Understanding the Role of Hospice Care: Reflections from a Service-Learning Project

There is little known about the part end-of-life care plays in patient care. This paper examines the role of end-of-life care in the care of a dying patient and consists of findings from a service-learning project with Circle of Life hospice. To be able to effectively care for those in the end stages of life, healthcare professionals must turn away from the curative aspects of medicine, to treating symptoms and improving quality of whatever life remains for the patient. In order to normalize EOL Care and consequently make it more accessible, we must educate our healthcare practitioners regarding the benefits of hospice care and better recognize patients that warrant EOL Care. Patients often struggle with advance care planning, but providers can be a resource in those discussions