NURS3017: Health Variations 5: Palliative and End of Life Care

Posted: May 5th, 2020

NURS3017: Health Variations 5: Palliative and End of Life Care – Case analysis—Palliative care case study

Prompt 1: Examine the role of the multidisciplinary team who provide palliative care for Mrs Tran whilst she is an inpatient (500 words).

A multidisciplinary team approach is crucial in providing comprehensive palliative care for patients like Mrs Tran. The team typically consists of healthcare professionals from various disciplines, each offering specialized expertise to address the patient’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs (Ferrell et al., 2018). The primary goal is to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.

The palliative care physician plays a pivotal role in managing Mrs Tran’s pain and other physical symptoms associated with her condition. They will work closely with the oncologist to develop an appropriate pain management plan, which may involve the use of opioid analgesics, adjuvant medications, or interventional procedures (Blinderman & Billings, 2015). The physician will also monitor and address any potential side effects or complications arising from the treatment.

Palliative care nurses are essential in ensuring Mrs Tran’s comfort and providing compassionate care. They will assess her pain levels regularly, administer medications as prescribed, and educate her and her family on pain management strategies. Additionally, nurses will assist with daily activities, such as bathing and dressing, and provide emotional support during this challenging time (Fawole et al., 2020).

A social worker can be instrumental in assessing Mrs Tran’s psychosocial needs and providing counseling services to help her and her family cope with the emotional, financial, and practical challenges associated with her condition. They can also connect the family with community resources, such as support groups or respite care services (Bakitas et al., 2015).

The involvement of a palliative care chaplain or spiritual care provider is essential to address Mrs Tran’s spiritual and existential concerns. They can offer guidance, support, and rituals that align with her beliefs and values, providing a sense of meaning and purpose during this difficult time (Puchalski et al., 2019).

A dietitian can help manage any nutritional issues or concerns Mrs Tran may have, such as loss of appetite or difficulty swallowing, by developing an appropriate dietary plan to ensure she receives adequate nutrition (Prevost et al., 2018).

Physical and occupational therapists can work with Mrs Tran to improve her functional abilities, manage her pain, and address any mobility or safety concerns she may have, both during her inpatient stay and in preparation for her return home (Tuca et al., 2019).

Prompt 2: Evaluate two strategies to support families and carers who are providing end of life care in the community (500 words).

Supporting families and caregivers who provide end-of-life care in the community is crucial to ensure the well-being of both the patient and their loved ones. Two effective strategies that can be implemented are respite care services and psychosocial interventions.

Respite care services provide temporary relief for primary caregivers, allowing them to take a break from the demanding tasks of caregiving. This can help prevent caregiver burnout, a common issue that can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, negatively impacting the quality of care provided (Sutcliffe et al., 2021). Respite care can be offered in various settings, such as in-home care, adult day care centers, or residential care facilities.

In-home respite care involves a trained professional, such as a nurse or personal care assistant, temporarily assuming caregiving responsibilities in the patient’s home. This allows the primary caregiver to attend to personal matters, run errands, or simply take a break from their duties. Adult day care centers offer a safe and supportive environment for patients to receive care and engage in activities, while their caregivers have time for themselves (Vandepitte et al., 2019).

Residential respite care involves the patient staying in a care facility for a short period, typically ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks. This option can be particularly beneficial for caregivers who require a longer break or need to attend to personal matters that require extended time away from caregiving responsibilities (Keefe et al., 2019).

In addition to respite care services, psychosocial interventions can be instrumental in supporting families and caregivers. These interventions focus on addressing the emotional, psychological, and social needs of individuals involved in end-of-life care (Hudson et al., 2022).

One effective approach is the provision of counseling and support groups. Individual counseling sessions can help caregivers cope with the emotional challenges of caring for a loved one nearing the end of life, such as grief, anxiety, and stress. Support groups, on the other hand, provide a safe space for caregivers to share their experiences, learn from others in similar situations, and develop a sense of community (Applebaum & Breitbart, 2013).

Another valuable intervention is education and skills training. Caregivers often feel overwhelmed and unprepared to handle the practical aspects of caregiving, such as medication management, wound care, or assisting with activities of daily living. Providing educational resources and hands-on training can equip caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to confidently carry out their caregiving duties (Ferrell et al., 2018).

Through implementing respite care services and psychosocial interventions, healthcare providers can effectively support families and caregivers, reducing caregiver burden and promoting their overall well-being while enabling them to provide quality care for their loved ones in the community.

Prompt 3: Consider ways the multidisciplinary team provide coordinated, integrated palliative care for Mrs Tran in her home (500 words).

Ensuring coordinated and integrated palliative care for Mrs Tran in her home environment is essential to maintain her quality of life and meet her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The multidisciplinary team plays a crucial role in facilitating this process through effective communication, collaboration, and careful coordination of services.

