| CALMER: A talking map for COVID-related proactive planning |
| Check in |
| Take a deep breath (yourself!) |
| "How are you doing with all this?" (Take their emotional temperature.) |
| Ask about COVID |
| "What have you been thinking about COVID and your situation?" (Just listen.) |
| Lay out issues |
| "Here is something I want us to be prepared for."/"You mentioned COVID. I agree." |
| "Is there anything you want us to know if you have COVID/if your COVID gets really bad?" |
| Motivate them to choose a proxy and talk about what matters |
| "If things took a turn for the worse, what you say now can help your family/loved ones." |
| "Who is your backup person – who helps us make decisions if you can't speak? Who else?" (Having 2 backup people is best.) |
| "We're in an extraordinary situation. Given that, what matters to you? About any part of your life? About your health care?" |
| Make a recommendation – if they would be able to hear it |
| "Based on what I've heard, I'd recommend [this]. What do you think?" |
| Expect emotion |
| Watch for this – acknowledge at any point |
| "This can be hard to think about." |
| Record the discussion |
| Any documentation – even brief – will help your colleagues and your patient |
| "I'll write what you said in the chart. It's really helpful, thank you." |
