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Kathy Black

Publications and source records attributed to Kathy Black.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Advance directive communications practices:social worker's contributions to the interdisciplinary health care team.

This article presents a comparative study about social workers' interdisciplinary advance directive communication practices with patients at several hospitals located in upstate New York. The sample consisted of physicians (n=32), nurses (n=74), and social workers (n=29). The research surveyed advance directive communication practices by discipline utilizing a self-administered questionnaire. Advance directive communication was operationalized as a cumulative process incorporating the following phases that were measured as scales: initiation of the topic, disclosure of information, identification of a surrogate decision-maker, discussion of treatment options, elicitation of patient values, interaction with family members, and collaboration with other health care professionals. Results suggest that social workers offer distinct skills in their advance directive communication practices and discuss advance directives more frequently than either physicians or nurses.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Concerned about client decision-making capacity? Considerations for practice.

Many more people are reaching old age than ever before, and older people are increasingly living longer. As the nation experiences this unprecedented growth of older Americans, geriatric case managers are likely to encounter many clients at very advanced ages. Concomitantly, practitioners will confront elders with questionable decision-making capacity, as dementia and other cognitive impairments are more common among the older age groups. These clients pose potential safety and well-being concerns and may be vulnerable to exploitation, neglect, and abuse in their homes. Case managers' responses to such client scenarios may range from little involvement, by acquiescing to the client's right to make autonomous decisions, to resorting to legal action, which may lead to a substantial loss of rights for the elder. This article provides considerations for practice with elders presenting with questionable decision-making capacity and precarious living situations. The distinction between capacity and competency is presented and factors affecting decision making are discussed. Ethical aspects are addressed and the process of assessing capacity is reviewed to enhance case managers' practices in this area.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nurses' advance care planning communication: an investigation.

This article presents a descriptive study about nurses' (N = 74) advance directive communication practices with hospitalized older patients. The research surveyed advance directive communication practices by using a self-administered questionnaire. Advance directive communication was measured with 7 subscales: initiation of the topic, disclosure of information, identification of a surrogate decision maker, discussion of treatment options, elicitation of patient values, interaction with family members, and collaboration with other health care professionals. Results suggest that nurses' communication regarding advance directives reflects a broader process of advance care planning and that age, years of experience, and personal experience with advance directives are associated with communication practices.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Advance directive communication: nurses' and social workers' perceptions of roles.

As a facet of advance care planning for future health care, advance directive communication represents an important aspect of professional health care practice with older patients. Nurses and social workers routinely discuss advance directives in acute care settings; however, communication practices by discipline are not well understood. This qualitative study explored differences in advance directive communication practices by comparing and contrasting nurses' and social workers' perceptions of their roles. Focus group interviews were conducted with nurses (n = 6) and social workers (n = 5). Five key themes emerged from the data. Findings suggest that both professions perceive primary educational roles, though their informational practices differed in content. The professionals reported differential pathways that led to their practices with patients. Both disciplines identified advocacy roles with families and providers. The practitioners reported distinct roles with families. There was mutual recognition of interdisciplinary roles. The findings suggest that nurses and social workers engage in both parallel and complementary advance care planning practices with their patients.

Adult↗