One key aspect of coordinated care is effective communication among the various healthcare professionals involved in Mrs Tran’s care. Regular team meetings or case conferences can facilitate the exchange of information, allowing each member to share updates on Mrs Tran’s condition, discuss any concerns or challenges, and develop a cohesive care plan (Ferrell et al., 2018). Additionally, the team should establish clear lines of communication with Mrs Tran and her family, ensuring they are informed and involved in the decision-making process.

The multidisciplinary team should collaborate closely to develop a comprehensive care plan that addresses Mrs Tran’s unique needs and preferences. This plan should outline specific goals, strategies, and interventions to be implemented by each team member, ensuring a coordinated approach to her care (Blinderman & Billings, 2015).

The palliative care physician and nurse will play a pivotal role in managing Mrs Tran’s pain and other physical symptoms, ensuring she remains comfortable in her home environment. They may work with the pharmacist to develop an appropriate medication regimen and provide education to Mrs Tran and her family on proper administration and potential side effects.

The social worker can assist in coordinating community resources and support services, such as home health aides, meal delivery services, or transportation assistance, to help alleviate the practical burdens on Mrs Tran and her family (Bakitas et al., 2015). Additionally, they can provide counseling and emotional support to help them cope with the challenges of end-of-life care.

The spiritual care provider can offer guidance and support to address Mrs Tran’s spiritual and existential needs, ensuring her beliefs and values are respected and integrated into her care plan (Puchalski et al., 2019).

Physical and occupational therapists can work with Mrs Tran to develop strategies and adaptations that promote safety, mobility, and independence in her home environment. This may involve recommending equipment or home modifications to accommodate her changing needs (Tuca et al., 2019).

Regular communication and collaboration among the multidisciplinary team are essential to ensure seamless coordination of services and continuity of care as Mrs Tran’s needs evolve. Periodic reassessments and adjustments to the care plan should be made to reflect any changes in her condition or preferences (Ferrell et al., 2018).

By working together in a coordinated and integrated manner, the multidisciplinary team can provide comprehensive palliative care that respects Mrs Tran’s wishes, addresses her unique needs, and supports her and her family throughout this challenging time.
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NURS3017: Health Variations 5: Palliative and End of Life Care – Case analysis—Palliative care case study

Assignment Task

Assignment : Case analysis—Palliative care case study

For this assignment, you will produce a 1500 word written response to three short answer prompts. The prompts are based on a case study and highlight common considerations in palliative care. Each short answer response should refer explicitly to the case study. Your responses should be supported by credible policies, peer-reviewed academic research and/or evidenced-based journal articles.

This assignment is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of person-centred palliative care, including:

the role of multidisciplinary teams in the provision of care
the use of nursing strategies to support palliative people, families, and carers in the provision of care
ways of providing coordinated, integrated palliative care that reflects a palliative person’s wishes.

Case study: Patient and family integration

Individuals and families facing life-limiting illness require holistic and patient-centred care. This is best achieved through the collaboration of health care teams to provide palliative care.

Palliative care encompasses the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural domains of patients and their caregivers.

Mrs Emma Tran, a 37-year-old female has been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The metastases have spread to her spine and pelvis. Mrs Tran presented to the hospital outpatients pain service for severe pain to her back. She was admitted for analgesia and control of nausea and vomiting. The progression of the disease was such that treatment was no longer an option, and so symptom relief was the focus of care.

Mrs Tran‘s husband spent much of the day caring for her and their 10-year-old son. Along with physical pain it was evident Mrs Tran worried about the wellbeing of her husband and their son.

Mrs Tran plans to return home when her pain is controlled.

Short answer prompts

With the case study in mind, respond to each of the following short answer prompts. Your responses should reflect your understanding of the case study and knowledge of comprehensive, person-centred palliative care.

Prompt 1: Examine the role of the multidisciplinary team who provide palliative care for Mrs Tran whilst she is an inpatient (500 words).

Prompt 2: Evaluate two strategies to support families and carers who are providing end of life care in the community (500 words).

Prompt 3: Consider ways the multidisciplinary team provide coordinated, integrated palliative care for Mrs Tran in her home (500 words).

Each short answer response should be 500 words in length and refer explicitly to the case study.

Need first-class papers? Get Fast Essay Writers US & urgent essay writing service Ca – Note: You are required to write in an academic style and answer each question separately, not as a single essay.

Research and evidence

You need to include references in this assignment to:

support your evaluation of the case study
provide evidence for your discussion of the short answer prompts.

The references that you use must be credible policies, peer-reviewed academic research and/or evidenced-based journal articles. You should cite your references in-text and list them at the end of your assignment using the APA7 referencing style.

This NURS3017-Medical Science Assignment

Prompt 1: Examine the role of the multidisciplinary team who provide palliative care for Mrs Tran whilst she is an inpatient (500 words).

