Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic Provides Comforting Care to Patients

Integrative medicine is a specialized kind of care that blends conventional medicine with therapies such as acupuncture to treat the whole patient. The care can help relieve the the physical, emotional and spiritual pain of a patient with a serious illness.

Suncoast Hospice physician Kirksak Jay Poonkasem, M.D. practices integrative medicine to bring much needed comfort to our hospice patients at our new Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic. Watch Dr. Poonkasem talk about integrative medicine and our care at the clinic in this video.  

Check back soon for a Part II video with Dr. Poonkasem telling the story of one patient who greatly benefited from the care at the clinic.

Suncoast Hospice Celebrates National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

By Deidra Woods, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, CMD
Suncoast Hospice Medical Director

Dr. Deidra Woods

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month: Hospice. Care on Your Terms. Palliative care is the medical specialty focused on the relief of symptoms associated with serious illness and hospice care is palliative care applied to patients nearing the end of life.   

I’d like to share what a privilege it has been for me to devote my medical career to this very special group of patients. The first reaction of my medical colleagues is usually, “Hospice does such a wonderful job. I appreciate all your organization does for my patients.”  But then they lean in closely, grab my arm tightly and whisper, “I don’t know how you could do that work.” I sincerely answer, “I can’t imagine doing any other work.”

Drawn to Hospice

Prior to working in hospice care, I practiced in Naples, Florida in a geriatric practice that supplied physician services to long term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. After about a year, a hospice nurse approached me in a nursing home and asked if I’d be interested in becoming a full time hospice physician. At that time in 1994, I wasn’t familiar with the concept of full time employment for physicians in hospice care. But her enthusiasm for her organization and conviction that I was suited for that work swayed me to interview for the position and I’ve been a hospice physician ever since. 

Rewarding Field 

The ability to relieve suffering and address the important issues and meaning of end of life are the greatest rewards in medicine. To my colleagues who are concerned that my work may be depressing, my answer is never. It’s ultimately the greatest feeling to know that I’ve helped a patient or family to have a meaningful experience as death approaches, with the patient as comfortable as possible.  

The loving care that families provide to hospice patients is an inspiration to us in our daily work. Our volunteers who provide countless hours of care and companionship to our frail elders remind us of the goodness and generosity of people. The courage that our patients and families demonstrate as they face the reality that life is finite and each day is a gift makes us thankful for our own blessings.   

The lessons I’ve learned at the bedsides of people whose lives are drawing to a close are the most valuable I’ve ever learned and have enriched my life immeasurably. Being allowed to share such intimate moments with families is a real gift.   

The practice of medicine itself is a very special career, made even more special when devoted to patients in hospice and palliative care. Please help us celebrate National Hospice and Palliative Care Month by visiting the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website, nhpco.org.   

Have you been touched by hospice and palliative care? Tell us your story.

Is It Time For Hospice Care?

By Sue Rice, RN, CHPN

Suncoast Hospice Director of Admission Practices

Sue Rice, Suncoast Hospice Dir. of Admission Practices

“I wish we had known about your services sooner.” This is the most common feedback we hear from our community when they share their Suncoast Hospice experiences.

As a registered nurse working at Suncoast Hospice for the past 19 years, I understand how difficult the first conversation about hospice can be. I also understand that it can be just as difficult for physicians and families to start the conversation. I'm specially trained to visit patients and families to help educate and guide them as they consider if it’s time for hospice.

I recently met with a gentleman and his wife at their home and assessed him for our services. He told me, “Hospice just sounds so final.” I was grateful that he had opened the emotional door and allowed me to come in and explain the value of accepting hospice care sooner rather than later.

As he and his devoted wife shared their journey of living with a serious illness, they recognized that there comes a time when the battle is about quality of life. “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he shared. I listened as he recounted the numerous tests, doctors’ appointments and emergency room visits he had experienced because of the increasing symptoms that were robbing him of comfort, sleep, energy and overall enjoyment of life. 

As I explained that our interdisciplinary medical teams of hospice professionals are available to quickly and effectively manage his pain and symptoms at home, his wife expressed relief that she could call us any time, day or night. I also discussed our care centers as alternatives to more hospital stays. I explained how our expert physicians and staff provide quick and effective pain and symptom management in the care centers’ compassionate and calm environments, allowing patients to return home after their pain is resolved. “That sounds wonderful,” he said.

After our conversation, the couple agreed that it made perfect sense to accept hospice care sooner. And their feelings of fear and finality were exchanged for hope and relief.

This same peace of mind can benefit all hospice care patients and their families, wherever the patients reside, including homes, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted and independent living facilities. Especially if loved ones can’t be at the bedsides or live out of state, it’s comforting to know that our skilled care teams are there to work together with healthcare partners to provide tailored care and support to patients and keep families informed.

It all begins with a visit with one of our trained hospice representatives who can inform you about your care options.

We’re here for you. If you’d like to hear more about our services, please call us any time at 727-467-7423.