Research into palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e183-e188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Harding ◽  
Lucy Selman ◽  
Richard A Powell ◽  
Eve Namisango ◽  
Julia Downing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals QOLP-03. NEURO-ONCOLOGY PALLIATIVE CARE SURVEY OF PHYSICIANS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii175-ii175
Author(s):  
Ramya Tadipatri ◽  
Amir Azadi ◽  
Madison Cowdrey ◽  
Samuel Fongue ◽  
Paul Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Oral Feeding ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Prior Training ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract BACKGROUND Early access to palliative care is a critical component of treating patients with advanced cancer, particularly for glioblastoma patients who have low rates of survival despite optimal therapies. Additionally, there are unique considerations for primary brain tumor patients given the need for management of headaches, seizures, and focal neurological deficits. METHODS We conducted a survey of 109 physicians in Sub-Saharan Africa in order to determine level of understanding and skill in providing palliative care, types of palliative care therapies provided, role of cultural beliefs, availability of resources, and challenges faced. Demographic data including age, gender, and prior training was collected and analyzed using ANOVA statistical testing. RESULTS Among the participants, 48% felt comfortable in providing palliative care consultations, 62% have not had prior training, 52% believed that palliative care is only appropriate when there is irreversible deterioration, 62% expressed having access to palliative care, 49% do not have access to liquid opioid agents, 50% stated that cultural beliefs held by the patient or family prevented them from receiving, palliative care, and 23% stated that their own beliefs affected palliative care delivery. Older providers (age > 30) had a clearer understanding of palliative care (p = 0.004), were more comfortable providing consultation (p = 0.052), and were more likely to address mental health (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Palliative care delivery to glioblastoma patients in Sub-Saharan Africa is often delayed until late in the disease course. Barriers to adequate palliative care treatment identified in this survey study include lack of training, limited access to liquid opioid agents, and cultural beliefs. Challenges most often identified by participants were pain management and end-of-life communication skills, but also included patient spirituality and psychological support, anxiety and depression, terminal dyspnea, ethics, and intravenous hydration and non-oral feeding.

scholarly journals LESSONS FROM FOUR COUNTRIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA IN DEFINING AND DEVELOPING INTEGRATED MODELS OF PALLIATIVE CARE

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A82.3-A83
Author(s):  
Julia Downing ◽  
Mhoira Leng ◽  
Elizabeth Namukwaya ◽  
Scott Murray ◽  
Mackuline Atieno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Integrated Models ◽  
Sub Saharan

Advancing palliative care research in Sub-Saharan Africa: from the Venice declaration, to Nairobi and beyond

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 885-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA Powell ◽  
J Downing ◽  
L Radbruch ◽  
FN Mwangi-Powell ◽  
R Harding
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Research ◽  
Sub Saharan

Using a framework for resource stratification to adapt palliative care guidelines to Sub-Saharan Africa.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 145-145
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Dans ◽  
Kunuz Abdella ◽  
Dinah Baah-Odoom ◽  
Rinty Kintu ◽  
Israel Kolawole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Rational Approach ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Nccn Guidelines ◽  
Cancer Management ◽  
The Us ◽  
Sub Saharan

145 Background: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a not-for-profit alliance of 27 leading cancer centers in the United States (US), but the NCCN’s mission to improve cancer care extends world-wide. Nearly half of the registered users of the NCCN Guidelines are based outside the US, and the NCCN has developed a process for adapting its Guidelines to lower-resourced settings. The cancer burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is significant – by 2030, annual cancer deaths in the region are projected to reach 1,000,000 people – and most cancers diagnosed in SSA are late-stage. Methods: The NCCN Framework outlines a rational approach for constructing cancer management systems to provide the highest achievable care. Each of the 4 NCCN Framework levels builds on the one before it, so care can evolve as resources grow: “Basic Resources” are essential for care; “Core Resources” add services improving disease outcomes; and “Enhanced Resources” include more cost-prohibitive services. The Guidelines themselves are the final level: evidence-based, consensus-driven recommendations from each NCCN Panel. Resource-stratification begins with modification of the Guidelines by a NCCN Framework Committee within each Panel. Results: In the case of SSA, organizers from the NCCN, American Cancer Society, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and IBM arranged 3 consensus meetings in which resource-stratified drafts of the Guidelines for Palliative Care and Cancer Pain will be refined by a committee of NCCN representatives, oncologists, and palliative care providers from Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and the US. Important themes emerging from the first meeting included early screening for palliative care needs, even before tissue diagnosis, in areas with limited availability of anti-cancer therapy. In addition, cultural differences on the topic of “Physician-Aid-in-Dying” led to its replacement with guidance on caring for patients expressing a wish to die. Conclusions: Collaboration with colleagues in SSA, and other areas around the globe, to resource-stratify NCCN Guidelines will allow more systematic use of the guidelines and improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care.

Nurses experiences in palliative care of terminally-ill HIV patients in a level 1 district hospital

Curationis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nokwanda E. Bam ◽  
Joanne R. Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teams ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Terminally Ill Patients ◽  
Hiv Management ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Whilst the discourse of palliative care in HIV management is largely documented and regarded as being an essential component, various authors have further argued that within the context of HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa, palliative care and exploration of the dimensions thereof is largely lacking. This article presents the lived experiences of nurses involved in palliative care, thus providing the perspective of nurses and the multi-faceted dimensions of the nature of caring inherent.Objectives: This study explored the respondents’ understanding of the concepts ‘caring’ and ‘terminal patient’ and described the experiences of nurses caring for terminally-ill patients with HIV and how these experiences influence the nature of care rendered.Methods: Qualitative research using Husserl’s approach of phenomenology design underpinned the study and Giorgi’s steps of analysis were used to make meaning of the data.Results: The concept ‘caring’ was experienced by the nurses as transforming the patients’ quality of life through supportive care and hope for life. Palliative care made the nurses conscious of their own mortality, enabling them to be more sensitive, compassionate and dedicated to caring for their patients. The findings described the social networking that enabled nurses to collaborate with colleagues in the interdisciplinary teams and shared knowledge, skills and support within the palliative care team in order to optimise patient outcomes.Conclusion: Nurses with prolonged involvement in caring for terminally-ill patients with HIV experienced helplessness and emotional stress. Recommendations based on the results are that training in psychological and holistic care of the patient, professional counselling and stress management services are needed to support the nurse in this context.

Palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa

The Lancet ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 366 (9485) ◽  
pp. 546-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Colebunders ◽  
L John ◽  
A Muganzi ◽  
L Lynen ◽  
A Kambugu
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan
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