Reference no: EM132655302

Discussion 1: Discuss your thoughts about the article, who should pay the cost of care for preemies, and why.

Discussion 2: Should cost of care be considered in determining value of life-saving treatment for patients?

Discussion 3: Should an individual's level of function be considered in determining life-saving treatment for patients? If so, who determines what "level of functioning" should be?

Palliative care and hospice care provide dignified and supportive care during chronic illness and the dying process. Palliative care focuses specifically on providing supportive care for patients during chronic illness. This could include, but is not limited to, pain and symptom management, family support, art and music therapy, etc. It is ongoing comfort care for both patient and family in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Hospice care is more specifically targeted for end-of-life care, typically during the last six months of life. Hospice care is most often delivered at home, allowing the family to care for their loved one in the home until death. There are inpatient hospice facilities; however, patients typically residing in this type of facility have very little time remaining.

The goal for both palliative or supportive care services and hospice is to provide comfort and dignity during chronic illness and death. Not all patients who are a part of a palliative care program will be a part of a hospice program. With today's rapidly advancing medical developments, many people live long lives with chronic illness. Hence, the true-shared purpose for both palliative care and hospice is supporting the patient and family. Medical professionals have the privilege of sharing the most difficult and vulnerable times with their patients. To do this well, a medical professional must seek to understand how to provide dignity and respect to every patient, every time.

Discussion 4: How can you provide dignity and respect to a patient?

Discussion 5: What does it mean to die with dignity?