scholarly journals Understanding the role of the volunteer in specialist palliative care: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Burbeck ◽  
Bridget Candy ◽  
Joe Low ◽  
Rebecca Rees
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Specialist Palliative Care ◽  
Thematic Synthesis

scholarly journals Experiences of Self-Monitoring in Self-Directed Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance: Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Hartmann-Boyce ◽  
Anne-Marie Boylan ◽  
Susan A. Jebb ◽  
Paul Aveyard
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Weight Loss Maintenance ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Thematic Synthesis ◽  
The Impact

The experience and role of self-monitoring in self-directed weight loss attempts may be distinctly different from that within formal interventions, and has yet to be fully explored. We systematically reviewed qualitative studies to examine experiences of self-monitoring as an aid to self-directed weight loss. Thematic synthesis was used to construct descriptive and analytical themes from the available data. In all, 22 studies (681 participants) were included, in which the uses of self-monitoring ranged from an aid to increase adherence to a tool for facilitating analysis. Self-monitoring also influenced and was influenced by self-perception and emotions. Feelings of shame were linked with abandonment of efforts. Findings highlight the centrality of interpretation of self-monitored data, the implications this interpretation has on sense of self, and the impact of broader discourses. Explicitly framing self-monitoring as a positive tool with which to aid analysis may encourage helpful use of this technique.

scholarly journals Aromatherapy, massage and reflexology: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of the perspectives from people with palliative care needs

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 757-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Armstrong ◽  
Kate Flemming ◽  
Nuriye Kupeli ◽  
Patrick Stone ◽  
Susie Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Thematic Synthesis

Background: Effectiveness evidence of complementary therapies in people with advanced disease is uncertain, and yet people are still keen to engage in complementary therapy. Insights into people’s experiences of complementary therapy in palliative care, the perceived benefits, and how they want it delivered, can inform clinical guidelines and suggest ways to test therapies more appropriately in future evaluations. Aims: Explore in people with advanced disease (1) the experiences and perceptions of benefits and harms of aromatherapy, massage, and reflexology and (2) how they would like these therapies delivered. Design: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Database search terms were related to palliative care, aromatherapy, reflexology and massage. Citations and full texts were reviewed independently against predefined inclusion criteria. Studies were appraised for quality. This review is registered at PROSPERO (22/11/2017 CRD42017081409). Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, KoreaMed and ProQuest with a bibliography search to June 2018. Results: Five qualitative studies in advanced cancer were identified. Three analytical themes were identified: (1) Experience during the therapy (enhanced well-being and escapism), (2) beyond the complementary therapy session (lasting benefits and overall evaluation), and (3) delivery of complementary therapy in palliative care (value of the therapist and delivery of the complementary therapy). Conclusions: People with advanced cancer experience benefits from aromatherapy, reflexology and massage including enhanced well-being, respite, and escapism from their disease. Complementary therapy interventions should be developed in consultation with the target population to ensure they are delivered and evaluated, where feasible, as they wish.

Palliative care volunteer roles in Nordic countries: qualitative studies—systematic review and thematic synthesis

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2021-003330
Author(s):  
Karen Marie Sangild Stoelen ◽  
Mette Raunkiaer ◽  
Kirstine Winther ◽  
Maria Vilhelm Grubert ◽  
Benjamin Olivares Bøgeskov
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Next Of Kin ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Thematic Synthesis ◽  
Domain 3

BackgroundGiven limited palliative care resources, volunteers can be viewed as essential. To better understand the contribution of volunteers, it is useful to look at their roles in care systems with high level of financed public welfare, such as those found in Nordic countries.AimTo develop research-based knowledge of experiences related to volunteer roles in palliative care in Nordic countries with similar welfare systems.DesignSystematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.Data sourcesCinahl, APA PsycInfo, SocINDEX, Idunn, Cristin, SwePub, SweMed+, Doria and Danish Research Database from 2005 to 2020.Eligibility criteriaQualitative peer-reviewed studies reporting first-hand experience of volunteers in palliative care in hospital, community (homecare and nursing home) and hospice settings (hospice institution and hospice home care); English abstract and available full text.ResultsOf 1521 citations, 11 articles were included in the review: seven Norwegian articles, three Swedish articles and one Danish article. Three overall themes emerged from analysis: (1) volunteers offered something different than professionals, (2) volunteering took place in professionals’ domain, (3) volunteers were motivated by personal gains.ConclusionVolunteers provide valuable support to patients and next of kin that differs from professionals’ support. Volunteers are motivated by direct interaction with patients and next of kin. Opportunities for interactions depend on the healthcare setting and professionals’ understandings of volunteers’ role. Formal training of volunteers is limited and supportive available professionals important to volunteers. Professionals’ understandings of volunteers’ role should be improved to strengthen volunteers’ role in palliative care in Nordic countries.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020222695.

