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Overwhelming Uncertainty: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Informed Communication for Serious Illness Care.
Brianna Williamson1, Greg Merrill2, Theodore Slomoff3
1Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) enhances psychological flexibility in serious illness care. Palliative clinicians can integrate ACT principles to support patients navigating uncertainty and difficult emotions through present moment awareness and value-driven actions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Palliative Care
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Serious illness presents significant psychological challenges, including uncertainty and difficult internal experiences.
- Palliative care aims to improve quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
- Psychological flexibility is crucial for adapting to life-altering health conditions.
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