Faculty Collaboration Database

Health Professionals Perceived Concerns and Challenges in Providing Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Qualitative Analysis. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2019 Apr;36(4):308-315

Date

11/23/2018

Pubmed ID

30463415

DOI

10.1177/1049909118812193

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85059638900 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: The Institute of Medicine identifies that quality palliative/end-of-life (EOL) care should be provided to patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses and their families by competently prepared health professionals.

PURPOSE:: This study assessed perceived concerns of health professionals pertaining to the delivery of palliative/EOL care in the hospital setting. The specific aim was to determine thematic concerns in the delivery of palliative/EOL care which emerged from respondents' impressions of a memorable palliative/EOL patient experience.

METHODS:: Interdisciplinary health professionals at a large academic health system in the Midwest were surveyed to reflect upon a memorable palliative/EOL life care patient situation (positive or negative). A Thematic Analysis approach was used to code qualitative responses to 4 open-ended questions and then extract themes and subthemes from the coded data.

RESULTS:: Concerns identified by participants (N = 425) emerged around 7 themes including communication (97%), decision-making/care planning (75%), education needs (60%), EOL care (48%), ethics (24%), satisfaction with care (9%), and spiritual/cultural sensitivity (6%).

CONCLUSION:: Challenges exist in the delivery of quality palliative/EOL care in the hospital setting which may be addressed through educational initiatives that focus on recognition of cultural influences on care preferences, improving communication between patients/families and providers, education about the differences between palliative and EOL care, and increased competency of health providers in having EOL/goals-of-care discussions. Health professionals must recognize the benefit of collaborative palliative care in order to meet patient and family needs holistically and comprehensively.

Author List

Price DM, Strodtman LK, Montagnini M, Smith HM, Ghosh B

Author

Heather M. Smith PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Academic Medical Centers
Adult
Aged
Attitude of Health Personnel
Clinical Competence
Communication
Cultural Competency
Decision Making
Ethics, Clinical
Female
Health Education
Health Personnel
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Palliative Care
Patient Satisfaction
Perception
Qualitative Research
Quality of Health Care
Terminal Care