The Hospice Care Arc: Exploring Hospice Care with Patients and Families

This chapter discusses the Hospice Care Arc, the goal of which is to explore patient and family experience and understanding of hospice care and to provide education about hospice care. The chapter discusses the importance of investigating patient and family experiences of hospice care, which provides an opportunity to explain hospice care in a way that settles fears and concerns by correcting misperceptions about hospice care, addressing missteps in the timing of the start of hospice care, and attending to misguided hospice care. Ultimately, the chapter emphasizes the need for healthcare providers at every level to be equipped with an accurate understanding of hospice care and the training and permission to discuss hospice care with patients and families.