Introducing alternative therapies into palliative care is a practice that facilitates the delivery of effective and patient-centered care to the target population. According to Aldridge et al. (2016), one of the challenges associated with the nurse’s role in providing these therapies is the lack of academic background and training. Due to a stereotypical attitude towards palliative care as end-of-life support, employees of these departments do not seek to improve their skills and implement productive approaches to interaction with patients. As a result, the quality of care decreases, which affects the overall level of healthcare negatively and creates additional inconvenience for the target audience.
While introducing alternative therapies in palliative care, nursing staff can apply Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) approaches. Zeng et al. (2018) state that these practices include supportive procedures aimed to reduce patients’ burden and facilitate their stay in the hospital environment. In palliative care, nurses can integrate CAM approaches through group therapies, massage procedures, and music entertainment sessions. Nevertheless, some ethical nuances may appear, for instance, patients’ reluctance to participate in such programs for cultural, religious, or other reasons. As the key elements of a teaching plan for nurses introducing CAM into palliative care, courses in massage, breathing exercises, and psychosocial support training should be introduced. These measures can help relieve patients’ both physical and emotional stress.
When developing care plans in palliative departments, the overall role of the nurse and patient is to build productive interactions. Aldridge et al. (2016) note that in a hospital environment, creating conditions for communication between medical personnel and patients and their families is a crucial measure that allows addressing the needs of the target audience. When all stakeholders interact productively, patients’ stay in palliative departments is less stressful and depressing, and the delivery of nursing assistance programs is more effective. Therefore, establishing communication is a task that benefits both medical staff and the target audience.
References
Aldridge, M. D., Hasselaar, J., Garralda, E., van der Eerden, M., Stevenson, D., McKendrick, K., Centeno, C., & Meier, D. E. (2016). Education, implementation, and policy barriers to greater integration of palliative care: A literature review. Palliative Medicine, 30(3), 224-239. Web.
Zeng, Y. S., Wang, C., Ward, K. E., & Hume, A. L. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine in hospice and palliative care: A systematic review. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 56(5), 781-794. Web.