Abstract
Background: The Liverpool Care of the Dying Pathway (LCP) was
developed to transfer the hospice model of care into other care
settings. It is a multiprofessional document providing an evidence-
based framework for the dying phase. Widely used in hospitals it
has now been adopted for use in hospices.
Method: A qualitative study exploring hospice doctors’ and
nurses’ perceptions of the impact of the LCP using semistructured interviews of a purposive sample were undertaken
in a 30 bed hospice in the north-west of England. Data was
thematically analysed for emerging themes.
Results and Discussion: Eleven interviews were undertaken
(eight nurses, three doctors). The results suggest that despite
some initial scepticism the LCP has a valuable place in the
hospice setting according to the doctors and nurses sampled.
Alongside the potential for use in audit and research, perceived
benefits include improving documentation, promoting continuity
of care and enhancing communication and the care of relatives.
Maintaining ongoing education and feedback on the use of the
document were highlighted as important mechanisms for ensuring
that the delivery of care remained optimum
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 414-421 |
Journal | International Journal of Palliative Nursing, |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 9 |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2006 |