Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2016
ReviewWhat are the views of hospital-based generalist palliative care professionals on what facilitates or hinders collaboration with in-patient specialist palliative care teams? A systematically constructed narrative synthesis.
Hospital-based specialist palliative care services are common, yet existing evidence of inpatient generalist providers' perceptions of collaborating with hospital-based specialist palliative care teams has never been systematically assessed. ⋯ Fuller integration of specialist palliative care services, timely sharing of information and mutual respect increase generalists' perceptions of effective collaboration. Further research is needed regarding the experiences of non-physician and non-nursing professionals as their views were either not included or not explicitly reported.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2016
Patients' experiences of a new integrated breathlessness support service for patients with refractory breathlessness: Results of a postal survey.
We developed a new single point of access to integrated palliative care, respiratory medicine and physiotherapy: the breathlessness support service for patients with advanced disease and refractory breathlessness. This study aimed to describe patients' experiences of the service and identify the aspects valued. ⋯ Patients' satisfaction with the breathlessness support service was high, and identified as important to this was a combination of personalised care, nature of staff, education and empowerment, and use of specific interventions. These components would be important in any future breathlessness service.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2016
Development of a model for integrated care at the end of life in advanced dementia: A whole systems UK-wide approach.
The prevalence of dementia is rising worldwide and many people will die with the disease. Symptoms towards the end of life may be inadequately managed and informal and professional carers poorly supported. There are few evidence-based interventions to improve end-of-life care in advanced dementia. ⋯ Use of in-depth data, consensus methods and theoretical understanding of the intervention components produced an evidence-based intervention for further testing in end-of-life care in advanced dementia.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2016
Introducing a model incorporating early integration of specialist palliative care: A qualitative research study of staff's perspectives.
Palliative care has evolved to encompass early integration, with evaluation of patient and organisational outcomes. However, little is known of staff's experiences and adaptations when change occurs within palliative care services. ⋯ Services introducing and researching innovative models of palliative care need to ensure adequate preparation, maintenance of holistic care principles in faster work-paced contexts and assist staff dealing with demands associated with caring for patients at different stages of illness trajectories.