Healthcare providers’ views and experiences of non-specialist palliative care in hospitals: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 605-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Nevin ◽  
Geralyn Hynes ◽  
Valerie Smith
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Specialist Palliative Care ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Thematic Synthesis ◽  
Qualitative Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care Needs

Background: Healthcare providers working in hospitals are frequently exposed to patients with palliative care needs. For most patients, these reflect non-specialist rather than specialist palliative care needs. Embedding palliative care principles early in patients’ disease trajectories within acute care delivery in hospitals, however, is a challenge. How to best understand the experiences of those providing non-specialist palliative care in hospitals has not been systematically assessed. Aim: To synthesise the evidence on healthcare providers’ views and experiences of non-specialist palliative care in hospitals. Design: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis using Thomas and Harden’s thematic synthesis framework. Data sources: Databases of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and EMBASE were searched from date of inception to March 2018. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported on healthcare providers’ views and experiences of non-specialist palliative care in hospitals. Studies were appraised for quality but not excluded on that basis. The review was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Results: Thirty-nine papers of 37 studies were included, representing 985 hospital healthcare providers’ views and experiences. Four major analytical themes emerged; ‘Understanding of Palliative Care’, ‘Complexities of Communication’, ‘Hospital Ecosystem’ and ‘Doctors and Nurses – a Different Lens’. Conclusions: Non-specialist palliative care in hospitals is operationalised as care in the last weeks and days of life. The organisation of acute care, inter-disciplinary working practices, clinician attitudes, poor communication structures and lack of education and training in palliative care principles exacerbates poor implementation of this care earlier for patients in hospitals.

scholarly journals SAT0643-HPR NURSE-LED CARE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PEOPLE WITH EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A QUALITATIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1280.2-1281
Author(s):  
A. M. T. Sweeney ◽  
C. Mccabe ◽  
C. Flurey ◽  
J. Robson ◽  
A. Berry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Nurse Specialist ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Thematic Synthesis ◽  
Early Ra ◽  
Qualitative Systematic Review

Background:Nurse-led care has been shown to be clinically effective and cost effective in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but the role of the nurse in early RA is not well defined. Evidence for processes of care in RA is limited and it is not known how well rheumatology nurse-led clinics meet care needs of people with early RA.Objectives:The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of rheumatology nurse-led care from the perspective of people with early RA.Methods:A qualitative systematic review was conducted. The review protocol is published in the International prospective register of systematic reviews.In March 2019, the following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and OpenGrey. Due to lack of studies in early RA this review included adults with early and established inflammatory arthritis, qualitative studies with data on patients’ perspectives of nurse-led care, published in peer-reviewed journals in English between 2010 and 2019. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and full texts. Data were extracted and managed in tables. Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used for quality assessment of the included studies. A thematic synthesis was undertaken using the framework of Thomas and Harden.1Results:The search identified 1034 records. After screening and assessing for eligibility, 8 qualitative studies were included in the review (133 patients), 2 studies included people with early RA. Three main themes were identified (Figure 1).Figure 1.Themes of nurse-led care from the perspective of people with RAProviding knowledge and skill. This theme delineated rheumatology nursing as providing professional expertise in the planning and delivery of care. The rheumatology nurse-led service included easy access via telephone helpline, consultations with the clinical nurse specialist for assessment of disease activity and care needs, planning of care, disease information and education, supporting self-management, and referral to rheumatologist and the multi-disciplinary team. People with RA highly valued the nurse expertise and specialist knowledge provided at nurse-led clinics.‘She was very good at informing me, so I have only praise for this ... because I have never had it like this before’. (Person with early RA).Using a person-centred approach.This theme showed nurse-led care using a person-centred approach combined with empathy and good communication skills, which created a good therapeutic environment. People with RA appreciated the person-centeredness, empathy and involvement of the nurse. ‘She is very sensitive. She can see if I am feeling bad and comes straight to me and asks: “How are you today?” ...You are treated and taken seriously’. (Person with early RA).Meeting patients‘ care needs. This theme presented nurse-led care as creating a sense of being empowered and psychologically supported in the management of RA and its impact. Nurse-led care made people with RA feel cared for, secure and confident. It added value to rheumatology care and made care complete.‘The thought of sticking a needle into my own stomach... it felt a bit like I would never manage to do that. However, they have been absolutely wonderful here ... and now I can do it myself’. (Person with early RA).Conclusion:Nurse-led care for people with RA is characterised by provision of rheumatology expertise using a person-centred approach, and patients‘ holistic care needs are being met. This study found a dearth of literature on perceptions of nurse-led care in people with early RA, which highlights the need for further research in this population.References:[1]Thomas J, Harden A. Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews.BMC Med Res Methodol2008; 8: 45.Disclosure of Interests:Anne-Marie Tetsche Sweeney: None declared, Candy McCabe: None declared, Caroline Flurey: None declared, Joanna Robson: None declared, Alice Berry: None declared, Pamela Richards: None declared, Mwidimi Ndosi Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Consultant of: Janssen, Pfizer

