Reflection on Palliative Care: Integrating Empathy and Holistic Care

This reflective essay details a paramedic's experience and growth after completing a palliative care module. The paramedic discusses managing a metastatic breast cancer patient at home, emphasizing pain relief, ventilation, and addressing social and cultural needs. The module enhanced not only professional knowledge and skills but also fostered personal growth, shifting the paramedic's perspective to better understand the emotional and financial challenges faced by families of dying patients. The reflection highlights the importance of empathy, effective communication with patients and families, and the integration of psychological and spiritual aspects of care. The paramedic concludes that the module provided a holistic understanding of palliative care, improving their ability to address the needs of both patients and their families effectively.

Assessment 2: Reflection
The ambulance has been called by Mrs D's family as her condition started deteriorating suddenly
and I as a paramedic is supposed to manage her condition. Mrs D is having metastatic breast
cancer and is presently being taken care by palliative care team at her home. As per the palliative
care principles, the patient must be provided relief from distressing symptoms and the family
must also be supported well. Thus after assuring the family members, I would immediately
increase her analgesic (morphine) dose to relieve the pain and would maintain her ventilation. I
would take appropriate medical actions based on her current situation and would also address her
social and cultural needs to make her comfortable.
This module has greatly helped me in enhancing my knowledge and skills but along with
upgradation of my professional knowledge, I have also observed changes in my personal
attitude. I have always seen things from a nurse’s perspective and have a habit of beating my
own performance every time. I would make always make efforts to deliver best services and
achieve better outcomes for my client. But this module gave me a new perspective of looking
things from a family member of dying patient's view. I learnt about the difficult emotional and
financial situation faced by them and the grief and bereavement they would be suffering from.
Thus, I became little more sensitive and also understood the fact that dying is a natural normal
process. There is not much we can do in few situations.
By completing this module, I have realized the significance of communication with client and
family members. I learnt how few words of empathy and assurance with the dying patient and
the family members can exert a major impact on their emotional and mental state and thus, have
decided that I would always make time and effort to communicate well and would ensure their
active involvement in all decisions.
Thus, completing this palliative care module was a great learning opportunity for me where not
only my professional knowledge and skills have enhanced but I have noticed few positive
personal changes. I learned what exactly is palliative care and about the basic principles of care. I
gathered knowledge on the significance of relieving distressing symptoms of dying patient and
improving his quality of life. Further, it improved my skills on the way psychological and
spiritual aspects of care must be integrated and a support system must be provided to the client.

So, I have learned about the holistic needs of these patients and their family and the way to
address these needs effectively.