they make critical choices as they face death, embrace hope, and reflect on what makes a life worth living,” said Carole Myers, associate professor of nursing. “The stories are both individual and universal. The film is relevant to all people and the nurses and others who care for them.”
Following the film, there will be a discussion led by Sandra Mixer, UT associate professor of nursing and end-of-life care expert, and Annette Mendola, assistant professor of nursing and chief of the division of clinical ethics at the UT Medical Center.
The film follows patients as they make choices about how they want to live, how much medical technology they can accept, what they hope for, and how that hope evolves when life is threatened.
Hospice care provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Palliative care brings the same interdisciplinary team care as hospice to people earlier in the course of a serious illness and can be provided along with other treatments that are intended to cure.
“The film is optimistic and reminds us what ‘quality of life’ really means,” said Myers.
Health professionals and community members are encouraged to attend the screening. Nurses will receive 1.25 free contact hours for watching the film and completing an evaluation. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and are available at the door.
—
CONTACT:
Carole Myers (865-974-7626, cmyers9@utk.edu)
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)