scholarly journals Filters and hubs: shortening the distance to palliative care evidence

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 268 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Tieman

Palliative care is an integral part of the care provided by GPs and other primary health care providers, and as Australia’s population ages and the palliative care needs of patients with end stage organ failure are recognised, this area of care is likely to increase. Using a knowledge translation framework, two strategies have been used to develop resources to support those providing palliative care in the community. PubMed searches on a range of common palliative care topics and incorporating a palliative care filter provide an easy and validated mechanism to retrieve relevant literature. A ‘GP Hub’ offers knowledge, skills and practical advice for GPs who provide palliative care in the community. Both resources are freely available within the CareSearch website, ensuring immediate access to palliative care information and evidence when it is needed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 472
Author(s):  
Nuzul Sri Hertanti ◽  
Mei-Chih Huang ◽  
Chia-Ming Chang ◽  
Susan Jane Fetzer ◽  
Chi-Yin Kao

This study investigated Indonesian primary health care providers’ knowledge and comfort towards palliative care. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. From August 2017 to February 2018, the research team approached 70 primary care centres in the Yogyakarta province of Indonesia and invited health care providers to complete the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing – Indonesia and describe their comfort in caring for terminally ill patients. Data were obtained from 516 health care providers. The mean (±s.d.) score of palliative care knowledge was low (7.8±3.3 of a possible score of 20). Current comfort level in providing palliative care was also low (1.6±2.7 of a possible score of 10). Only 11.3% of palliative care knowledge was explained by respondents understanding of palliative care definition, their education levels and experience in providing palliative care in hospital. However, 82.9% of provider comfort was explained by their experiences for caring for terminally ill patients in primary healthcare centres, palliative care training and years of work experience in primary healthcare centres. Indonesian evidence-based palliative care standards and guidelines must be established with education offered to all providers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M. Finucane ◽  
Connie Swenson ◽  
John I. MacArtney ◽  
Rachel Perry ◽  
Hazel Lamberton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Specialist palliative care (SPC) providers tend to use the term ‘complex’ to refer to the needs of patients who require SPC. However, little is known about complex needs on first referral to a SPC service. We examined which needs are present and sought the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the complexity of need on referral to a hospice service. Methods Multi-site sequential explanatory mixed method study consisting of a case-note review and focus groups with healthcare professionals in four UK hospices. Results Documentation relating to 239 new patient referrals to hospice was reviewed; and focus groups involving 22 healthcare professionals conducted. Most patients had two or more needs documented on referral (96%); and needs were recorded across two or more domains for 62%. Physical needs were recorded for 91% of patients; psychological needs were recorded for 59%. Spiritual needs were rarely documented. Referral forms were considered limited for capturing complex needs. Referrals were perceived to be influenced by the experience and confidence of the referrer and the local resource available to meet palliative care needs directly. Conclusions Complexity was hard to detail or to objectively define on referral documentation alone. It appeared to be a term used to describe patients whom primary or secondary care providers felt needed SPC knowledge or support to meet their needs. Hospices need to provide greater clarity regarding who should be referred, when and for what purpose. Education and training in palliative care for primary care nurses and doctors and hospital clinicians could reduce the need for referral and help ensure that hospices are available to those most in need of SPC input.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 342-351
Author(s):  
Panita Krongyuth ◽  
Pimpan Silpasuwan ◽  
Chukiat Viwatwongkasem ◽  
Cathy Campbell

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the needs of people with cancer in advanced stages and to analyze factors that influence them. Design/methodology/approach A concurrent mixed-method design was used. Descriptive design was conducted in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Data were collected from a convenience sample of patients with advanced cancer of any tissue or organ. Questionnaires were completed by 110 patients aged 60 years and above (response rate 110/130=84.6 percent). In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of eight patients. Content analysis of semi-structured interviews of a sub-sample was subsequently performed to better understand the real needs of patients with advanced stages of cancer at home setting. Findings The majority (77.5 percent) reported a preference to spend their final days at home. The four most common palliative care needs were more information about disease and medical treatment (98.2 percent), more treatment for pain (97.3 percent), health education for family caregivers (95.5 percent) and health volunteers visit at home (95.5 percent). Content analysis of the qualitative data suggested that patient needs health care providers to deliver open communication, pain management and provide psychosocial supports. Originality/value The result showed that patients-related variables are associated with the palliative care needs in patients with advanced stages of cancer. Communication skills and pain management are the key components to support the need for palliative care at home and to benefit the quality of life in terminally ill patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Lim Shiang Cheng ◽  
Jens Aagaard-Hansen ◽  
Feisul Idzwan Mustapha ◽  
Ulla Bjerre-Christensen

Introduction: Studies from many parts of the world have explored factors associated with poor diabetes self-management including Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME). Research Methodology: This study was conducted among 162 diabetes patients at primary healthcare clinics in Malaysia using semi-structured exit-interviews to explore their perceptions, attitudes and practices in relation to self-care and encounters with primary health care providers. Results and Discussion: Generally, the patients had limited knowledge, lack of motivation and encountered difficulties in diabetes self-management. The DSME was inadequate due to limited time allocated for consultations with doctors, language barriers and the lack of interpersonal and communication skills of HCPs. Conclusion: In view of the positive effects of quality DSME on the health outcomes and quality of life among diabetes patients, it is important for the primary healthcare clinics in Malaysia to strengthen the diabetes services through training in communication of all HCPs, awareness of language difference and task shifting.


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