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Evaluating palliative care: facilitating reflexive dialogues about an ambiguous concept
1Institute for Health Care Policy and Management, Erasmus University, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. abma@bmg.eur.nl
Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy
|January 5, 2002
Summary
This study explores the ambiguous concept of palliative care using a responsive evaluation approach. It highlights how this method can foster dialogue among patients, caregivers, and professionals for better integral care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare evaluation
- Palliative care research
Background:
- Palliative care, integral care for non-recoverable illnesses, lacks a clear definition.
- Ambiguity in palliative care necessitates refined evaluation methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of a responsive evaluation approach.
- To facilitate a reflexive dialogue on the concept of palliative care.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a case study of a palliative care project in the Netherlands.
- Employed a responsive evaluation framework, addressing interpretative, representational, and practical dilemmas.
- Presented dialogues between health professionals, informal caregivers, patients, and evaluators through stories and conversations.
Main Results:
- Dialogues revealed diverse perspectives on palliative care.
- The responsive approach facilitated understanding of complex patient and caregiver needs.
- Identified learning experiences and challenges in evaluating palliative care.
Conclusions:
- A responsive evaluation approach is appropriate for exploring ambiguous concepts like palliative care.
- This methodology can enhance understanding and improve the delivery of integral palliative care.
- Further research should focus on refining responsive evaluation in complex healthcare settings.