Making the Uncomfortable Comfortable: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Patients & Their Families
LIVE WEBINAR DATE AND TIME
Wednesday, February 10, 2027 4-5:30pm CT
Note: If you are unable to attend the live event, you will be automatically enrolled in the on-demand version. The on-demand version will be available six weeks after the live broadcast.
INSTRUCTORS (click on the name below to read faculty bio)
J.D. Dragna PsyD, ABPP
DESCRIPTION
Across health care settings—acute, inpatient and outpatient—difficult conversations occur regularly. Healthcare professionals are often put in positions where they must explain that a patient’s prognosis does not align with their expectations or that they may experience significant changes to their premorbid functioning. While these challenging discussions happen regularly, providers may feel under prepared. This webinar explores patient-centered and compassionate approaches to address these topics with patients and their family members in an effective manner. In doing so, these difficult conversations may allow for moments of connection, understanding and shared decision making.
LEARNER OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify common barriers to difficult health-care conversations related to prognosis, functional deficits and changes in lifestyle
- Define structured communication frameworks to guide difficult conversations
- Describe techniques to effectively respond to a patient and their family’s emotional reactions during challenging discussions.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
Participants will be present during the live webinar in its entirety and complete an attendance verification and feedback survey in the Academy Learning Portal within one month of the live air date.
AUDIENCE
Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and Speech-Language Pathologists
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Occupational Therapists: Check back soon!
Physical Therapists: This online course has been approved by the Illinois Physical Therapy Board for 1.5 Contact Hours. Approval #216-000069
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is recognized by California and the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education for 1.5 Contact Hours on 7/21/2026.
Many states accept continuing education contact hours recognized in other states, enabling professionals to use these hours to meet their licensing or certification requirements. Please consult your state regulations to see if this meets CEU requirements for your license.
Speech-Language Pathologists:
DISCLOSURES
Course Directors and Planning Committee Members:
Julie Lenkiewicz, MS, CCC-SLP Has nothing to disclose.
Melissa Kolski, PT, OCS, Dip MDT Has nothing to disclose.
Leslie Marriott, OTR/L Has nothing to disclose.
Selah Bustamante, MSN, RN, CRRN Has nothing to disclose.
Melissa Legreid, MSN, RN, CRRN, NPD-BC Has nothing to disclose.
Speakers, Moderators and Panelists:
J.D. Dragna PsyD, ABPP Has nothing to disclose.
ACADEMY POLICIES
For a complete list of Academy policies and technology requirements, click here.
