Abstract
Background: It is reported that cancer patients want as much information as
possible about their diagnosis and prognosis. This input regarding patient’s
insight into their disease is undoubtedly a major part of providing optimal
palliative care. Despite this there is little information regarding the impact of
hospital based palliative care teams. The aim of this study was to assess the
effect of the hospital palliative care team on cancer patient’s insight to their
disease.
Methodology: An evaluation study comprising a non-equivalent control
group design, using a quota sample, investigated 100 cancer patients
admitted to hospital for symptom control. 50 patients received hospital
palliative care team intervention compared with 50 patients receiving
traditional care. Outcome was assessed using the PACA assessment tool on 3
occasions (within 24 hours of admission/diagnosis or referral to the team,
day 4 and day 7) measuring the patients self reported understanding of their
illness. Additionally a qualitative approach including 31 semi-structured
interviews with doctors and nurses to explore their perception of the
palliative care team impact on cancer patients insight it their disease was
undertaken.
Results and discussion: The results indicated that cancer patients admitted
to hospital for symptom control demonstrated an improvement in their
insight to their diagnosis (PB/0.01). Those patients who had the additional
input of the palliative care team had a greater improvement in their insight
scores (between initial and final assessments) from 3.98 to 2.02 (mean score),
compared to the standard care group that displayed an improvement from
4.86 to 4.26. This input was reported by the doctors and nurses as being
invaluable for the patients. Potential explanations are made for these results
including enhanced communication skills of the palliative care team are
explored.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2004 |
Event | Palliative Care Congress - University of Warwick, United Kingdom Duration: 17 Mar 2004 → 19 Mar 2004 |
Conference
Conference | Palliative Care Congress |
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Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
Period | 17/03/04 → 19/03/04 |