Shared Goals of Care creates two-way conversations for patient care
A new programme Shared Goals of Care is being launched today to foster two-way conversations among clinicians, patients, and whānau, says Dr David Gow, Chief Medical Officer for Southern.
In line with our Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities, shared goals of care are when clinicians, patients and whānau explore patients’ values, the care and treatment options available and agree the goal of care for the current admission and if the patient’s condition worsens.
“Shared Goals of Care is an important safety improvement for our patients from the previous consultation process,” says David.
“Incorporating this new practice into our daily routines will lead to more patient and whānau-centred care and better health outcomes.”
The implementation of Shared Goals of Care will streamline shared care planning across our hospitals. From today, patients and their whānau are given options to choose from which focus on what the current treatment options are, the likely outcomes and what health care a patient would or would not want. Shared Goals of Care also includes what is meaningful to a person, their hopes, worries, values and plans for the future and the ways they would like those caring for them to look after their spiritual and emotional needs.
Discussions around shared goals of care are initiated before episodes of acute deterioration, meaning everyone can participate fully, free from the pressures of an evolving clinical crisis.
Dr Rebecca Brushwood, Chair of the Shared Goals of Care Steering Group, says the Southern team is very pleased about the go-live of Shared Goals of Care as it puts the patient in the centre with discussions around care plans and their wishes.
“It is reassuring for the patient and their whānau that their autonomy and decisions on their care will be carried out,” says Rebecca.
The implementation of Shared Goals of Care is part of a five-year national Patient Deterioration programme led by the Health Quality and Safety Commission (HQSC), which has two other components: Recognition and response systems, and patient family and whānau escalation.
More information: Shared Goals of Care | Southern Health | He hauora, he kuru pounamu
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