The multidisciplinary team (MDT) plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive and person-centred palliative care to Mrs Tran during her hospital stay. The MDT is composed of various healthcare professionals with different specializations, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and spiritual care providers. The MDT works collaboratively to address Mrs Tran’s physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural needs, ensuring that she receives high-quality care.

The doctors on the MDT are responsible for diagnosing Mrs Tran’s condition, managing her symptoms, and prescribing appropriate medications to control her pain and other symptoms. The nurses on the MDT work closely with Mrs Tran, monitoring her symptoms, providing emotional support, and administering medications as prescribed by the doctors. The physiotherapists and occupational therapists work with Mrs Tran to help her maintain her mobility, independence, and quality of life. They also provide education on pain management techniques and ways to prevent falls and injuries.

The social workers on the MDT work with Mrs Tran and her family to identify and address any social, emotional, or financial concerns that may arise during her illness. They also help Mrs Tran and her family navigate the healthcare system and access community resources that may be helpful to them. The spiritual care provider on the MDT provides support to Mrs Tran and her family by addressing any spiritual or religious needs that they may have.

The MDT also works closely with Mrs Tran’s family, ensuring that they are informed about her condition, involved in decision-making, and supported in their role as caregivers. The MDT provides education to Mrs Tran’s husband on how to provide physical care for his wife and manage her symptoms at home. They also provide him with emotional support and referrals to community resources such as respite care and support groups.

Overall, the MDT plays a critical role in ensuring that Mrs Tran receives comprehensive and person-centred care during her hospital stay. The MDT works collaboratively to address her physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural needs, while also providing support to her family.

References:
Australian Government Department of Health. (2018). National Palliative Care Standards. Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-palliative-care-standards
Palliative Care Australia. (2018). Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care for all Australians. Retrieved from https://palliativecare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2018/06/PCStandards2018_Final.pdf

Prompt 2: Evaluate two strategies to support families and carers who are providing end of life care in the community (500 words).

Providing end of life care in the community can be challenging for families and carers. It is important to provide them with support to ensure that they are able to provide high-quality care while also maintaining their own wellbeing. Two strategies to support families and carers who are providing end of life care in the community are respite care and bereavement support.

Respite care is a strategy that provides temporary relief to family and carers from their caregiving responsibilities. It can be provided in various forms, including in-home respite, day programs, and residential respite. Respite care provides an opportunity for family and carers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities, allowing them to rest and recharge. Respite care can also help to prevent burnout and reduce the risk of carer stress and depression.

Bereavement support is a strategy that provides emotional and practical support to families and carers following the death of a loved one. It can include grief
Prompt 2: Evaluate two strategies to support families and carers who are providing end of life care in the community (500 words).

Families and carers providing end-of-life care in the community often face various challenges, such as managing complex symptoms, providing physical care, and dealing with emotional stress. To support families and carers in providing end-of-life care in the community, two strategies that can be implemented are providing respite care and offering psychosocial support.

Respite care is a strategy that provides temporary relief to family members or carers who are providing care to someone with a life-limiting illness. Respite care can be provided in different settings, including the home, hospice, or residential care facilities. Respite care can be offered in various forms, such as in-home respite care, day centre respite, or overnight respite care. Respite care provides an opportunity for the primary caregiver to take a break, attend to their own needs, and engage in self-care activities. It also enables them to maintain their own social connections and participate in activities that they enjoy. Respite care can be especially valuable for families and carers who have limited support networks or who may experience burnout.

Psychosocial support is another strategy that can help families and carers provide end-of-life care in the community. Psychosocial support is a type of support that focuses on the emotional, social, and psychological well-being of the individual and their family. This support can be provided by a range of professionals, including social workers, psychologists, and counsellors. Psychosocial support can help families and carers navigate the complex emotional challenges that arise during end-of-life care, such as grief, loss, and bereavement. It can also help them develop coping strategies and skills to manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Psychosocial support can be provided in various forms, such as individual counselling, support groups, or educational programs.

Both respite care and psychosocial support are essential strategies to support families and carers who are providing end-of-life care in the community. These strategies not only support the well-being of the family and carers but also promote better outcomes for the person receiving care. By providing respite care, the primary caregiver can have time to rest and recharge, allowing them to provide better care to the patient. Psychosocial support can help families and carers to cope with the emotional and psychological stress associated with end-of-life care, promoting their resilience and well-being.

References:
Australian Government Department of Health. (2018). National Palliative Care Standards. Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-palliative-care-standards
Hospice UK. (2019). Respite care. Retrieved from https://www.hospiceuk.org/what-we-offer/clinical-and-care-support/respite-care
Palliative Care Australia. (2018). Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care for all Australians. Retrieved from https://palliativecare.org.au/standards/