Identify services for patients and families within hospice. As a professional, what aspects of the Christian worldview could be considered when working with hospice patients and their families?

Assignment Question

Respond to my classmates. At least 85 words and 1 citation each. Put the citation right below the respond. DQ1 Explain hospice care and the types of services a hospice organization provides. Identify services for patients and families within hospice. As a professional, what aspects of the Christian worldview could be considered when working with hospice patients and their families? For a review of the principles of the Christian worldview, see the GCU “Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work,” located in the topic Resources. RESPONSE 1 Hospice care can be defined as the end-of-life care performed for patients in order to improve their quality of life and to alleviate pain and suffering during that time (Herbst, 2004). The core elements of hospice and palliative care include pain and symptom management, specialized medical care which is personalized by patient, and spiritual support/care. The goal of this service is to address physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, with services like assistance with daily activities, respite care, and bereavement support for families involved (Carlson, et. al., 2007). From a Christian worldview, hospice care workers can incorporate spiritual care by respecting and acknowledging religious beliefs, offering prayer and access to religious resources. In the current landscape of healthcare, spiritual care has become increasingly prevalent, and patients along with their families expect some form of spiritual care during the patients’ time in hospice, even if at the basic level of being empathetic, showing compassion, and actively listening to the patient’s concerns and feelings. Approaching grief and loss through a Christian perspective can provide comfort to patients, with the hope of an afterlife which can be reinforced through a pastor or priest, who will generally be involved in the hospice care facility. It is important of hospice care workers to bear in mind the various culturally diverse patient populations they may work with, so sensitivity to these cultural ties is critical while they assist their patients. Reference: Carlson, M. D., Morrison, R. S., Holford, T. R., & Bradley, E. H. (2007). Hospice care: what services do patients and their families receive?. Health services research, 42(4), 1672-1688. Herbst, L. (2004). Hospice care at the end of life. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 20(4), 761-765. RESPONSE 2 Hey Professor and Classmates, Hospice care is a type of medical care that is designed to provide comfort and support to terminally ill patients and their families (What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care?, n.d.). Hospice care is focused on managing symptoms and providing emotional, spiritual, and social support to patients and their loved ones (What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care?, n.d.). Hospice organizations offer a variety of services to patients and families, including medical care, pain management, counseling, and spiritual support. They may also provide assistance with daily activities, such as bathing and dressing, and offer respite care for caregivers. Some of the specific services available to patients and their families include pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, medication management, assistance with daily activities, and counseling services. Hospice care also provides support for family members, including bereavement counseling and support groups. As a professional working with hospice patients and their families, it is important to take into account the Christian worldview and its principles of compassion, empathy, and respect for the dignity of human life (Department of Health. Victoria, Australia, 2023). This may involve providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, as well as respecting their wishes and values. For example, a Christian professional may offer prayer or religious counseling to patients and their families if that is something they desire. Reference: What are palliative care and hospice care? (n.d.-b). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hospice-and-palliative-care/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care Department of Health. Victoria, Australia. (2023, March 14). Managing personal, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs in palliative care. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/patient-care/managing-personal-emotional-cultural-and-spiritual-needs-in-palliative-care RESPONSE 3 Hospice is a service that is provided to dying patients who have been deemed to only live for 6 months or less. It addresses the many different factors that come into play when a patient is dying, such as pain and emotional support. Hospice takes a holistic approach that not only addresses the patient’s needs but the family’s needs as well. Hospice has been studied in such detail that a handbook on the process of dying is available. One of the many different things that happen upon death is the “death rattle” or the last surge of energy that a patient may experience around 24 hours prior to passing. (Julião et al., 2023) Many families, unfortunately, look at that spark of energy as a sign of home when it is indeed a sign of impending death. Services available to the families include bereavement counseling to help the family process their loss. An aspect that could be considered as professionals, pertaining to Christian Worldviews would be the offering of hope, and assuring these patients and their families that all is restored through Jesus Christ, many times we don’t understand God’s timing but it is not our place to understand, it is our duty to believe that God has a plan for us. About Hospice – Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association. (n.d.). Www.floridahospices.org. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from https://www.floridahospices.org/hospice-palliative-care/about-hospice/#:~:text=Some%20hospices%20may%20also%20provide Julião, M., Wholihan, D. J., Calaveiras, P., Costa, E., & Sousa, P. F. de. (2023). Energy surge: A deathbed phenomenon that matters. Palliative & Supportive Care, 21(2), 371–375. