Digital Commons Network^™

African American Family Members’ Needs And Experiences During A Loved One’S End-Of-Life, Kelley Obringer

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore African American family members’ needs and experiences during their loved one’s end-of-life. In Chapter 1, a literature review was conducted to review the current state of the literature regarding African American family members’ needs and experiences during their loved one’s end-of-life. Chapter 2 includes a qualitative exploratory study of African American family members’ needs and experiences during their loved one’s end-of-life. The study sample consisted of family members of African Americans being cared for through services provided by an outpatient palliative care facility in the Southeastern United States. Family members answered five open-ended interview questions …

Michigan Physician Orders For Scope Of Treatment: Development Of A Nationally Recognized Program, Megan Owens

Doctoral Projects

Background: Advance directives are well intentioned, but fail to promote patient autonomy in emergent situations.

Objective: To develop a sustainable portable medical order program consistent with national standards through an evidence-based toolkit.

Methods: A literature review and policy analysis were conducted to develop toolkit. Interviews were conducted with content experts to validate toolkit.

Results: The final toolkit consisted of five components: educational materials for healthcare providers, a policy brief, strategies for fund development, strategies for quality monitoring, and a cost savings exemplar.

Conclusions: An evidence-based toolkit tailored to state-specific barriers is critical to development of a portable medical order program.

“Comfort, Comfort My People”: A Qualitative Study Examining Dying Persons’ And Their Caregivers’ Experience Of Spiritual Care As An Aid To Having A Good Death In Grey And Bruce Counties, Ontario, Dwight Biggs

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Dying persons and their caregivers encounter several needs as part of the dying journey. Spiritual care, when offered effectively, can help address many of those needs. When people’s needs are fulfilled, their suffering is lessened and there is an increased possibility of them experiencing a good death. However, when spiritual care is not offered effectively, dying persons and their caregivers often continue to face unalleviated suffering which limits their ability to experience a good death. This research project explores how dying persons and their caregivers experience spiritual care in their homes as an aid to dying well and having a …