The Physician’s Vital Role in Hospice and Palliative Care

17 May The Physician’s Vital Role in Hospice and Palliative Care

Understand the essential role of the physician in hospice and palliative care, focusing on their expertise in symptom management, medication oversight, and leading the medical aspects of patient care.

When someone is receiving hospice or palliative care, a team of dedicated professionals works together to provide comprehensive support. While nurses, social workers, and other specialists play crucial roles, the physician remains a vital member of this interdisciplinary team, bringing essential medical expertise to the forefront of comfort-focused care.

Their involvement ensures that the patient’s medical needs are expertly addressed, contributing significantly to their comfort and overall quality of life.

More Than Just Diagnosis:

In hospice and palliative care, the physician’s role extends beyond traditional diagnosis and treatment aimed at curing a disease. Their focus shifts to:

• Expert Symptom Management: Physicians are key in assessing and managing complex and challenging symptoms such as pain that is difficult to control, severe shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and other distressing physical issues. They have the knowledge to prescribe and adjust medications to optimise comfort while minimising side effects.
• Understanding Disease Progression: With their medical background, physicians can anticipate potential changes in the patient’s condition and proactively address symptoms before they become severe. This foresight is crucial in maintaining comfort and preventing crises.
• Medication Management: Physicians carefully review and manage all medications the patient is taking, ensuring they are necessary, effective, and not interacting negatively. They focus on using medications to promote comfort and alleviate suffering.
• Collaboration with the Primary Physician: The hospice or palliative care physician works in close collaboration with the patient’s primary care doctor or specialists. This ensures a smooth transition of care and that the palliative or hospice plan aligns with the patient’s overall medical history and needs.
• Leading the Interdisciplinary Team: While all team members contribute their expertise, the physician often plays a leadership role in the medical aspects of the patient’s care plan, guiding the team’s approach to symptom management and medical decision-making.
• Prognostication and Goals of Care Discussions: Physicians are instrumental in having open and honest conversations with patients and families about the patient’s prognosis and helping to clarify goals of care. Their medical expertise provides a realistic foundation for these important discussions.
• Authorizing the Plan of Care: The physician is responsible for medically certifying the patient’s eligibility for hospice care and for authorising the hospice plan of care, ensuring it is medically appropriate.

The Physician in Palliative Care:

In palliative care, physicians work alongside the patient’s primary medical team. They provide expert consultation on symptom management and can help navigate complex medical information and treatment options in the context of the patient’s goals and values. Their involvement ensures that comfort and quality of life are prioritised from the time of diagnosis of a serious illness.

The Physician in Hospice Care:

In hospice care, the hospice physician takes a more central role in the patient’s medical care related to the terminal illness. They make home visits (or visits in the patient’s care setting), manage medications for symptom control, and are available to the hospice team for consultation and support.

The physician’s medical knowledge and experience are invaluable in ensuring that patients in hospice and palliative care receive the highest quality of comfort-focused medical attention, allowing them to live as well as possible. Reach out to us at https://angelwingshospice.org/contact-us/