Date of Paper
5-2015
Type of Paper
Clinical research paper
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Ande Nesmith, Ph.D., LISW
Department/School
Social Work
Abstract
The differences in hospice care needs between United States veterans and non-veterans was explored using a systematic review research methodology that consisted of 18 articles. After a review of previous research studies, it was found that veterans tended to want their healthcare providers to be more open and to the point about their diagnosis than non-veterans did. Both non-veterans and veterans wanted to be in control of their end of life cares. Non-veterans were more likely to want their family and friends around compared to veterans who were less likely to want people around. Veterans who had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) received a lower quality of care compared to hospice patients who did not have PTSD. Patients who received a palliative care consult reported having less discomfort compared to those who did not receive a palliative care consult. Patients who received extra services such as Reiki or music therapy or caregiver support had an increase in peacefulness and a decrease in pain. With the additional caregiver support, patients were able to stay at home longer or until their death. This study shows that there is not a lot of research done around hospice care with veterans, but it is a unique group that needs to be focused on more in order to increase the quality of care they receive.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Tonia. (2015). Differences in Hospice Care Between Veterans and Non-Veterans. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/522