Analysis of Case Study on Multidisciplinary Healthcare for Elderly Patients

Running head: CASE STUDY
Analysis of Case Study
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CASE STUDY
Analysis of the Case Study
There is a need to identify the complex needs of elderly patients and monitor their health
patterns to watch and prevent problems that are most common among the elderly. In this case
scenario, the patient P.W is aged 77 years and suffers from gastrointestinal bleeding, in addition
to facing problems that involve hand swelling, muscle weakness and urinary incontinence. The
essay will discuss the role of multidisciplinary healthcare members who are integral to caring for
this patient, and will also advocate for the patient, while discussing the major ethical concerns.
Effective communication strategies
Use of healthcare approaches that encompass multidisciplinary team have been identified
crucial in managing the health status of elderly patients. In the case study presence of
gastrointestinal bleeding and other presenting complaints would require the patient P.W to
interact frequently with different healthcare professionals, with a particular emphasis on primary
and secondary care providers. The knowledge and skills of a range of professionals belonging to
healthcare disciplines is required to conduct her comprehensive health assessment. The team
members will be involved in determining her physical, emotional, social and functional status,
with the aim of enhancing health outcomes (Shaw et al., 2014). The team will be comprised of a
rehabilitation therapist, nurses, physicians, social workers and physiotherapists. Caring for the
elderly patient will require establishment of a successful relationship with the patient and will
have to utilise effective communication strategies and skills. Effective communication forms an
essential aspect of healing and makes patients show an increased likelihood to the treatment and
intervention. Effective communication strategies that can be employed by the patients include

2CASE STUDY
beginning with an appropriate body language. Seating in a position that is directly opposite to the
patient P.W will improve communication (Cooper et al., 2014).
Extra time must be allowed to the elderly patient due to her increased need for
information and poor communication skills. Distractions should be avoided to make the patient
feel that an appropriate willingness is being demonstrated by all healthcare professionals to listen
to her preferences and demands (Almeida & Ciosak, 2013). Maintaining eye contact should also
be employed as essential non-verbal communication skills by the multidisciplinary team. This
will establish trust and a foster an effective therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, the healthcare
professionals should speak slowly, in short sentences and use simple words to make the patient
P.W understand the benefits of medication. Demonstrating active listening skills will also help
the patient to clearly state her wishes and demands, depending on which the care plan can be
adjusted accordingly (Williams, Kemper & Hummert, 2016).
Integrated care management service
Integrated care refers to the delivery of coordinated and comprehensive seamless care to
all patients, regardless of the health abnormalities that the patients are suffering from (Martínez-
González et al., 2014). One unique need of the case is related to presence of symptoms that are a
direct manifestation of gastrointestinal bleeding. This mainly occurs due to hemorrhoids, cancer,
esophageal varices or peptic ulcers (Villanueva et al., 2013). Hence, the integrated care
management will involve use of a lavage or gastric aspiration, which will involve insertion of a
tube into the stomach, through the nose to determine presence of blood in stomach (Mennigen,
Senninger & Laukoetter, 2014). Comprehensive laboratory testing that includes hemoglobin,
hematocrit, electrolyte balance, and platelet is also crucial. Furthermore, the healthcare staff
should also conduct imaging for determining the exact location of bleeding in the gastrointestinal