Abstract
Background: The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP)
is a multi-professional document that provides
an evidence-based framework for the delivery of
care during the dying phase. Originally
developed to transfer best practice from
Specialist Palliative Care into the acute sector,
the document was then introduced into the
Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool in 1997. A focus
group study amongst nursing staff recently
undertaken in the acute sector identified the
usefulness of the LCP in the delivery of care in
the dying phase. However, no work has yet been
undertaken around the perspectives of hospice
staff. Aim(s): To explore doctors’ and nurses’
perceptions of using the LCP within the hospice
setting. Method(s): A purposive sample of 10
nurses and 5 doctors who had worked at the
hospice for at least 6 months was selected. This
was designed to represent staff working at
various grades within the organisation.
Individual interviews (audiotaped and
transcribed) lasting between 30 mins and one
hour were undertaken. A semi-structured topic
guide was used to enable the identification of
salient themes Results A total of 12 interviews
were undertaken (9 nurses, 3 doctors). The LCP
was generally regarded by both groups as a
useful and important document for the delivery
of consistent and appropriate care to dying
patients and their carers. Its usefulness as a
teaching tool for new/inexperienced staff was
also highlighted. Perceptions of hospice staff
and staff from the acute sector differed in subtle
ways. Conclusions: The pathway was generally
regarded favourably by both doctors and nurses
in this sample.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
| Event | 9th Congress for the European Association for Palliative Care - Aachen, Germany Duration: 8 Apr 2005 → 10 Apr 2005 |
Conference
| Conference | 9th Congress for the European Association for Palliative Care |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Aachen |
| Period | 8/04/05 → 10/04/05 |