How to Break the News in ALS/MND

Why was this program created?

Dr. Genge shares her initial experiences in delivering news to people living with ALS/MND as a young Neurology Fellow, and explains how this led to the development of multidisciplinary centres of excellence in ALS/MND and the learnings shared in this educational program.

A Caregiver's Experience Receiving the Diagnosis and A Caregiver's Perspective on How Challenging Delivering a Diagnosis Must be for Clinicians

"Know Thyself" Before the Meeting

Dr. Kavanaugh explains how this exercise can help healthcare professionals identify any personal perceptions and/or biases that they may have toward death and/or dying which could impact their delivery of news to people living with ALS/MND and their caregivers.

Mindfulness Exercise

This exercise builds on the previous “know thyself” exercise and focusses on helping healthcare professionals identify and respond to any of their own personal feelings and emotions that could affect how they communicate news to people living with ALS/MND.

Reasons for Hope

Dr. Genge emphasizes the reasons for hope in ALS/MND, including current treatments that prolong survival and functioning, novel treatments under investigation, and the “army” of researchers around the globe that are working to find a cure.

When the Emotions Become Overwhelming

Dr. Kavanaugh provides key tips to follow when emotions become overwhelming.

Clinical Pearls: How To Deliver an ALS/MND Diagnosis

Dr. O’Connell provides some of her key clinical pearls on how to best deliver an ALS/MND diagnosis.

Clinical Pearls: What to Discuss When Delivering an ALS/MND Diagnosis

Dr. O’Connell provides some of her key clinical pearls on what to discuss when delivering an ALS/MND diagnosis.

Clinical Pearls for Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs) in the “Aftermath” Period

Dr. Kavanaugh shares some important clinical pearls for AHPs in the “aftermath” period following delivery of an ALS/MND diagnosis.

A-L S-PIKES for AHPs

Dr. Kavanaugh explains how AHPs can apply and integrate the A-LS-PIKES protocol throughout the entire disease trajectory in ALS/MND to help ensure the needs of patients and caregivers are met.

Person Living with ALS/MND Sharing His Thoughts and Experience

In this impactful video, Norman MacIsaac, a person living with ALS/MND, shares his experience when first receiving his diagnosis as well as his thoughts and comments on this program. Norman was diagnosed in 2014. Since then, he has been an active advocate for people living with ALS/MND. He collaborates with ALS Quebec, ALS Canada and the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.