Journal of palliative medicine
-
One measure of quality hospice care is minimization of hospitalization. Few studies have explored reasons for hospitalization and characteristics of care received by hospice patients in the hospital. ⋯ Hospitalization of hospice patients is costly to the health care system. Most care was of low or moderate intensiveness. Quality improvements focusing on concise communication of patient goals and prevention of pain, delirium, and falls have the potential for the greatest impact on reducing hospitalizations and minimizing care that is discordant with patient goals.
-
There has recently been a call for an analysis of the way in which professionals see their role and status in the context of palliative care and the interdisciplinary team. This is particularly salient in the provision of psychosocial care. ⋯ Two major themes emerged from our research: "Lack of clear role boundaries" and "Strategies for maintenance of role boundaries," which included: "Claiming access to specialist expertise and knowledge" and "Minimizing the knowledge of other professions and professionals." It is argued that effective team functioning can be enhanced through the development of interdisciplinary team training programs and policies, resources and structures that provide support for the interdisciplinary team model.
-
To test a brochure comprising hospice patient role model stories aimed at improving attitudes and knowledge of hospice among older African Americans. ⋯ This small pre-post pilot study found that exposure to a hospice brochure containing theoretically driven, culturally parallel, role model stories was effective in improving knowledge of and attitudes toward hospice as well as intentions to enroll a family member or self in hospice care. Further study is needed to determine the impact of using this brochure within a clinical setting.