End-of-life Conversations with Adult Patients and Their Families: Evidence-based Guidelines for Occupational and Physical Therapists 4220

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Location: ROOM: Conference Room 4G >>> DIRECTIONS Fourth Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left. Turn left at the Pullman Boardroom. Room 4G is at the end of the corridor.

Presenter(s)

Olivia SJ Crozier, BHSc, PhD (c)

PhD Candidate
Western University
London, ON, Canada

Slides Slides
Timothy A. Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Professor & Associate Dean of Research
UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Saurabh Mehta, PT, PhD, GCS

Associate Professor in Physical Therapy
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
Monika M. Gross, BFA, MSME/T, M.STAT, M.AmSAT, M.ATI

Executive Director
The Poise Project
Candler, NC, United States
Mandi L. Sonnenfeld, PhD, MOT, OTR/L

Instructor of Medicine
Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
Houston, TX, United States
Neha Dewan, PhD

Assistant Professor
Western University of health sciences
Lebanon, Oregon, United States
Ryan M. Carrick, PhD, MHS, OTR/L

Assistant Professor
Augusta University
Augusta, GA, United States

Slides Slides
Erica Lo, BHSc

MPT/PhD Student
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada

End-of-life conversations are vital in palliative care but often challenging for occupational and physical therapists due to limited training and personal discomfort. The PREPARED model offers an evidence-based framework to guide these discussions with empathy, clarity, and cultural sensitivity. This symposium will provide practical strategies, case examples, and tools to help therapists navigate these conversations confidently, enhance patient satisfaction, support legacy-building, and deliver compassionate, patient centered care.

Learning Objectives:

1) Understand the importance of end-of-life conversations in improving patient satisfaction, emotional well-being, and trust.
2) Identify strategies within the PREPARED model to guide empathetic, culturally sensitive, and patient-centered discussions.
3) Explore approaches to overcome barriers and foster meaningful engagement through goal setting and legacy-building activities.