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4 Responses to “Hospice: What to Expect”
  1. frankg Says:

    if your doctor won't sign off on hospice care you can go the provider and they can sign offf on it? or they just will help you find a doctor who will?

  2. April Smith Says:

    Dear frankg,
    If your doctor will not sign you on for hospice, then you could see another doctor. There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. It’s possible that you may not be hospice appropriate. However, if you are terminal, then it’s your choice whether or not to seek hospice care. A doctor may recommend aggressive curative treatment, but if you don’t want that, then you shouldn’t have to do it. The choice is yours on how you live your life.
    All hospices have a medical director that can substitute for your physician if needed. You should first talk to your doctor about hospice—and if you meet with resistance then contact a hospice for help. Hospice information can be obtained online, such as via Gilbert Guide’s free subscription service, or by looking up Hospice in the phonebook.

  3. Annie P Says:

    What exactly does a Marketing Director for a hospice do?

  4. April Smith Says:

    Well, that’s a great question and one I’ve heard a lot although sometimes it is phrased differently, such as, “Why does a hospice need a marketing director?” The reason is because there are still a lot of people who don’t know what hospice is. The role of the marketing director is to spread awareness about hospice, promote the services and educate the public, as well as market the unique characteristics of their own hospice. I’ve been told that I could also be referred to as public relations, networking, outreach or liaison. Some of the main responsibilities include dealing with advertising, visiting referral sources (hospitals, nursing homes, physicians, discharge planners, social workers, administrators, etc.) along with attending health fairs and conferences. The marketing director does not sell a product but promotes a service.

  5. Kate Caltabiano Says:

    Loved your article! I am a former Hospice nurse, now administrator entering into a research project for my MS in Management. I hope to research how marketing Hospice to physicians may decrease the incidence of "late referrals". Any suggestions? Thanks!

  6. April Smith Says:

    Dear Katie,
    Thanks for your response. As to your comment about decreasing “late referrals,” I’m still working on that one! From research, I’ve found the best way to decrease late referrals is continuous education. The problem is getting the physicians to listen to what you have to say, read material you leave, or attend an in-service you provide. Hospice is a sensitive and touchy subject that a lot of people, even physicians, have a hard time discussing. Providing Continuing Education Units (CEU) is an excellent way to get physicians to attend an in-service, but there is a lot involved in doing so. Maybe look into something like that? Perhaps compare the Average Length of Stay (ALOS) on hospice for a physician’s patients before and then after attending an education class (just an idea). I wish you good luck with your research!

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