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  • Essay / Respecting the Dignity of the Patient in Providing Quality Palliative Care

    Table of ContentsIntroductionTopic AnalysisConclusionIntroductionPalliative care is a term that is not unfamiliar. Mainstream media such as television, or more conventional media in the form of written language in books and newspapers, bring visibility to these two words. Palliative care involves helping people with chronic illnesses – usually at the end of life – to live their final days with dignity and improve their quality of life. It is when a group of people in the professional field work together to provide patients with a comfortable space to relax and allow them to accept their terms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayEssentially, respect for their dignity in the care process is something that must be observed and maintained. This article will explore the methods by which dignity – whether on the patient or caregiver side – is preserved throughout the process of providing patient care. It will focus on the various existing studies that link dignity and the meaning it has for patients, caregivers, relatives and for patients requiring palliative care. The next sections will provide a brief overview of the topic and existing research, followed by the relevance of the topic in Singapore, how it affects the quality of palliative care offered and finally solutions to the challenges faced. Topic AnalysisThe meaning of personality dignity is something we all feel at every stage of our lives. During the transition to adolescence, dignity is primarily upheld by our parents because they are responsible for us and we depend on them. However, once we get older, our dignity becomes something we can control ourselves, until we become older and senile. As the age of end of life approaches, there are other setbacks, such as serious illnesses, which can undermine a person's dignity and, essentially, cause pain, despair and loss. frustration among the patient and his family. Palliative care aims to help both parties survive this time and end their lives in the best way possible. Respecting their dignity includes striving to meet patients' needs and wishes. Dignity is a lifelong need that is vital to every person’s well-being, sense of worth and respect. With the loss of control over their dignity, it is imperative that hospices know how to care for a patient without making them feel like their dignity is lost. There are key aspects of palliative care and respect for dignity that need to be considered. For example, respect. This includes mutual respect between people and respect for privacy. It is how caregivers treat patients that matters in this context. Then, autonomy. This refers to the power to choose what the patient wants. Ergo, being able to be independent – ​​something that is a struggle for many people this age. Added to this is empowerment, which includes traits such as self-esteem, self-pride and modesty. The patient must be able to feel worthy and remain firm and strong despite their condition. Last but not least, communication, that of understanding information, both verbally and non-verbally, is something they struggle with. They feel the need to be understood, and rightly so. Dignity is important in the context of palliative care because it is a form of respecttowards patients and gives them a say in decision-making even as they near the end of their lives. The question of how their dignity is preserved can be answered in several ways, citing: physical needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, social needs and family needs. Each of them can be monitored by their family and other caregivers who can help them maintain their dignity at the end of life. Emotional needs: To maintain dignity, it is important to communicate with patients, listen to them and empathize with their feelings. It is also important to involve them in important decision-making so that they have a say in choosing and receiving the care they want and need. Physical Needs: This involves the control and regulation of patients' pain and other symptoms such as nausea and shortness of breath. of breath. The hospice caregiver must ensure that the patient is in the right environment to receive dignified care. Spiritual needs: For many people nearing the end of their lives, spirituality is important, whether they are religious or not. This is characterized by the fact that they want to spend time with you in order to understand their life, their identity and their vocation. · Social needs: This can promote dignity and can be achieved simply through activities such as allowing a patient to control their finances and doing activities that make them feel happy. Family needs: Caregivers are often trained to also take into account the needs of the family. This will help maintain the dignity of the family during illness and after death by providing them with social and emotional support. Over the years, younger generations rely on palliative care to care for their parents in hospices and old nursing homes. . In Singapore, even when a person is placed in palliative care, dignity is widely considered a crucial aspect. A study was conducted in Singapore to explore how dignity is demonstrated in palliative care. Through qualitative interviews with advanced cancer patients, it was determined that their experience of dignity depended on three factors: social, organizational, and spiritual. The study determined that in addition to needing support from friends and family, they also needed a good health system, social organization and support from the private sector, as well as 'be able to observe existing cultural and religious belief systems. All of the above helps maintain patients' sense of dignity throughout their palliative care stay. Many influencing factors determine the importance of dignity when providing palliative care. Two key factors that can influence how dignity is preserved at the end of life include promoting self-respect and, therefore, treating the patient with respect. These are two aspects that can be translated into the palliative care process. In most cases, palliative care focuses on prolonging life and controlling symptoms rather than healthy, holistic care. As such, it would be beneficial for the hospice or caregiver to consider the patient's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs throughout the palliative care process. A study was conducted among 20 patients admitted to coronary care units and among them, 5 were selected for purposive sampling to participate in in-depth semi-structured interviews. They used qualitative data analysis methods anddetermined that in most cases the degree of care results from the human environment and the physical environment. Therefore, the holistic care process must include the ability to meet patients' needs, both in the hospital and after discharge. These were the key themes that emerged from the study, along with the need for patients to have a sense of security and a good and effective relationship between patient and nurse. At the local level, there are already programs to help patients and their loved ones receiving palliative care. One of the programs being implemented is the Temasek Cares-Program Dignity, a pilot home-based palliative care program for patients with advanced dementia. He helped family members anticipate changes in care and provide solutions on how to relieve the patient's significant distress. For example, using therapeutic touch to calm the patient when they are agitated. Additionally, placing objects that the patient likes around them can help reassure them and reduce distress. This allowed caregivers to better care for patients. In a global context, a study conducted by Rome et. al. whose primary goal was to alleviate the suffering of patients and their families through the comprehensive assessment and treatment of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual symptoms experienced by patients. These are some factors that tend to be overlooked when caring for patients at the end of life; this is why Singapore can take into account when implementing palliative care. The main challenges faced in the provision of palliative care include the development of a specific national policy or regulatory framework, which includes resource allocation, culture building, collaborative policy development and working interdisciplinary team. . By having a national policy, it reaches out to a wide range of people in need. For example, in Singapore, government grants are available on a means-tested basis. The level of subsidy is mainly determined by the monthly household income per person. Additionally, Medisave can also be used for palliative care services. As a result of this policy, health care costs have been made much more affordable. Another challenge concerns the necessary training for workers as well as public education. In Singapore, it is only recently that people have started to understand how to deal with people at the end of their lives. Professionals are needed who understand palliative care and, more importantly, have the training to implement it. It is also an obligation for policy makers, health professionals and the family as a whole. Those involved should be informed about how they can influence the palliative care system in Singapore using existing systems or more. Another challenge that exists when ensuring that patients' dignity is respected is the pain control factor. For diseases like cancer, which can become extremely distressing and unpleasant for patients, it is important that it is also identified as a main symptom. Managing and maintaining dignity would therefore require pain relief accessible to all. With specific reference to Singapore, numerous reports indicate that the country's officials have taken steps to ensure that palliative care is more accessible to the population. Their new policy ensures that patients do not have to opt for the most expensive options and that they can afford palliative care at any time..