An interdisciplinary family meeting is arranged. Participants include Mr. M and his wife, you and your ward attending and housestaff, Mr. M’s oncologist, his primary ward nurse, a representative from care coordination/social services and a hospital chaplain.
Mr. M’s and his wife’s concerns are elicited and his clinical course are reviewed by his physicians. Expectations about the future and shared goals of care at home are established. Mr. M expressed tearfully his concern about “giving up” and how this would affect his family. His wife strongly reassured him with words and hugs how the she and the family’s recognize of how “hard he has fought” and now share his desire to be at home with them and as comfortable as possible.
The services and logistics of home hospice care are discussed by physicians and social worker and all agreed that this medical, nursing, psychological and logistical support would work well for Mr. M and his family. The chaplain elicited Mr. M’s concerns about his faith and a decision was made that the chaplain would contact the minister at Mr. M’s church to facilitate pastoral and church visits.