Peer Response- Nurse Practitioner’s Role and Responsibility in Advanced Directives (ADs)
Hello (student name)
This is a great post. Your elaboration on the NP’s role in the Advanced Directives (ADs) gives insight into the different aspects of making end-of-life care decisions. Indeed, NPs can surely act as necessary bridges in making sure that patient’s wishes are legally documented and fulfilled accordingly, a task which is assigned to them according to a varying degree of regulations on the participation of NPs in the signing and witnessing of ADs across different states. This shows that it is important for NPs to be aware of local laws so that they are able to perform these functions adequately and well.
In the scenario presented, your approach depicts empathy and patient-centred care. Understanding the patient’s needs, preferences, and values is very significant. Hence, you proposed open communication and education about the options available (Kwame & Petrucka, 2021). This person-oriented approach is critical in ensuring that the care given fits with the patient’s goals, ultimately increasing his/her quality of life during this difficult stage of his/her illness.
Importantly, your suggestions on how to improve access to palliative and hospice care through community outreach and telehealth are both practical and progressive (Allen Watts et al., 2021). The community educational programs will be held in places such as information sessions, workshops, and health fairs in order to increase awareness and clear the mindset that these services are not needed. Such a proactive approach not only allows patients to be aware enough to make informed choices about their care but also encourages them to find similar resources when required.
Additionally, your suggestion to leverage telehealth services to overcome barriers to access, particularly in rural or underserved areas, demonstrates a keen understanding of the evolving healthcare landscape (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Telehealth not only provides patients with greater access to medical attention from the comfort of their homes but also fosters collaboration among healthcare providers, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of patient care.
In brief, your observations rightly highlight the importance of NPs with respect to counselling for end-of-life decisions, from the legal aspects of ADs to a great support system at such difficult times. It is evident from your approach of recommending wide-scale improvements in palliative care and hospice care that you have a strong desire to see that no one is left behind when it comes to the best care needed at the most difficult times. Great job!!
References
Allen Watts, K., Malone, E., Dionne‐Odom, J. N., McCammon, S., Currie, E., Hicks, J., Tucker, R. O., Wallace, E., Elk, R., & Bakitas, M. (2021). Can you hear me now?: Improving palliative care access through telehealth. Research in Nursing & Health, 44(1), 226–237. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22105
Gajarawala, S., & Pelkowski, J. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Kwame, A., & Petrucka, P. M. (2021). A literature-based Study of patient-centred Care and Communication in nurse-patient interactions: Barriers, facilitators, and the Way Forward. BMC Nursing, 20(158), 1–10. BMC Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00684-2
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Nurse Practitioner’s Role and Responsibility in Advanced Directives (ADs)
The Nurse Practitioner’s role and responsibility in creating and signing advanced directives (ADs) vary greatly based on the State in which they practice. Depending on the case, advanced directives include living wills and durable power of attorney for healthcare, which permit people to leave their instructions for the type of treatment they want to receive and designate their healthcare proxy if they become incapable of making decisions. NPs have a pivotal role in this process by imparting information to the patients, answering their questions, and clarifying the possible consequences of the treatment option.
Peer Response- Nurse Practitioner’s Role and Responsibility in Advanced Directives (ADs)
NPs can aid patients and guide them in documenting ADs in many states, but their power to observe or sign the documents might jeopardize such dispensation in others. For example, some states permit it themselves (Wheeler et al., 2022).NPs are required to sign and witness ADs, while other states require a physician’s signature or signature. NPs’ functions and authorities, including taking responsibility for the ADs’ will as the scope of their responsibilities grows, must remain current with state laws and regulations. Since NPs have a reputation as reliable and trusted healthcare providers, they can guide patients through difficult decisions. They should ensure the patient’s wishes are properly documented, maintained, and honoured.
Client Referral to Hospice or Palliative Care
Referring a patient to a hospice or palliative care. The patient I encountered was an elderly heart failure patient in an advanced stage, usually admitted to the hospital due to an exacerbation of their illness. One of the client’s complaints was that he had been subjected to such symptoms as fatigue and shortness of breath, and he felt enormous difficulties with his routine life activities. The condition causes their life quality to be severely affected, and some of them worry about overloading their own family.
As an NP, I will begin communicating with the patient by discovering his knowledge of the disease/treatment options as the first task. Through treatment planning, medical professionals must show empathy and compassion to support patients with their psychological and physical challenges. By illuminating the advantages of hospice and palliative care, like symptom management, emotional relief, and quality life improvement, I can enable the attendees to appraise all the aspects. I would focus on the fact that these services are about providing care and helping patients extend their lives with an individual approach based on their goals and values.
Recommendations for Improving Palliative and Hospice Care Access
Community Outreach and Education
Access to palliative and hospice care can be enhanced by offering education and raising awareness in the community. In the same way, many people, especially people in poor and unserved communities, may not know about these services and the misconceptions about them. Hosting information sessions, workshops, and community health fairs can be a great strategy to educate people about the advantages of palliative and hospice care. (Salikhanov, et al., 2023). With higher awareness and knowledge of the availability of these services, more people will come forward to seek them when needed.
Telehealth Services
Increasing telehealth services for palliative care and hospice can facilitate improved access to services in rural and remote areas and those with poor mobility and transportation. A telehealth consultation provides patients with an opportunity for medical attention from the home setting, removing obstacles to health access and assuring independent care (Salikhanov et al., 2023). The adoption of telehealth is even essential since it also stimulates communication and collaboration among healthcare providers, and therefore, the quality of patient care is improved.