experience patient centeredness
experience patient centeredness
Respond to your colleagues and offer alternative views on the impact of patient preferences on treatment plans or outcomes, or the potential impact of patient decision aids on situations like the one shared
At least 2 references in each peer responses!
In my experience patient centeredness has always been an important aspect of healthcare. Melnyk and fineout-overholt (2018) define patient centeredness as the required integration of patient preferences and values into evidence-based decision making. With the modern technology available today, patients are more informed than ever and more capable than ever to be involved in the decision-making process. One experience that I recently encountered was a patient making decisions about end of life care. The patient was suffering from ALS, and initially elected to have life extending procedures performed. The patient stated a desire to see his daughter get married and wanted to live several more months in order to be present at the wedding. This was important to him, and to abide by the patients wishes, the patient was trached, placed on a ventilator, and received a PEG tube. After educating the family and setting up a home healthcare plan the patient was sent home. Several months later, the patient returned, and as previously indicated, wanted all care discontinued. Personally, I have been involved in multiple end of life scenarios where treatment is withdrawn, but this situation was different from most. The patient was to the point in his disease process where he had severe physical limitation, but was fully alert and able to communicate. It was a foregone conclusion that as soon as the ventilator was removed, the patient would not have the strength to take an effective breath, but the patient and family were clear they did not want to continue care given the patients quality of life. This was a difficult case to be a part of, but looking back, I believe all the correct decisions were made.