scholarly journals Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Connolly ◽  
Mary Ryder ◽  
Kate Frazer ◽  
Eileen Furlong ◽  
Teresa Plazo Escribano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Acute Hospital ◽  
Nurse Specialist ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Specialist Palliative Care ◽  
Clinical Nurse ◽  
Acute Hospital Setting

Abstract Background Special palliative care is provided in a range of settings including a patient’s home (their primary place of dwelling), a hospice in-patient unit, or an acute hospital. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the specialist in palliative care clinical nurse specialist (SPC CNS) role in an acute hospital setting. Methods This study was conducted using a mixed methods sequential explanatory approach in two phases; phase 1 involved completion of a study questionnaire (n = 121) and phase 2 involved part-taking in a focus group (n = 6) or individual interview (n = 4). Results Phase 1 results indicated that respondents held positive attitudes towards the Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Nurses Specialist (SPC CNS) in relation to clinical care, education and patient advocacy. Phase 2 qualitative findings identified the importance of the role in terms of symptom management, education and support. Conclusions This study provides an evaluation of a SPC CNS role since it was established in an acute hospital setting. The evidence indicates that there is a varied understanding of the role of the SPC CNS. The role was seen as an important one particularly in terms of referrals to and support provided by the SPC CNS, as well as recognition of the importance of the role is providing ongoing education to staff.

scholarly journals Specialist palliative care services for older people in primary care: A systematic review using narrative synthesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim de Nooijer ◽  
Yolanda WH Penders ◽  
Lara Pivodic ◽  
Nele J Van Den Noortgate ◽  
Peter Pype ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Specialist Palliative Care ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Specialist Services ◽  
Palliative Care Services

Background: There is recognition that older people with incurable conditions should have access to specialist palliative care services. However, it remains unclear which activities and outcomes these services entail for older people in primary care and to which patients they are provided. Aim: The aim of this review was to identify the criteria for referral to specialist services; who provides specialist palliative care; through which activities and with which frequency; which outcomes are reported; and which suggestions are made to improve services. Design: Systematic review of the literature and narrative synthesis. Quality appraisal and selection of studies were performed independently by two researchers. Participant characteristics, intervention features, outcome data and suggestions for improvement were retrieved. Data sources: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and CINAHL EBSCO databases (until June 2019). Results: Ten eligible articles, three qualitative, three quantitative, three mixed-method and one narrative review, were identified. Referral criteria were mainly based on patient characteristics such as diagnosis. The specialist services involved a variety of activities and outcomes and descriptions were often lacking. Services could be improved regarding the information flow between healthcare professionals, greater in-depth palliative care knowledge for case managers and social workers, identification of a key worker and support for family carers. Conclusion: The limited evidence available shows areas for improvement of the quality of and access to specialist services for older people, such as support for family carers. In addition, this review underscores the need for comprehensive reporting of interventions and the use of consensus-based outcome measures.

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