Attitudes To Palliative Care

858 Words4 Pages
Attitudes to Palliative Care Ageing and dying, the normal process of time-related change begins with birth and continues throughout life. According to report released by Palliative care Australia (2006), approximately 77,000 people each year are diagnosed with a terminal illness. In 2005, there were 130,700 death registered in Australia. Form the statistics, there is no denying that palliative care is one of the most crucial fields in the Australian health system. Palliative care Australia defines palliative care is specialized care and support provided for someone living with a terminal illness. Importantly, palliative care also involves care and support for family and caregivers. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life for patients, their families and caregivers by providing care that addresses the many needs patients, families and caregivers have: physical (including treatment of pain, nausea and other symptoms), emotional, social, cultural and spiritual. My personal practice philosophy is focused on honoring the living experience of patients and families to whom I deliver palliative care. Knowledge about end-of-life decisions and principles of care is essential to supporting patients during decision making and in end-of-life closure in ways that recognise their unique responses to illness and that support their values and goals. As an individual clinical practitioner, I respect each person’s individuality and their unique response to illness. Therefore, patients are encouraged to express their preference about how they wish to be treated for, where they wish to be cared for and where they wish to die. For example, I remember one of patients in my ward. She was a Chinese lady and no English speaking. She has given me a strong impression because I have been companied her most of medical reviews, family meeting, physiotherapy activities, as a
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