Kathy Bublitz


Registered Social Worker, Starship Child Health, Auckland, NZ


Kathy is a fully qualified counsellor and a registered social worker with A.N.Z.S.W.  She has worked in these areas for over 30 years.  Kathy has worked for several Non-Governmental Organisations, was a senior therapist in a residential rehabilitation centre and has also been a paediatric social worker at Starship Children's Hospital for 12 years. For the last 6 years she has been in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and a member of the Starship Trauma Team.  Kathy is also a mother, a grandmother and has a wonderful partner, all who keep her grounded in her work and home life.


Difficult Conversations, Difficult Parents or Difficult Colleagues? A Rapid Research Project for Breakfast

with Andrew Thompson, Registered Social Worker, Starship Child Health, Auckland, NZ

During this presentation we will be talking about difficult conversations in the intensive care environment.  We will briefly review a difficult conversation that provoked attention from the Pope and President Trump.  We will present two case studies to encourage discussion about strategies to manage difficult conversations with colleagues and caregivers.  We will also be using “Todaysmeet” a simple to use backchannel, so please bring a laptop, smart phone or tablet.  This is an interactive session and a rapid research project that we hope will generate debate, energy and considerable humour.  If we do a good job together you will leave the session with some tips and strategies for your next difficult conversation.