Running head: PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
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Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal
Grand Canyon University
PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 2
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Running head: PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
/
Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal
Grand Canyon University
PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 2
New Practice Approaches
It is patently clear that undertaking my practicum from Vitas Hospice provided me a
significant opportunity for developing new skills and garnering knowledge as pertains to the
provision of care within a hospice setting. In this case, I observed that one had to have
substantial knowledge as well as skills in regards to managing invalid’s symptoms and pain.
Specifically, I realized that one needs to comprehend the practical measures that would work best
in controlling pain in convalescents as well as the approaches that would work best in enhancing
nutritional intake, mobility, and normal body functioning. Through the practicum, it was
apparent that one had to have skills in assisting the invalids within the hospice more especially in
the spiritual, psychological, and emotional dimensions of dying. As well, I learnt that a nurse had
an obligation of making daily evaluation regarding a patient’s capability and together with the
convalescent agree upon support which is required. At the same time, it was evident that that one
ought to be anticipating, planning, and anticipating for future developments by deploying their
own experience and technical knowledge.
Intraprofessional Collaboration
The significance of intraprofessional collaboration in the provision of hospice care was
another concept that was learnt during the practicum. In this scenario, I observed that through
interprofessional collaboration, the disciplinary team which comprised of the nurses, physicians,
chaplains, social workers, dieticians, bereavement counselors, and pharmacists was able to
associate with each other at a personal level as they shared ideas concerning the therapy of a
convalescent and ways of augmenting comfort care of patients in the hospice (Paul & Peterson,
2012). As a result of intraprofessional collaboration, I noted that various members of the
interdisciplinary team were at a position of working together, a fact which led to improvement of
PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 3
the invalid’s condition. Due to the actuality that each of the members of the interdisciplinary
team shared an idea in relation to how the various needs of different invalids would be met, the
most pertinent solution was easily sought. While working in this setting, I also ensured that I
actively participated within the interdisciplinary team and in this case, we sought to determine
the most appropriate method of managing pain among cancer patients. Through this type of
interprofessional collaboration, we were able to ascertain the best methodology of managing pain
in these invalids. This led to a significant enhancement of the convalescents’ outcomes and their
quality of life.
Healthcare Delivery and Clinical System
The experience I had in Vitas Hospice enabled me to understand that it was mainly
designed in order to abate the suffering of individuals that were affected by life-limiting diseases.
Based on the interdisciplinary methodology, the hospice focused on the alleviation of
psychological, physical, spiritual, and emotional affliction. At the same time, I noted that it
provided support which specifically addressed the wishes and needs of the invalids. During the
practicum, it was also evident that hospice care would be provided from nursing homes and the
patients’ home. In the case where hospice care was offered from home, one member of the
hospice staff had the obligation of visiting them regularly to examine and treat the symptoms of
the patient.
Ethical Considerations in Health Care
While undertaking the practicum within Vitas Hospice, I realized that nurses encountered
various ethical concerns more especially those related to end-of-life care and hospice care. The
ethical issues that were evident during this exercise included the threatening of patient autonomy,
insufficient communication, providing of nonbeneficial care, concerns with the management of
PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 4
symptoms, the deployment of opioids, concerns related to the making decisions, as well as
dilemmas associated with the discontinuation of life-prolonging treatments (Scott, 2017).
However, it was observed that through the deployment of resources such as standard ethics
consultation, the engagement of hospice team, and consultation with other healthcare
professionals would help in resolving the ethical issues.
Population Health Concerns
A critical analysis of the patients that were being attended to in the hospice settings
indicated that most of the invalids that were under care included those with chronic diseases and
the elderly. It was also noted that was invalids faced additional challenges or issues while dying
at their homes. In particular, it was observed that convalescents that were wealthier had a lower
likelihood of dying at home than patients whose levels of income was low as a result of
inaccessibility to healthcare, limited knowledge regarding the resources, as well as significant
laden associated with the end of life. As well, only a few individuals with low levels of incomes
enrolled into hospice care.
Health Policy
A close evaluation of Vitas Hospice provides that the physicians working in this setting
work hand in hand with attending physicians in a bid to determining the most pertinent pain
therapy for patients that are terminally ill. While collaborating, they ensure that the convalescents
obtain medications required in relieving pain as well as preventing more suffering. Apart from
the clinical expertise, the setting has also provided education materials which have provided
information regarding the management of pain.
PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL 5
The Role of Technology in Improving Health Care Outcomes
While working in Vitas, I observed that the hospice care setting deployed innovative
technology in enhancing the hospice care for invalids. Vitas has developed a landmark
technology that has Health Grid which aids the clinicians in exchanging important invalid-care
securely as well as quickly with other healthcare providers (Bowles, Dykes, & Demiris, 2015).
The utilization of AirWatch technology has on mobile phones and tablets has also aided the
employees in Vitas in accessing media and information which assists the invalids and families in
making decisions regarding the end-of-life. In addition, the employment of technology within
this setting has significantly aided in the identification of patients that are fit for hospice.
Leadership and Economic Models
Economic stereotypes and leadership prototypes were critical facts which were analyzed
during the practicum. Various leaderships skills were also developed and enhanced during this
period. In particular, through the practicum, I developed skills in relation to decision-making. On
the same note, communication skills were significantly improved since they were constantly
needed while working with the hospice team (Forman, Jones, & Thistlethwaite, 2014). Through
the development of communication capabilities, I was able to understand instructions given
which were integral to the enhancement of the quality of life. Besides, collaboration and team-
building skills were considerably enhanced.
Health Disparities
Health disparities were a significant concept which was learnt while working in Vitas
Hospice. Specifically, it was noted that there was a considerable racial divide between the blacks
PROFESSIONAL CAPSTONE AND PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
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