Benchmark – Professional Capstone And Practicum Reflective Journal

Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal

NRS 490

Grand Canyon University

New Practice Approaches

It is patently clear that undertaking my practicum from Vitas Hospice provided me a significant opportunity for developing new skills and garnering knowledge as pertains to the provision of care within a hospice setting. In this case, I observed that one had to have substantial knowledge as well as skills in regards to managing invalid’s symptoms and pain. Specifically, I realized that one needs to comprehend the practical measures that would work best in controlling pain in convalescents as well as the approaches that would work best in enhancing nutritional intake, mobility, and normal body functioning. Through the practicum, it was apparent that one had to have skills in assisting the invalids within the hospice more especially in the spiritual, psychological, and emotional dimensions of dying. As well, I learnt that a nurse had an obligation of making daily evaluation regarding a patient’s capability and together with the convalescent agree upon support which is required. At the same time, it was evident that that one ought to be anticipating, planning, and anticipating for future developments by deploying their own experience and technical knowledge.

Intraprofessional Collaboration

The significance of intraprofessional collaboration in the provision of hospice care was another concept that was learnt during the practicum. In this scenario, I observed that through interprofessional collaboration, the disciplinary team which comprised of the nurses, physicians, chaplains, social workers, dieticians, bereavement counselors, and pharmacists was able to associate with each other at a personal level as they shared ideas concerning the therapy of a convalescent and ways of augmenting comfort care of patients in the hospice (Paul & Peterson, 2012). As a result of intraprofessional collaboration, I noted that various members of the interdisciplinary team were at a position of working together, a fact which led to improvement of the invalid’s condition. Due to the actuality that each of the members of the interdisciplinary team shared an idea in relation to how the various needs of different invalids would be met, the most pertinent solution was easily sought. While working in this setting, I also ensured that I actively participated within the interdisciplinary team and in this case, we sought to determine the most appropriate method of managing pain among cancer patients. Through this type of interprofessional collaboration, we were able to ascertain the best methodology of managing pain in these invalids. This led to a significant enhancement of the convalescents’ outcomes and their quality of life.

Healthcare Delivery and Clinical System

The experience I had in Vitas Hospice enabled me to understand that it was mainly designed in order to abate the suffering of individuals that were affected by life-limiting diseases. Based on the interdisciplinary methodology, the hospice focused on the alleviation of psychological, physical, spiritual, and emotional affliction. At the same time, I noted that it provided support which specifically addressed the wishes and needs of the invalids. During the practicum, it was also evident that hospice care would be provided from nursing homes and the patients’ home. In the case where hospice care was offered from home, one member of the hospice staff had the obligation of visiting them regularly to examine and treat the symptoms of the patient.

Ethical Considerations in Health Care

While undertaking the practicum within Vitas Hospice, I realized that nurses encountered various ethical concerns more especially those related to end-of-life care and hospice care. The ethical issues that were evident during this exercise included the threatening of patient autonomy, insufficient communication, providing of nonbeneficial care, concerns with the management of symptoms, the deployment of opioids, concerns related to the making decisions, as well as dilemmas associated with the discontinuation of life-prolonging treatments (Scott, 2017). However, it was observed that through the deployment of resources such as standard ethics consultation, the engagement of hospice team, and consultation with other healthcare professionals would help in resolving the ethical issues.

Population Health Concerns

A critical analysis of the patients that were being attended to in the hospice settings indicated that most of the invalids that were under care included those with chronic diseases and the elderly. It was also noted that was invalids faced additional challenges or issues while dying at their homes. In particular, it was observed that convalescents that were wealthier had a lower likelihood of dying at home than patients whose levels of income was low as a result of inaccessibility to healthcare, limited knowledge regarding the resources, as well as significant laden associated with the end of life. As well, only a few individuals with low levels of incomes enrolled into hospice care.

Health Policy

A close evaluation of Vitas Hospice provides that the physicians working in this setting work hand in hand with attending physicians in a bid to determining the most pertinent pain therapy for patients that are terminally ill. While collaborating, they ensure that the convalescents obtain medications required in relieving pain as well as preventing more suffering. Apart from the clinical expertise, the setting has also provided education materials which have provided information regarding the management of pain.

The Role of Technology in Improving Health Care Outcomes

While working in Vitas, I observed that the hospice care setting deployed innovative technology in enhancing the hospice care for invalids. Vitas has developed a landmark technology that has Health Grid which aids the clinicians in exchanging important invalid-care securely as well as quickly with other healthcare providers (Bowles, Dykes, & Demiris, 2015). The utilization of AirWatch technology has on mobile phones and tablets has also aided the employees in Vitas in accessing media and information which assists the invalids and families in making decisions regarding the end-of-life. In addition, the employment of technology within this setting has significantly aided in the identification of patients that are fit for hospice.

Leadership and Economic Models

Economic stereotypes and leadership prototypes were critical facts which were analyzed during the practicum. Various leaderships skills were also developed and enhanced during this period. In particular, through the practicum, I developed skills in relation to decision-making. On the same note, communication skills were significantly improved since they were constantly needed while working with the hospice team (Forman, Jones, & Thistlethwaite, 2014). Through the development of communication capabilities, I was able to understand instructions given which were integral to the enhancement of the quality of life. Besides, collaboration and team-building skills were considerably enhanced.

Health Disparities

Health disparities were a significant concept which was learnt while working in Vitas Hospice. Specifically, it was noted that there was a considerable racial divide between the blacks and the whites. In this case, it was observed that there were more whites than blacks in the hospice and this was attributed to the inequalities and mistreatment of the African- Americans.

References

Bowles, K., Dykes, P., & Demiris, G. (2015). The Use of Health Information Technology to Improve Care and Outcomes for Older Adults. Research In Gerontological Nursing, 8(1), 5-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20121222-01

Forman, D., Jones, M., & Thistlethwaite, J. (2014). Leadership development for interprofessional

Paul, S., & Peterson, C. (2012). Interprofessional Collaboration in Occupational Therapy (2nd ed.). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.

Scott, P. (2017). Key concepts and issues in nursing ethics (2nd ed.). New York: Springer.