Page 57 - HA Convention 2016 [Abstracts (Day 2)]

Corporate Scholarship Presentations HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2016

C3.4 Palliative Care 14:30 Room 428

Hospital Authority Corporate Scholarship Experience — Putting Person-centred Care into Practice: Calvary
Health Care Bethlehem, Victoria
Kwok CYL
Medicine and Geriatrics, Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong

Introduction

Calvary Health Care Bethlehem (CHCB) is a leading Victorian specialist palliative care service providing care for patients
with malignant disease and progressive neurological illness. A team of four palliative care nurses joined the overseas training
programme in CHCB Melbourne, Australia from 18 March 2013 to 12 April 2013.

Objectives

(1) Communication with patient and family on advance care planning.

(2) Develop insight and knowledge in the issue of dying at home.

(3) Learn the role and function of nurse specialist in palliative care.

(4) Obtain latest evidence in palliative care and end of life care.

Key Activities

During the four-week attachment, we had an overview on inpatient and ambulatory care services. The inpatient facility
provides holistic care to patients and their families with complex needs. Specialised ambulatory services provide community-
based care to patients in their home, in addition to a range of programmes through Day Centre and Outpatient Clinics. The
integration of hospital-based and community services ensure that patients and their families are well supported from one
level of care to another in a seamless way according to their preferences and needs.

Learning Outcome

Evidence shows that advance care planning (ACP) could improve end-of-life care for patient and reduce stress, anxiety
and depression in surviving relatives. In CHCB, the practice of person-centred care considers patients as the core of care,
and respect their preferences, values, needs, and autonomy in making their own choices. ACP is an ongoing process of
communication integrated into the person-centred care routine. Dying at home requires not only the patient’s choice but
also family’s support to the decision. Caregivers are involved, educated and supported by the palliative care team. Nurse
specialist plays a crucial role to manage and coordinate patients with complex needs in community palliative care service
especially supporting patients dying at home.

Conclusions Wednesday, 4 May

ACP is seen as a key component of person-centred care in palliative care. A person-centred approach encourages palliative
care patients to be more involved in decisions about their care and have a big impact on the quality of care. On the other
hand, offering care in a person-centred way can increase the sense of accomplishment among professionals and improve job
satisfaction. The development of a person-centred practice is highly recommended in palliative care service.

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