Dr. Kirksak Poonkasem and nurse Shirley Spear Begley at Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic
More and more Americans seeking comfort for an illness or health condition are turning to integrative medicine, also known as complementary or alternative medicine. Integrative medicine combines conventional medical care with evidence-based modalities, such as acupuncture, to treat all aspects of a person – body, mind and spirit.
Findings from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey showed that, “In the United States, approximately 38 percent of adults and approximately 12 percent of children are using some form of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine).” The findings also revealed that, “Use has increased for several therapies, including deep breathing exercises, therapy and yoga.”
Care & Comfort for Terminally-Ill
Suncoast Hospice patients of all ages have benefited from our integrative medicine program. Care is delivered in patients’ homes or facilities or our care centers and integrative medicine clinic.
Practicing in the clinic are Suncoast Hospice physician Kirksak Poonkasem, MD, FAAFP, LMT, who specializes in integrative hospice and palliative medicine, and Suncoast Hospice integrative practice clinician Shirley Spear Begley, RN, who has more than 30 years of integrative healthcare experience and numerous related certifications. Many trained volunteers also support the program. Services have included acupuncture, breath work, Reiki, music-at-the-bedside, massage therapy, aroma therapy and more.
Since Shirley’s start in integrative medicine in the 1980s, there has been tremendous growth in education and practice. She has facilitated several trainings for Suncoast staff and volunteers. Through a holistic approach using such modalities as therapeutic touch, she has achieved calmness and pain relief for many patients in the dying process.
“Our patients see that we have something more to offer that can help them feel more comfort. Integrative medicine has a lot to do with building relationships between the practitioner and the patient and family. You can’t care for just one part of a person. To heal, you must deal with the whole person. We look at how we can help meet a person’s physical and psychosocial needs so they can find healing and die in peace. This work has been so rewarding,” Shirley said.
How Volunteers Help
Seniors and younger individuals share their expertise in Reiki, music-at-the-beside and massage and aroma therapies. “These volunteers are well versed in the holistic model of care and say their work in these interventions not only helps the patients feel less anxiety and pain, but provides pleasure to them,” said Kathy Roble, Empath Health director of volunteer services.
The interventions and assistance with other important tasks enhance quality of life for patients and their families. “A music volunteer expressed what fun she had with her patient and how the music paved the way for sharing memories and moments of closeness between them,” Shirley said.
Other types of essential service have included a teen downloading music to MP3 players, a woman who performed Reiki and a woman who made weekly appointment reminder calls at the clinic and team volunteers who gave rides to the clinic.
“Our clinic patients rely on their volunteers each week and often say how kind they are to bring them. A number of our patients who are experiencing significant relief from our combined methods couldn’t come to the clinic without volunteers providing transportation. We’re so appreciative of all our volunteers. They love giving back and how their service adds so much richness to their lives.”
Volunteers Needed
Interested in volunteering? Massage therapists and other roles are needed. Register online today for our volunteer training.