PUBH7015: Palliative Care Strategy for Maori Cancer Patient

This assignment presents a palliative care strategy for a 42-year-old Maori woman diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. The strategy centers around the Te Whare Tapa Wha model, emphasizing holistic care to maximize the patient's quality of life. The concept map highlights key issues like pain, fatigue, anxiety, and reduced independence. A multidisciplinary team, including the GP, oncologist, nurses, radiologist, Maori health providers, psychotherapist, and occupational therapist, is proposed to address the patient's physical, mental, and spiritual needs. The rationale for each team member's inclusion is provided, highlighting the importance of cultural safety, mental wellness, and family-centered practice. The assignment also mentions the involvement of organizations like Hospice and the Breast Cancer Foundation. The overall care plan prioritizes the patient's needs, aiming for positive health outcomes through a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach.

PALLIATIVE CARE
STRATEGY FOR THE
PATIENT
-Submitted by :

Concept Map:
Anxiet
y
Patient
Kere 42y/0
diagnosed
with stage 4
breast
cancer
Pain
Medicat
ion
Referral
to
Physioth
erapist
Referral
to OT
Referral
to
anaesthe
sia pain
specialist
Reduced
independ
ence
Referral
to
psychoth
erapist
Include
motivatio
nal
leader
Conduct
motivatio
nal
interview
Impart
family
counselli
ng

Key issues identified in the concept
map: Pain due to
chemo
sessions and
left side
mastectomy
has led to
increased
fatigue and
exhaustion
Increased anxiety
due to feeling of
loneliness and
feeling
burdensome for
the family.
Increased
fatigue and
exhaustion and
inability to cope
with activities
of daily living
has led to her
poor quality of
life.
Kere, 42 y/o
Maori
woman
diagnosed
with stage
4 breast
cancer

Health Model:
• The healthcare model that would be
followed for the planning and
implementation of Palliative care for the
patient would be based on the Te Whare
Tapa Wha model (Hospice.org.nz, 2019).
• The Maori health care model focuses on
imparting holistic care so as to acquire
positive outcome.

Palliative care team involved in
the care process:
The palliative team of care professions
engaged in the care process of the patient
would include the following:
• The GP
• Oncologist
• Oncology Nurses
• Radiologist
• Maori health providers
• Psychotherapist
• Occupational Therapist

Rationale for the inclusion of the
palliative care team:
As stated by Hui and Bruera (2016), the referral to the multidisciplinary team of professionals must include
a sound rationale.
• The GP would continuously assess the patient’s health and accordingly prescribe diagnostic tests such as
computed tomography, MRI and Dexa test to assess the present condition of breast cancer
• The rationale for the referral to psychotherapist and a counsellor can be explained as administering
therapies in order to promote mental wellness
• The rationale for the inclusion of radiologist can be explained as performing the analysis of the diagnostic
test results
• The rationale for the referral to Maori health providers include the consideration of cultural safety and
establishment of a positive rapport with the patient.
• The rationale for the referral to special education care for the children is to relieve the patient from her
worries in relation to the upbringing of her children.

Rationale for the inclusion of the
palliative care team:
• The rationale for the referral to oncology nurses include specialized care services for the
critical physical health condition
• The rationale for the referral to a spiritual therapist can be explained as inducing personal
motivation within the patient that has been reported to promote positive recovery
• The rationale for the referral to an occupational therapist includes improving the ability of
the patient to perform activities of daily living and restore her independence
• The rationale for the inclusion of a family centred practice includes, ensuring positive family
support and inclusion of the family members within the decision making process so as to
prioritize the needs of the patients and the family members of the patient.

Organizations/services Involved:
•Hospice
•Breast Cancer Foundation
•Ministry of Health

Conclusion:
• The care plan for the patient would be
based upon the Maori health care
model
• The patient would be placed at the
heart of the care and would be
provided holistic care so as to acquire
positive health outcome.
• A multidisciplinary team of
professionals would be involved along
with referrals to a few important
organizations so as to ensure positive
recovery.

References:
Breastcancerfoundation.org.nz (2019). Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. [online] Breastcancerfoundation.org.nz.
Available at: https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/ [Accessed 25 May 2019].
Hospice.org.nz (2019). [online] Hospice.org.nz. Available at: http://www.hospice.org.nz/ [Accessed 25 May
2019].
Hui, D., & Bruera, E. (2016). Integrating palliative care into the trajectory of cancer care. Nature reviews
Clinical oncology, 13(3), 159.
Ministry of Health NZ (2019). Māori health models – Te Whare Tapa Whā. [online] Ministry of Health NZ.
Available at: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/maori-health-models/maori-
health-models-te-whare-tapa-wha [Accessed 25 May 2019].
Ministry of Health NZ (2019). Primary health care subsidies and services. [online] Ministry of Health NZ.
Available at: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/primary-health-care/primary-health-care-subsidies-and-
services [Accessed 25 May 2019].

THANK YOU!!!