Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheng PH(1), Hui WM(1), Ng KL Candy(1), Tsui PC (1), Pi SS(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Integrated Palliative Care Unit, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital
Introduction :
Palliative Care is an interdisciplinary approach to compassionate care for patients with a progressive, life-limiting condition such as cancer, heart or lung disease. The goal is to achieve comfort through pain and symptom control, improve quality of life and provide support for patients and their caregivers. It is also to help patients understand and prepare for the future course of their illness and think about the choices they are likely to face.
Promoting the autonomy and dignity of patients is an important part of providing high quality patient-centred care. Advance Care Planning (ACP) is particularly important for people who are chronically ill. It is an iterative process of discussion, decision-making and documentation about patients’ own future care plan. Health professionals can help the patients document their wishes.
Objectives :
1) To discuss and facilitate the completion of a palliative care patient’s (Mr Man) last wish and unfinished business with the use of ACP process
2) To follow and work on the wishes illustrated by Mr Man through multi-disciplinary approach
Methodology :
An Advance Care Planning was used to document Mr Man’s wishes. Repeated discussion and interviews yielded a last wish from Mr Man. He expressed the wish of meeting his only son who was 7 years old after divorcing with his wife. He did not see the son for many years. Mr Man admitted that he had done something inappropriate to the family that led to the existing relationship with the family. He hoped his son could come to see his last face before his death and take a photo with son for son’s memorial.
Result & Outcome :
The little boy was contacted through the collaboration of hospital Medical Social Worker and school Social Worker. Ex-wife also noted Mr Man’s poor prognosis and forgave his wrongdoing. She accompanied the son to visit Mr Man in hospital. A valuable photo was taken with his son. Son also visited Mr Man after school every day. A long lost smile revisited to Mr Man’s skinny face….
