Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way Forward
Palliative care stands as an imminent and evolving facet of medicine, specifically tailored for individuals grappling with complex cancer or terminal illnesses. Its primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for both patients and their families by mitigating suffering through early identifi...
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Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Liaquat National Hospital |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/jlnh/pdf/75d19412-1a6c-48e6-b860-3c811249c75e.pdf |
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|---|---|
| author | Annum Ishtiaq |
| author_facet | Annum Ishtiaq |
| author_sort | Annum Ishtiaq |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Palliative care stands as an imminent and evolving
facet of medicine, specifically tailored for individuals
grappling with complex cancer or terminal illnesses.
Its primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for
both patients and their families by mitigating suffering
through early identification, accurate assessment, and
treatment of symptoms [1]. This specialized care adopts
a transdisciplinary team approach, addressing the
physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of
patients. This collaborative team comprises physicians,
nurses, various ancillary home-health care teams,
and chaplains [2]. The palliative care team serves as
an exemplar of health professional development and
teamwork, offering a platform to empower ancillary
team members for active participation in patient care [3].
Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings serve as pivotal
platforms where a consortium of healthcare professionals
convene to strategize and design optimal diagnostic
and therapeutic treatment pathways for patients with
intricate needs [4]. These meetings yield evidence-based
care plans developed by a diverse group of specialists,
minimizing variations in practice patterns, and
efficiently utilizing healthcare resources. The outcome
of MDT meetings is time-efficient, cost-effective, and
quality care that enhances patient satisfaction [4]. In
Palliative Care MDT serves as a meaningful platform
for physicians and allied healthcare staff to share ideas
and voice their opinions.
Navigating the care of a patient in the terminal phase or
nearing the end of life is always intricate. It necessitates
the recognition and addressing of psychosocial, spiritual,
and emotional distress alongside physical pain and agony
[1, 3]. The collective efforts of a team are commendable,
reflecting the diversity within the group and fostering
innovative ideas that best suit the needs of patients and
their families [5].
Within a Palliative MDT, group discussions encompass
a spectrum of expertise. Say for example A wound-care
nurse may evaluate decubitus ulcers and propose practical
and cost-effective interventions. Pharmacists contribute
ideas for formulating rescue medications, especially
during crises when intravenous or subcutaneous routes
are inaccessible. Nutritionists devise diet plans to counter
malignancy-related cachexia and alleviate the side effects
of opioid analgesics while meeting adequate calorie
requirements. The involvement of the home health care
team is critical, as implementing these recommendations
for home-based palliative care patients is challenging
and demands strong and effective communication. A
psychologist addresses the caregiver’s stress and the
patient’s recognition of nearing death. These diverse
contributions are indispensable in providing high-quality
care within the current healthcare delivery system in the
country. Interestingly, it is not paternalistic or physiciancentred and the palliative care physician is cognizant
and inclusive of other stakeholders, this indeed creates
a positive and productive workforce.
The collaborative efforts by the palliative team for
terminally ill patients can be a model that has the
potential to ease the strain on a fragmented and
crumbled healthcare system in a low-middle-income
country such as Pakistan. Working together as a team,
and acknowledging each other’s expertise is crucial
[6]. With the changing landscape of medicine and
advancement in healthcare, it is imminent to recognize
and acknowledge the ancillary healthcare professionals
and their contributions [6, 7]. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fa5d19ea465e4942bdf6721bdbeec048 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2959-1805 2960-2963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Liaquat National Hospital |
| spelling | doaj-art-fa5d19ea465e4942bdf6721bdbeec0482025-08-20T03:00:50ZengLiaquat National Hospital and Medical CollegeJournal of Liaquat National Hospital2959-18052960-29632024-10-0122495010.37184/jlnh.2959-1805.2.16Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way ForwardAnnum Ishtiaq0Department of Family Medicine and Palliative Care, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PakistanPalliative care stands as an imminent and evolving facet of medicine, specifically tailored for individuals grappling with complex cancer or terminal illnesses. Its primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for both patients and their families by mitigating suffering through early identification, accurate assessment, and treatment of symptoms [1]. This specialized care adopts a transdisciplinary team approach, addressing the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients. This collaborative team comprises physicians, nurses, various ancillary home-health care teams, and chaplains [2]. The palliative care team serves as an exemplar of health professional development and teamwork, offering a platform to empower ancillary team members for active participation in patient care [3]. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings serve as pivotal platforms where a consortium of healthcare professionals convene to strategize and design optimal diagnostic and therapeutic treatment pathways for patients with intricate needs [4]. These meetings yield evidence-based care plans developed by a diverse group of specialists, minimizing variations in practice patterns, and efficiently utilizing healthcare resources. The outcome of MDT meetings is time-efficient, cost-effective, and quality care that enhances patient satisfaction [4]. In Palliative Care MDT serves as a meaningful platform for physicians and allied healthcare staff to share ideas and voice their opinions. Navigating the care of a patient in the terminal phase or nearing the end of life is always intricate. It necessitates the recognition and addressing of psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional distress alongside physical pain and agony [1, 3]. The collective efforts of a team are commendable, reflecting the diversity within the group and fostering innovative ideas that best suit the needs of patients and their families [5]. Within a Palliative MDT, group discussions encompass a spectrum of expertise. Say for example A wound-care nurse may evaluate decubitus ulcers and propose practical and cost-effective interventions. Pharmacists contribute ideas for formulating rescue medications, especially during crises when intravenous or subcutaneous routes are inaccessible. Nutritionists devise diet plans to counter malignancy-related cachexia and alleviate the side effects of opioid analgesics while meeting adequate calorie requirements. The involvement of the home health care team is critical, as implementing these recommendations for home-based palliative care patients is challenging and demands strong and effective communication. A psychologist addresses the caregiver’s stress and the patient’s recognition of nearing death. These diverse contributions are indispensable in providing high-quality care within the current healthcare delivery system in the country. Interestingly, it is not paternalistic or physiciancentred and the palliative care physician is cognizant and inclusive of other stakeholders, this indeed creates a positive and productive workforce. The collaborative efforts by the palliative team for terminally ill patients can be a model that has the potential to ease the strain on a fragmented and crumbled healthcare system in a low-middle-income country such as Pakistan. Working together as a team, and acknowledging each other’s expertise is crucial [6]. With the changing landscape of medicine and advancement in healthcare, it is imminent to recognize and acknowledge the ancillary healthcare professionals and their contributions [6, 7].https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/jlnh/pdf/75d19412-1a6c-48e6-b860-3c811249c75e.pdftransdisciplinary approachpalliative caremdt meetings |
| spellingShingle | Annum Ishtiaq Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way Forward Journal of Liaquat National Hospital transdisciplinary approach palliative care mdt meetings |
| title | Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way Forward |
| title_full | Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way Forward |
| title_fullStr | Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way Forward |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way Forward |
| title_short | Transdisciplinary Approach in Palliative Care MDT Meetings – A Way Forward |
| title_sort | transdisciplinary approach in palliative care mdt meetings a way forward |
| topic | transdisciplinary approach palliative care mdt meetings |
| url | https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/jlnh/pdf/75d19412-1a6c-48e6-b860-3c811249c75e.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT annumishtiaq transdisciplinaryapproachinpalliativecaremdtmeetingsawayforward |