David C Currow1, Amy P Abernethy, Belinda S Fazekas. 1. Department of Palliative and Supportive Services, Division of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide and Southern Adelaide Palliative Services, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia, Australia. david.currow@rgh.sa.gov.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Defining whether people with life-limiting illnesses (PLLI) who do not access specialized palliative care services (SPCS) have unmet needs is crucial in planning and evaluating palliative care. This study seeks to establish the viability of a whole-of-population method to help characterize SPCS access through proxy report. METHODS: Questions were included in a piloted annual face-to-face health survey of 3027 randomly selected South Australians on the need for, uptake rate of, and satisfaction with SPCS in 2000. The survey was representative of the cross-section of South Australians by age, gender, socioeconomic status and region. RESULTS: One in three people surveyed (1069) indicated that someone 'close to them' had died of a terminal illness in the preceding five years. Of those who identified that a palliative service had not been used (38%, 403), reasons cited included family/friends provided the care (34%, 136) and the service was not wanted (21%, 86). Respondents with income > AU dollars 60000 per year were more likely to report that a SPCS had been used (P = 0.01). People who had cancer as their life-limiting illness were more likely to access SPCS (P < 0.001). The results generate a model comparing SPCS utilization with client benefit. The survey was acceptable to interviewees. DISCUSSION: Uptake rates of SPCS in this survey are consistent with other South Australian whole population estimates of SPCS utilization. Although there are limitations in this survey approach and the questions asked, this method can be developed to improve our understanding of the characteristics and needs of PLLI and their carers.
BACKGROUND: Defining whether people with life-limiting illnesses (PLLI) who do not access specialized palliative care services (SPCS) have unmet needs is crucial in planning and evaluating palliative care. This study seeks to establish the viability of a whole-of-population method to help characterize SPCS access through proxy report. METHODS: Questions were included in a piloted annual face-to-face health survey of 3027 randomly selected South Australians on the need for, uptake rate of, and satisfaction with SPCS in 2000. The survey was representative of the cross-section of South Australians by age, gender, socioeconomic status and region. RESULTS: One in three people surveyed (1069) indicated that someone 'close to them' had died of a terminal illness in the preceding five years. Of those who identified that a palliative service had not been used (38%, 403), reasons cited included family/friends provided the care (34%, 136) and the service was not wanted (21%, 86). Respondents with income > AU dollars 60000 per year were more likely to report that a SPCS had been used (P = 0.01). People who had cancer as their life-limiting illness were more likely to access SPCS (P < 0.001). The results generate a model comparing SPCS utilization with client benefit. The survey was acceptable to interviewees. DISCUSSION: Uptake rates of SPCS in this survey are consistent with other South Australian whole population estimates of SPCS utilization. Although there are limitations in this survey approach and the questions asked, this method can be developed to improve our understanding of the characteristics and needs of PLLI and their carers.
Authors: Arif H Kamal; Janet Bull; Dio Kavalieratos; Donald H Taylor; William Downey; Amy P Abernethy Journal: J Oncol Pract Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 3.840
Authors: Claire Johnson; Afaf Girgis; Chris Paul; David C Currow; Jon Adams; Sanchia Aranda Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2010-02-16 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Amy Waller; Afaf Girgis; Claire Johnson; Geoff Mitchell; Patsy Yates; Linda Kristjanson; Martin Tattersall; Christophe Lecathelinais; David Sibbritt; Brian Kelly; Emma Gorton; David Currow Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2010-01-11 Impact factor: 3.234
Authors: David C Currow; Alicia M Ward; John L Plummer; Eduardo Bruera; Amy P Abernethy Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2008-03-12 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: David C Currow; Morag Farquhar; Alicia M Ward; Gregory B Crawford; Amy P Abernethy Journal: BMC Pulm Med Date: 2011-11-25 Impact factor: 3.317
Authors: David C Currow; Samuel Allingham; Sonia Bird; Patsy Yates; Joanne Lewis; James Dawber; Kathy Eagar Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2012-11-23 Impact factor: 2.655