Effective Communication between Health Practitioners & Patients Crucial for Navigating End of Life Care
University of Botswana (UB) Faculty of Health Science Adult - Gerontology Nurse Specialist, Dr Mariam Sebego, has said effective communication between health practitioners and patients was crucial for navigating end of life care to provide compassionate support to individuals and families facing life limiting illness.
Dr Sebego made remarks during a panel discussion on End-of-Life Care Planning, Decision Making, Compassionate and Bereavement Support at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) on the 15th of September 2025. She said the discussions helped patients make informed decisions about their end-of-life journey and provided comfort and guidance to their loved ones. She further stated that it ensured the wishes and preferences of patients were respected and honoured.
Furthermore, Dr Sebego highlighted the need for multidisciplinary care in providing palliative care to ensure holistic, integrated care by combining diverse professional expertise such as nurse, doctors, social workers and psychologist to address complex needs of patients with life limiting illnesses and their families.
She added that a healthcare practitioner should be trained to communicate effectively with patients and families on death and dying to improve patients care and manage emotional burden on staff.
Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) Palliative Care Specialist, Dr Babe Gaolebale, echoed the same sentiments on healthcare practitioners with training to communicate effectively with patients facing life limiting illness and their families to recognises signs of imminent death, comprehensive palliative care and cope with psychological challenges of their work.
Dr Gaolebale highlighted that the Ministry of Health was grappling with challenges related to licensing home-based care, as well as a shortage of experts and resources. She said homebased care reach out was currently conducted through telephone. She added that most patients struggled with financial constraints to access private services.
Meanwhile, Princes Marina Hospital (PMH) Social Worker, Mr Tefo Mokone, underscored the significance of team work and professionalism in providing quality palliative care towards patients while Ms Dorothy Matiza encouraged health care practitioners to have patience, love and listening skills in dealing with patience facing life threatening illness.