1. Barriers and benefits of model development for integration of palliative care for cancer patients in a developing country: A qualitative study.
- Author
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Ndiok, Akon and Ncama, Busisiwe
- Subjects
ONCOLOGY nursing ,CULTURE ,EVALUATION of medical care ,FOCUS groups ,NURSE administrators ,NURSING specialties ,RESEARCH methodology ,ATTITUDE (Psychology) ,HEALTH facility administration ,TERTIARY care ,INTERVIEWING ,MEDICAL personnel ,QUALITATIVE research ,INTEGRATED health care delivery ,HOSPICE nurses ,JUDGMENT sampling ,THEMATIC analysis ,PATIENT compliance - Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to identify barriers and benefits in establishing a model for integration of palliative care of cancer patients in daily clinical practice in tertiary health institutions. Methods: This was a qualitative design study using in‐depth interviews with four stakeholders and focus group discussions with 19 nurse managers using purposive sampling to select the participants, utilizing interpretive paradigm method. Need was ascertained for a model that would guide nursing care for cancer patients. Results: Barriers identified in relation to integrating palliative care in daily clinical practice included lack of hospital policies about palliative care activities, cultural influences, denial or rejection of diagnosis by patients, inappropriate attitude of health care workers, patients failing to keep check‐up appointments and financial implications of setting up a dedicated palliative care team. Benefits of the model were twofold: hospital outcomes and patients/family outcomes. Conclusions: Quality care for cancer patients/families calls for the adoption of clearly set out principles of palliative care as an integral component of daily practice. Challenges to implementation of palliative care services in hospitals can be overcome by establishing workable policies and allocating adequate funds for palliative care activities. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? There is high incidence rate of cancer globally and Nigeria is not an exception.Diagnosis of cancer brings about fear and psychological distress to patients and their families.There is absence of health policy in Nigeria on prevention, control or even care of conditions such as cancer. What this paper adds? Barriers to adapting a palliative care model can be overcome by instituting policies, guidelines and palliative care teams to monitor all patients diagnosed with cancer.General positive attitude of health care professional towards cancer patients and families.Barriers to palliative care model implementation can be overcome by proper follow‐up of patients on first diagnosis. The implications of this paper: Hospital management can develop and implement interventions based on patients identified needs.Nurses should be properly trained on palliative care principles.There should be medium of educating patients and families after diagnosis of cancer to avoid negative cultural influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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