Implementing a Practice Council in Home Health Care and Hospice

Abstract

The field of home health care is entering a challenging period. Reduced visit allocations will increase the accountability of caregivers to provide competent and outcome- oriented service. Creative solutions will be necessary to prevent staff disillusionment. The shared governance movement is a potential avenue for empowering direct caregivers to make decisions that can shape their practice and enhance professional satisfaction. This article will describe one model of shared governance and present a step-by-step guide to implementing a practice council in the home care and hospice setting.