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Primary care services received during terminal illness.
International Journal of Palliative Nursing
|November 7, 2002
Summary
People with terminal illnesses at home need better access to palliative care services. Caregivers reported insufficient information and support, highlighting gaps in current service provision.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Home Healthcare
- Oncology Nursing
Background:
- Guidelines for effective palliative care exist, but access for terminally ill patients at home is unclear.
- Cancer patients predominantly utilize palliative care services, raising concerns for non-cancer populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences and views of terminally ill patients, their lay carers, and bereaved carers regarding primary palliative care services.
- To identify helpful and unhelpful aspects of service provision for patients and caregivers.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study conducted in the United Kingdom.
- Involved interviews with terminally ill patients (n=15), lay carers (n=10), and bereaved carers (n=19).
- Explored received primary care services and satisfaction with provision.
Main Results:
- Primary care contact was mainly with district nurses, general practitioners, and Macmillan nurses.
- Limited access to other palliative care services was reported.
- Lay carers frequently lacked essential information and support for caregiving.
Conclusions:
- Significant gaps exist in the provision of comprehensive palliative care services for terminally ill patients at home.
- Improved support and information for lay carers are crucial for effective home-based palliative care.
- Further research is needed to address palliative care access for non-cancer patients.