Recommendations for Expansion of Quality Hospice Care in the United States Utilizing a Health Promotion Approach and Enhanced Outreach

The occurrence of illness, dying, and death are universal commonalities shared by all human beings regardless of ethnic and cultural background, age, gender, socioeconomic status, education level, marital status, or occupation. In the evolving healthcare climate of the 21st century, the quality of end of life care is an emerging public health concern that can be attributed to specific trends. These trends include a rise in chronic disease, an increase in life expectancy, the rapid growth of an aging population, and the complex challenges faced by individuals, families and caregivers, and communities with end of life care needs (Miller & Ryndes, 2005). There has been a growing recognition of the benefits of hospice care as an integral, supportive component of the healthcare continuum, and yet persistent barriers affect perceptions of quality, value, cost-effectiveness, access, and acceptance. A potential public health response to address this issue would be to utilize a health promotion approach to reduce the discomfort, suffering, and disability in populations resulting from end of life care needs, dispel trending misconceptions regarding hospice, and maximize use through the enhancement of hospice care outreach (American Public Health Association [APHA], 2016). This paper aims to increase the available body of knowledge by providing an overview of the hospice care specialty, whose primary mission is to provide comfort, reduce suffering, preserve dignity, address end of life care needs, and optimize quality of life (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization [NHPCO], 2015). The challenges in the current healthcare landscape for end of life care are addressed for vulnerable populations, as well as the expanded roles that hospice will need to take on within the healthcare system. Evidence is provided on the impact of hospice care use as a valuable program for higher quality of end of life care, added value and services to individuals, families, communities, and the healthcare system. This evidence is presented in terms of improved care satisfaction and outcomes, and reduced overall healthcare costs (Baer & Hanson, 2000). Three specific outreach recommendations for the enhancement of hospice care outreach have been identified based on the review of available literature. These recommendations include program promotion and development by using effective pathways to educate health professionals and the general public; earlier enrollment for the full benefit of offered hospice services; and increasing access of hospice to all populations.Master of Public Healt