Health Compass Newsletter

Amanda Shields, ANP-C, is a palliative care nurse practitioner at Lower Columbia Hospice & Palliative Care in Astoria.

Q: What does person-centered care mean to you?

"All my patients are individuals. They come to me with many life experiences that have a huge impact on their health. My role is to listen to them and try to understand who they are as a person and what is most important to them in respect to their health care. I respect their choices while being an advocate and guide to help them achieve what is most important to them in their health and life."

Q: Why have you chosen to work in palliative care?

"Palliative care is an area in the medical field where I can truly practice holistic medicine and help my patients live the best life they can at a time in their life where they are likely facing many challenges and life can be overwhelming. I feel I have the ability to truly help my patients live a better life. Even though I may not be able to 'cure their disease,' I feel I can always find a way to have some positive impact on their life, comfort and well-being. That brings me great joy and professional satisfaction."

Q: What do you do to connect with your patients?

"I offer a warm smile, being truly present for my patients and promoting a sense that, for the time I am with them, I am truly with them. They are my focus, and what they say to me truly matters.

"I love to know about who my patients are outside of the medical diagnoses, so within the boundaries of professionalism, I like to ask about their family, hobbies, work and what brings them joy, and I will also share tidbits about my own life that I feel may be appropriate."

Categories: CMH providers