Meeting the Needs of the Dying Patient: From Curing to Caring

Course overview

Death occurs when the body completes its natural process of shutting down and the "spirit" completes its natural process or reconciling and letting go. In order for the death to be as comfortable and peaceful as possible, both of these processes need to take place within a context that is appropriate to the values, beliefs, and life style of the dying person. This course will cover patient rights, informed consent and advance directives along with interventions and pain management techniques. Suggested Audience: Healthcare Providers and Practitioners, Care Management Team, Case Managers, Care Coordinators Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: Explore patient wishes and goals. Promote discussion of cultural, spiritual/religious preferences. Respect patient rights. Discuss informed consent and advance medical directives. Identify ethical issues relevant to end-of-life care. Suggest alternatives when unable to carry out patient's wishes. Apply interventions appropriately when death is imminent. Learning Outcomes Standard: Based on The Joint Commission: Patient-centered communication standards for hospitals and other resources found within course