The American Board of Surgery Subspecialties

 

Dr. Khalid Mahmoud Shirif is a certified medical practitioner with the American College of Surgeons. Serving as a medical director at Sunshine Health in Arizona, Dr. Khalid Mahmoud Shirif is also board certified by the American College of Surgeons in palliative and hospice care.

There are two specialties under the American Board of Surgery: general surgery and vascular surgery. Under these two specialties, there are also other subspecialties. Some of these include:

1. Surgical critical care

Surgical critical care is the subspecialty that deals with the treatment of critically injured patients. Surgeons certified in this subspecialty are saddled with the responsibility of coordinating patients' care together with other critical care staff.

2. Surgery of the hand

The subspecialty that focuses on the injuries and disorders affecting the wrist and hands is the surgery of the hand. Surgeons certified by the board in this subspecialty oversee the treatment of cases such as lumps, trigger fingers, and any hand injuries suffered during sporting activities.

3. Hospice and palliative medicine

Surgeons certified in the hospice and palliative medicine subspecialty oversee the care of patients suffering from life-limiting illnesses. This subspecialty of surgery provides relief to such patients' suffering while offering psychological support to their families.

4. Pediatric surgery

Pediatric surgery is the subspecialty that oversees the care of little children and young adults. Surgeons certified in this subspecialty are responsible for treating congenital disabilities and medical conditions common in children, such as appendicitis. They also coordinate the care of premature infants.

Some Facts about Palliative Care

Board certified in hospice and palliative care with the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Khalid Mahmoud Shirif obtained his doctor of medicine at the University of Minnesota in 1997. Dr. Khalid Mahmoud Shirif acquired experience in general surgery through residency training at several institutions. Currently, Dr. Khalid Shirif serves as a medical director with his palliative care center Traditions Hospice in Mesa, Arizona, where he provides care for terminally ill patients.

Palliative care, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is an approach that centers on improving the quality of life of patients and their families who are faced with problems that emanate from the patient's life-threatening illness. Palliative care providers achieve this through early identification, assessment, and treatment of problems that can or already do result from the illness (such as pain). Aside from addressing physical symptoms like pain, palliative care also assesses physically elusive symptoms such as psychosocial stress. Healthcare providers who specialize in palliative care are proficient in communicating with patients and their families to ensure that the care they receive is in line with their goals and wishes.

The goal of palliative care is not to extend a patient's life. Instead, it focuses on actively supporting the patient with attainable comfort before they die. Since it improves the patient's quality of life, it may have a positive influence on the course of the illness. It can also be done along with other therapies (such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy) that intend to prolong the patient's life or restore them to health.

ACS Continues Supporting Surgical Patients by Joining SCC

Dr. Khalid Shirif splits his time between leading several Arizona medical operations, such as Vanguard Physician Group and Anthem Hospice, where he serves as medical director. Dedicated to staying abreast of changes in the field, Dr. Khalid Shirif is double board-certified in general surgery and hospice and palliative care by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

Since its founding in 1913, the ACS has been working toward improving the quality of care for surgical patients. To this end, the organization announced in June 2020 that it is a founding member of the Surgical Care Coalition (SCC). This group will work with Congress to improve the quality of life for surgical patients, along with protecting them and ensuring they have good access to surgical care. It would also work on stopping the planned Medicare cuts that would reduce the timely delivery of and access to quality surgical services.

The ACS has been strongly opposed to these proposed cuts since they were first announced. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would implement a reduction in surgical care payments by January 2021, but the ACS hopes that it, along with the SCC’s other 11 founding members, can encourage Congress to prevent these cuts. Together, the group has already found that surgeons are facing serious financial distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and these cuts combined with such distress could create instability in the healthcare system. 

Paying for Hospice Services with Medicare

With a medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Khalid Mahmoud Shirif is experienced in providing hospice and palliative care services. Dr. Khalid Shirif is the owner and medical director of two Mesa, Arizona hospice centers that provide end-of-life care.

Hospice care expenses can be covered by Medicare in certain circumstances. The patient must qualify for Medicare Part A, which covers many types of long-term care. The patient must receive a terminal diagnosis from their physician that estimates less than six months to live. Furthermore, the patient must only accept palliative medical treatment and forgo curative care.

If the previous conditions are met, the patient or his/her legal guardian must sign a legal document attesting the desire to end curative treatment. If the patient receives care in a Medicare-approved facility, they will not be responsible for any costs. Housing costs are not covered for patients who receive hospice care where they normally reside.

Key Principles of Palliative Care

Prior to opening Anthem Hospice, Dr. Khalid Shirif served as the medical director of several other end-of-life care programs in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Khalid Shirif holds American College of Surgeon board certifications in, general surgery, and palliative care.

The decision to enter palliative care can be emotionally difficult for patients and their families. Palliative care providers follow several principles to ensure that every patient receives the best possible care. This includes the following concepts that are common to all end-of-life care:

Autonomy: Effective palliative care is patient-focused and considers the patient and their families’ preferences, cultural and religious beliefs, and end-of-life wishes. Patients can also make important decisions regarding their care.

Holistic: Palliative care goes beyond treating the disease and managing physical symptoms. It often also includes mental health and emotional support, spiritual counseling, and assistance for close family members.

Contextualization: Since palliative care can begin at any point during the course of a life-threatening illness, it is essential that care practices accurately reflect the patient’s condition. For example, neglecting to treat a patient in the early stages of a terminal illness or administering intrusive therapies at the end of the disease course are both against palliative care ethics.

Who Benefits from Palliative Care?

Dr. Khalid Shirif, a dedicated leader in the medical field, serves as the medical director for Sunrise Health, Anthem Hospice, and Traditions Hospice in Mesa, Arizona. In addition to his medical degree from The University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Khalid Mahmoud Shirif received board certification in general surgery, hospice, and palliative care from the American College of Surgeons.

Palliative care provides personalized medical services, support, and resources of patients who are suffering from a variety of medical conditions. It enhances the quality of life for patients by improving symptom management efforts beyond that of standard care. Furthermore, it boosts comfort and reduces stress for the patient’s family since the burden of caring for a sick loved one is shifted to the palliative care team.

Since palliative care is personalized, it is capable of helping patients regardless of their age or the illness they are dealing with. Patients with cardiac issues, like heart valve problems or heart failure, often benefit from palliative care. As do patients with ALS and other neurological issues, cancer, complex surgical issues, and medical illness that significantly impacts their quality of life.

Considering one in four adults in the United States have a chronic disease, and three in four adults over the age of 65 do, palliative care can benefit a huge range of people.

The Evolving Role of Hospice Facilities

Dr. Khalid Shirif possesses medical experience that spans nearly three decades. In his present positions, Dr. Khalid Shirif serves as the owner and medical director of both Anthem Hospice and Vanguard Physician Group. He is also the medical director of Traditions Hospice.

The role of hospice care has been evolving. In addition to the typical functions of pain management and symptom control, hospice facilities now work to provide emotional support to their patients and families. Staff members understand that feeling panic, angry, and helpless are normal at this time, so measures are put in place to address this stress and anxiety.

Additionally, hospice facilities have embraced spiritual care, which, for many, is an essential part of the end of life. Many hospices try to incorporate a harmonious spiritual environment for their patients. Activities include music therapy, massage, and Reiki (the belief in touching with the hands to strengthen energy fields in the body).