| Aspect |
Details |
Key References |
| Introduction |
Hospice care provides comfort, symptom management, and quality of life for individuals with terminal illnesses. |
Morrison & Meier, 2004; Hui et al., 2014 |
| Key Principles and Goals |
Focuses on compassionate care, dignity, interdisciplinary support, and family-centered care. |
Connor, 2009; Higginson & Costantini, 2008; Harding et al., 2012; NHPCO, 2022 |
| Eligibility Criteria |
Usually for patients with a prognosis of 6 months or less. |
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2022; Connor, 2009 |
| Models of Care |
Includes home hospice, inpatient facilities, and care in hospitals or long-term care settings. |
NHPCO, 2022; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2022 |
| The Hospice Team |
Comprises physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. |
Morrison & Meier, 2004; NHPCO, 2022 |
| Benefits of Hospice Care |
Improved symptom management, quality of life, patient and family satisfaction, and reduced hospital readmissions. |
Smith et al., 2014; Brumley et al., 2007; Teno et al., 2004; Connor, 2009 |
| Challenges and Considerations |
Includes timely enrollment, prognostic uncertainty, access disparities, and caregiver burden. |
Higginson & Sen-Gupta, 2000; Lunney et al., 2003; Johnson et al., 2021; Brazil et al., 2021 |
| Hospice vs. Palliative Care |
Hospice for end-of-life care when curative treatment is not pursued, unlike broader palliative care. |
Morrison & Meier, 2004; NHPCO, 2022 |
| Future Directions |
Expanding access, integrating telehealth, and addressing non-cancer diagnoses. |
NHPCO, 2022; Pantilat et al., 2023; Lunney et al., 2003 |
