1. Integration of primary care and palliative care services to improve equality and equity at the end-of-life: Findings from realist stakeholder workshops.
- Author
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Mitchell S, Turner N, Fryer K, Aunger J, Beng J, Couchman E, Leach I, Bayly J, Gardiner C, Sleeman KE, and Evans CJ
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Female, Healthcare Disparities, Health Services Accessibility, Middle Aged, Adult, Delivery of Health Care, Integrated organization & administration, Palliative Care organization & administration, Primary Health Care organization & administration, Terminal Care organization & administration
- Abstract
Background: Inequalities in access to palliative and end of life care are longstanding. Integration of primary and palliative care has the potential to improve equity in the community. Evidence to inform integration is scarce as research that considers integration of primary care and palliative care services is rare., Aim: To address the questions: 'how can inequalities in access to community palliative and end of life care be improved through the integration of primary and palliative care, and what are the benefits?', Design: A theory-driven realist inquiry with two stakeholder workshops to explore how, when and why inequalities can be improved through integration. Realist analysis leading to explanatory context(c)-mechanism(m)-outcome(o) configurations(c) (CMOCs)., Findings: A total of 27 participants attended online workshops (July and September 2022): patient and public members ( n = 6), commissioners ( n = 2), primary care ( n = 5) and specialist palliative care professionals ( n = 14). Most were White British ( n = 22), other ethnicities were Asian ( n = 3), Black African ( n = 1) and British mixed race ( n = 1). Power imbalances and racism hinder people from ethnic minority backgrounds accessing current services. Shared commitment to addressing these across palliative care and primary care is required in integrated partnerships. Partnership functioning depends on trusted relationships and effective communication, enabled by co-location and record sharing. Positive patient experiences provide affirmation for the multi-disciplinary team, grow confidence and drive improvements., Conclusions: Integration to address inequalities needs recognition of current barriers. Integration grounded in trust, faith and confidence can lead to a cycle of positive patient, carer and professional experience. Prioritising inequalities as whole system concern is required for future service delivery and research., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: SM is the National Clinical Director for Palliative and End of Life Care, NHS England. There are no financial conflicts of interest to declare. No other authors have any conflicts of interest.
- Published
- 2024
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