Harvard Medical School and the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy have said that health systems should focus on what matter to patients, following a new national survey of terminally ill patients. To ensure that patients spend the most time at home during the hospital six weeks of their lives, medical professionals recommend the reallocation of healthcare resources for at-home care. This approach is being tested by Medicare in its Independence at Home demonstration project, with house call programs also being extended countrywide. Experts also say that clarifying priorities is vital, both in terms of what the patient wants and in making medical decisions. Home-based palliative care can address all of these key areas, and if the cost of care were paid for, family members could take on caregiving services and support the family. By building a community network for patients, healthcare providers can alleviate the issues that end-of-life patients experience and help patients stay home for longer.
Harvard Medical School and the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy have said that health systems should focus on what matter to patients, following a new national survey of terminally ill patients. To ensure that patients spend the most time at home during their last six months of their lives, medical professionals recommend the reallocation of healthcare resources for at-home care. This approach is being tested by Medicare in its Independence at Home demonstration project, with house call programs also being extended countrywide. Experts also say that clarifying priorities is vital, both in terms of what the patient wants and in making medical decisions. Home-based palliative care can address all of these key areas, and if the cost of care were paid for, family members could take on caregiving services and support the family. By building a community network for patients, healthcare providers can alleviate the issues that end-of-life patients experience and help patients stay home for longer.