Felicity Hasson1, Joanne Jordan2, Laurie McKibben2, Lisa Graham-Wisener3, Anne Finucane4, Kathy Armour5, Shazia Zafar6, Alistair Hewison6, Kevin Brazil7, W George Kernohan2. 1. Ulster University, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland. f.hasson@ulster.ac.uk. 2. Ulster University, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland. 3. School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland. 4. Marie Curie Hospice, Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, EH10 7DR, Scotland. 5. Marie Curie Hospice, Marsh Lane Solihull, West Midlands, B91 2PQ, England. 6. University of Birmingham, Institute of Clinical Sciences, School of Nursing, College of Medical & Dental Services, Birmingham, BT15 2TT, England. 7. School of Nursing and Midwifery Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation, Queens University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Palliative care day services provide a safe environment for people with palliative care needs, enabling them to access a range of services while acting as a respite services for family caregivers. Viewed as marginal services, they are often under resourced and under researched. The aim of this study was to understand how palliative day care services contribute to client care from the perspective of management and hospice multidisciplinary teams. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study, using six focus groups conducted with staff at three United Kingdom hospices in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thirty-five participants were recruited, including management and staff. Discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Four key themes emerged: (1) variations of care, beyond heterogeneity of patients; (2) unclear referrals and inconsistent patient population; (3) recognising strengths and challenges and (4) an uncertain future. A major focus of group discussions was the model of care and the benefits of the service, however the importance of demonstrating services' effectiveness and value for money was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Management and hospice staff believed day-services to be a helpful introduction to palliative care, providing both social and medical support. Economic pressures and patient demand were influencing them to move from a social model to a hybrid model. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of the service.
BACKGROUND: Palliative care day services provide a safe environment for people with palliative care needs, enabling them to access a range of services while acting as a respite services for family caregivers. Viewed as marginal services, they are often under resourced and under researched. The aim of this study was to understand how palliative day care services contribute to client care from the perspective of management and hospice multidisciplinary teams. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study, using six focus groups conducted with staff at three United Kingdom hospices in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thirty-five participants were recruited, including management and staff. Discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Four key themes emerged: (1) variations of care, beyond heterogeneity of patients; (2) unclear referrals and inconsistent patient population; (3) recognising strengths and challenges and (4) an uncertain future. A major focus of group discussions was the model of care and the benefits of the service, however the importance of demonstrating services' effectiveness and value for money was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Management and hospice staff believed day-services to be a helpful introduction to palliative care, providing both social and medical support. Economic pressures and patient demand were influencing them to move from a social model to a hybrid model. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of the service.
Entities:
Keywords:
Day care; Hospice program; Palliative care; Qualitative research