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951522001754 Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2022). Delivering health care in America: A systems approach (8th ed.). Jones and Bartlett. ISBN-13: 9781284224610 RESPONSE 4 Hospice is an alternative care option to traditional hospital based end-of-life care and is offered to patients who are terminal and nearing death. The goals of hospice care are to preserve a patient’s comfort and dignity and allow them to live at their home as they pass on (Kelly-Zukowski, M., 2023). The hospice team consists of practitioners from various specialties including doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual advisors, and even volunteers. Hospice treats the entire family unit as the recipient of care, not just the dying patient (Kelly-Zukowski, M., 2023). This is to assist all the family members with the process of accepting the impending death of their loved one. Hospice is designed to keep patients as comfortable as possible as they approach death, often by controlling their pain and anxiety with aggressive medication intervention. Family members are often taught to administer pain medication to their dying loved one. Hospice care in in harmony with Christian worldview. The principle of treating dying patients with loving kindness and dignity is consistent with God’s expectations for mankind. Also, hospice is not euthanasia and is not intended to hasten death. Rather, hospice patients live out their remaining days and pass on at the time of God’s choosing. The hospice patients are kept calm and comfortable in their remaining days and given spiritual counseling to assist with processing their impending transition out of this world. As Romans 12:10 states, “Be the best at showing honor to each other.” Hospice is designed to provide people with honor and dignity at the end of their lives, and this is consistent with God’s love for humanity. References Kelly-Zukowski, M., PhD. (2023). Hospice. Magill’s Medical Guide (Online Edition). Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2021). Delivering health care in America: a systems approach (8th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning DQ2 Discuss how the patient-centered medical home advances primary care. Provide a reference to support your response. RESPONSE 1 Hey Professor and Classmates, The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model is an innovative approach to providing comprehensive and coordinated primary care services to patients (ACP, 2019). It is designed to give patients a more active role in their healthcare by providing them with a designated healthcare team and a personalized care plan. The PCMH model emphasizes preventive care and early intervention, which can lead to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs over time. According to the American College of Physicians (ACP), the PCMH model promotes the delivery of “accessible, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, and patient-centered care” (ACP, 2019). In other words, the PCMH model is focused on the needs of the patient and aims to provide care that is tailored to their unique needs and preferences. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the PCMH model can help advance primary care by improving access to care, enhancing care coordination, promoting preventive care, and managing chronic conditions more effectively. Additionally, the model can also lead to reduced healthcare costs and improved patient experiences. A study published in the American Journal of Managed Care found that the PCMH model was associated with lower healthcare costs and improved quality of care for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression (Swietek et al., 2018). Another study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found that the PCMH model was associated with improved patient satisfaction and care coordination (van den Berk-Clark, C et al., 2018). Reference: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2018). Patient-centered medical home (PCMH). Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov/workingforquality/topics/pcmh.html American College of Physicians. (2019). Patient-centered medical home. Retrieved from https://www.acponline.org/practice-resources/business-resources/payment/delivery-and-payment-models/patient-centered-medical-home Care coordination. (n.d.). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. https://www.ahrq.gov/ncepcr/care/coordination.html Swietek, K. E., Domino, M. E., Beadles, C., Ellis, A. R., Farley, J. F., Grove, L. R., Jackson, C., & DuBard, C. A. (2018). Do Medical Homes Improve Quality of Care for Persons with Multiple Chronic Conditions?. Health services research, 53(6), 4667–4681. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13024 van den Berk-Clark, C., Doucette, E., Rottnek, F., Manard, W., Prada, M. A., Hughes, R., Lawrence, T., & Schneider, F. D. (2018). Do Patient-Centered Medical Homes Improve Health Behaviors, Outcomes, and Experiences of Low-Income Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Health services research, 53(3), 1777–1798. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12737 RESPONSE 2 The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a model of healthcare delivery that aims to provide comprehensive, coordinated, and patient-centered care. This approach to primary care is designed to enhance the patient experience, improve health outcomes, and reduce overall healthcare costs. There are several key principles that highlight how the patient-centered medical home advances primary care: Comprehensive Care: PCMH emphasizes the delivery of comprehensive and coordinated care. This includes addressing not only the immediate health concerns of the patient but also considering their overall well-being, preventive care, and the management of chronic conditions. This comprehensive approach is instrumental in improving overall health outcomes. Patient-Centered Approach: The term “patient-centered” in PCMH signifies a shift in focus towards the patient’s needs, preferences, and involvement in their own care. This involves shared decision-making, active communication between healthcare providers and patients, and a focus on building strong patient-provider relationships. Coordination of Care: PCMH promotes the coordination of care across different healthcare settings and providers. This ensures that patients receive seamless and integrated care, preventing fragmentation and improving the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. Care coordination is especially crucial for patients with chronic conditions who may require ongoing management. Access to Care: Patient-centered medical homes strive to enhance access to care by offering extended hours, same-day appointments, and alternative methods of communication (such as telemedicine). This accessibility is key to addressing patients’ needs promptly and preventing unnecessary emergency room visits. Quality and Safety: PCMH emphasizes the delivery of high-quality, safe, and evidence-based care. By implementing quality improvement initiatives and leveraging technology, primary care practices within the PCMH model can track and manage patient outcomes more effectively, contributing to better overall healthcare quality. Emphasis on Team-Based Care: PCMH encourages a team-based approach to healthcare. This involves collaboration among various healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other specialists, to provide comprehensive and coordinated care. This approach optimizes the use of each team member’s skills and expertise. Reference: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2022). Patient-Centered Medical Home Resource Center. Retrieved from https://pcmh.ahrq.gov/