Attitudes Toward Hospice Care

Term Paper , 2013 , 7 Pages , Grade: B

Health - Miscellaneous

There is perhaps no more confusing mental process in life than attempting to define attitudes toward death. This process is even more complicated and impacting when it must be formulated by health practitioners who work in a hospice setting. It has been found that there exists a significant percentage (33%) of hospice nurses which found difficulty in knowing who controlled the overall responsibility of hospice patient care. Such confusion has led to an overwhelming desire by both community nurses and general practitioners for additional educational input from domiciliary services (Seamark, Thorne, Jones, Gray, & Searle, 1993, p. 57). There is little doubt that the health care professional finds themselves in a complex organizational system and must find a way to form their own outlook within that system. Nurses want to simultaneously maintain fidelity to patients and their family members, follow physician colleague orders, work in interdisciplinary family-centered teams, and yet follow their consciences when order care or treatments appear harmful to patients (Catlin et al., 2008, p. 106). The complexities of the situation in which hospice professionals find themselves in makes the defining of personal attitudes toward hospice care even more difficult.
There were an estimated 1.5 million patients who received hospice services in 2012 (NHPCO, 2013, p. 4). Therefore, a large patient population is directly effected by the outlooks which hospice clinicians take towards end of life care. Since the main focus of palliative care should be maximizing the quality of care of the hospice patient, health practitioners must adopt an attitude towards patients which maximizes the probability of the highest quality of life.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Attitudes Toward Hospice Care
• Normative Position
• Patient Characteristic Considerations
• Communication Considerations
• Opposing Viewpoints
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This text explores the importance of adopting a normative and culturally-sensitive attitude towards hospice care. It examines the ethical considerations involved in end-of-life care, emphasizing the need to respect patient autonomy and preferences. The text also highlights the impact of cultural variations on patient care and the importance of effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients.

• Normative ethics in hospice care
• Cultural sensitivity in end-of-life care
• Patient autonomy and decision-making
• Communication and patient satisfaction
• Ethical dilemmas in hospice care

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The first chapter introduces the concept of attitudes towards death and the complexities faced by hospice professionals. It highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers patient needs, family wishes, and professional standards. The second chapter delves into the concept of normative ethics, arguing that it provides a framework for making ethical decisions in hospice care. It emphasizes the importance of considering patient input and respecting their individual moral rights. The third chapter explores the significance of patient characteristics, particularly cultural background, in influencing hospice care. It discusses the need for culturally-sensitive approaches to ensure optimal health outcomes. The fourth chapter focuses on the importance of communication in hospice care. It emphasizes the role of open, ethical, and mutual communication in improving patient satisfaction and quality of life. The fifth chapter examines opposing viewpoints regarding patient autonomy and decision-making in hospice care. It highlights the importance of respecting patient wishes, even when they may conflict with professional standards or cultural norms. The conclusion reiterates the importance of a normative and culturally-sensitive approach to hospice care, emphasizing the need to prioritize patient autonomy and communication.

Schlüsselwörter

The key themes and keywords of this text include hospice care, palliative care, normative ethics, cultural sensitivity, patient autonomy, communication, end-of-life care, ethical dilemmas, and patient satisfaction. The text explores the importance of adopting a patient-centered approach that respects individual preferences and cultural variations while adhering to ethical principles and professional standards.

• College: The University of Liverpool
• Grade: B
• Author: Carol Nganga (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 7
• Catalog Number: V280536
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656739456
• ISBN (Book): 9783656739449
• Language: English
• Tags: attitudes, toward, hospice, care