Question

Palliative care and hospice care provide dignified and supportive care during chronic illness and the dying process. Palliative care focuses specifically on providing supportive care for patients during chronic illness. This could include, but is not limited to, pain and symptom management, family support, art and music therapy, etc. It is ongoing comfort care for both patient and family in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Hospice care is more specifically targeted for end-of-life care, typically during the last six months of life. Hospice care is most often delivered at home, allowing the family to care for their loved one in the home until death. There are inpatient hospice facilities; however, patients typically residing in this type of facility have very little time remaining.

The goal for both palliative or supportive care services and hospice is to provide comfort and dignity during chronic illness and death. Not all patients who are a part of a palliative care program will be a part of a hospice program. With today’s rapidly advancing medical developments, many people live long lives with chronic illness. Hence, the true-shared purpose for both palliative care and hospice is supporting the patient and family. Medical professionals have the privilege of sharing the most difficult and vulnerable times with their patients. To do this well, a medical professional must seek to understand how to provide dignity and respect to every patient, every time.

4. How can you provide dignity and respect to a patient? (150 words)

Answer 1

Medical professionals are responsible for taking wise decission in providing care to ill patients considering their situations. For example, professional expertise has to treat chronically diseased person with hospice or palliative care. It means to give attention, treatment and support to patients with life threatening conditions. Because of this efficient care programes many people survive with chronic illness.

Medical professionals can take efficient initiatives to make sure that each patient receives respect and dignity based on individuals human right. They are as follows:

1. Honesty

     Medical professionals should be honest while providing care to patients. If they commit any mistake ,they have to apologize and find solutions to correct it by disscussing with their seniors.

2. Compassion

     Provide a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere to the patients which helps them to improve their confidence.

3. Kindness

     The medical team should be kind enough to support and give time to prepare themselves before a procedure.

4. Understanding

     Undertanding plays a vital role in developing proficiency of health care system. The medical professionals should understand the limitations of patient and should be a good listener to know the problems and sufferings of patient regarding the disease.

5. Confidentiality

     We should make sure that the patient do not have any concerns in providing or sharing their case files with relatives, friends,carers or medical students.

6. Privacy

     Provide assurance to patient by maintaining dignity and respect throughout their stay in hospital. They should be given privacy during discussions, examinations and treatments.

7. Communication

     They have to maintain proper communication with the patients: involve them in discussions regarding their disease condition,taking decissions and what treatment they are undergoing . Professionals should also be responsible to clarify the doubts of patient.