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Frey R, Balmer D. The challenges for health professionals delivering palliative care in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic: An integrative review. Palliat Support Care 2023:1-13. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
The growing demand for palliative care has been accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, providing community-based palliative care was also more difficult to do safely and faced several challenges. The goal of this integrative review was to identify, describe, and synthesize previous studies on the challenges for health professionals delivering palliative care in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Searches were carried out on the Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social Care Online, PubMed, Embase, and Expanded Academic databases. Journals typically reporting palliative care and community health studies were also searched (Palliative Medicine, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, and Health & Social Care in the Community). All articles were peer-reviewed and published in English between December 2019 and September 2022.
Results
Database and hand searches identified 1231 articles. After duplicates were removed and the exclusion criteria applied, 27 articles were included in the final review. Themes in the research findings centered on 6 interconnected categories. The challenges imposed by the pandemic (lack of resources, communication difficulties, access to education and training, and interprofessional coordination), as well as the varying levels of success of the health-care responses, impacted the well-being of health professionals and, in turn, the well-being and care of patients and families.
Significance of results
The pandemic has provided the impetus for rethinking flexible and innovative approaches to overcome the challenges of delivering community palliative care. However, existing governmental and organizational policies require revision to improve communication and effective interprofessional collaboration, and additional resources are needed. A blended model of virtual and in-person palliative care delivery may provide the best solution to community palliative care delivery moving forward.
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Walshe C, Roberts D, Calman L, Appleton L, Croft R, Perez Algorta G, Skevington S, Lloyd-Williams M, Grande G. Peer Mentors for People with Advanced Cancer: Lessons Learnt from Recruiting and Training Peer Mentors for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2021; 36:710-718. [PMID: 31994006 PMCID: PMC8328854 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-020-01692-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Peer mentors may offer distinctive forms of support to people with advanced cancer. Whilst peer mentor programmes are known, little is understood about recruiting and training peer mentors to support those with advanced cancer. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of recruiting and training peer mentors for a novel peer mentor intervention to promote well-being in people with advanced cancer. Feasibility study testing proactive introduction to a trained peer mentor for 12 weeks in the context of a randomized controlled two-arm trial and nested qualitative process evaluation was used. Peer mentors have/had cancer, recruited via an open call. Two-day training included a new bespoke module on coping with cancer. Descriptive recruitment and training data were captured, supplemented by qualitative interviews, analysed thematically. Forty-eight people expressed interest, mostly female (69%), with breast cancer (32%), and recruited via social media (49%). Twelve people completed training, with attrition often due to availability or mentors' own health; many had advanced cancer themselves. They wanted to 'give something back', but also formed supportive bonds with fellow mentors. It is feasible to recruit and train people with lived experience of cancer to be peer mentors, but those with particular characteristics may predominate. Broad social media based recruitment may have merit in widening the pool of potential peer mentors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Walshe
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK.
| | - Diane Roberts
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
| | - Lynn Calman
- Macmillan Survivorship Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Southampton University, Southampton, UK
| | - Lynda Appleton
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral, UK
| | | | | | - Suzanne Skevington
- Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
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Saunders R, Seaman K, Graham R, Christiansen A. The effect of volunteers' care and support on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care: A systematic scoping review. J Clin Nurs 2019; 28:4236-4249. [PMID: 31429987 PMCID: PMC7328779 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Aim To examine the available evidence on the effects of care and support provided by volunteers on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care services. Background Acute hospital inpatient populations are becoming older, and this presents the potential for poorer health outcomes. Factors such as chronic health conditions, polypharmacy and cognitive and functional decline are associated with increased risk of health care‐related harm, such as falls, delirium and poor nutrition. To minimise the risk of health care‐related harm, volunteer programmes to support patient care have been established in many hospitals worldwide. Design A systematic scoping review. Methods The review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) (File S1). Nine databases were searched (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect and JBI) using the following key terms: ‘hospital’, ‘volunteer’, ‘sitter’, ‘acute care’, ‘older adults’, ‘confusion’, ‘dementia’ and ‘frail’. The search was limited to papers written in English and published from 2002–2017. Inclusion criteria were studies involving the use of hospital volunteers in the care or support of older adult patients aged ≥ 65 years, or ≥ 50 years for Indigenous peoples, with chronic health conditions, cognitive impairment and/or physical decline or frailty, within the acute inpatient settings. Results Of the 199 articles identified, 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria were critically appraised for quality, and 12 articles were included in the final review. Conclusions There is evidence that the provision of volunteer care and support with eating and drinking, mobilising and therapeutic activities can impact positively upon patient health outcomes related to nutrition, falls and delirium. Further robust research is needed to determine the impact of volunteers in acute care and the specific care activities that can contribute to the best outcomes for older adults. Relevance to clinical practice Volunteers can play a valuable role in supporting care delivery by nurses and other health professionals in acute care services, and their contribution can improve health outcomes for older adults in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Saunders
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia
| | - Karla Seaman
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia
| | - Renée Graham
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia
| | - Angela Christiansen
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia
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Goehner A, Kricheldorff C, Bitzer EM. Trained volunteers to support chronically ill, multimorbid elderly between hospital and domesticity - a systematic review of one-on-one-intervention types, effects, and underlying training concepts. BMC Geriatr 2019; 19:126. [PMID: 31046693 PMCID: PMC6498473 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-019-1130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New approaches are needed to address the challenges of demographic change, staff shortages, and societal change in the care of the elderly. While volunteering has barely been established as a pillar of the welfare state in several countries, legislators and nonprofit or community-based organizations in some countries favor the increased integration of volunteers, as they can rely on many dedicated people. When caring for the multimorbid elderly, the transition from hospital to domesticity involves certain risks. Currently, no systematic knowledge exists on whether and how elderly benefit from volunteer support after a hospital stay. Objectives of this systematic review were to (1) identify evaluated approaches with trained volunteers supporting chronically ill, multimorbid elderly one-on-one at the interface between hospital and domesticity; (2) investigate the patient-related effectiveness of the approaches; (3) present the characteristics of the supporting volunteers; and (4) present the underlying teaching and training concepts for the volunteers. METHODS A systematic search of the following online databases was conducted in April 2017: the Cochrane Library, Medline (PubMed), CINAHL, and PsycINFO (Ebscohost). We included (cluster/quasi-) randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials and single-group pre-post design. An institutional search was conducted on eight national institutions from research and practice in Germany. Screening was conducted by one researcher, risk of bias was assessed. Study authors were contacted for study and training details. RESULTS We identified a total of twelve studies, eight of which evaluated treatment following hospital stay: psychosocial-coordinative support (n = 2), physical-cognitive activation (n = 4), and assistance with medication intake (n = 2). We saw short-term effects with small and medium effect sizes. Most volunteers were women aged between 45 and 61 years. Their training lasted 12-26 h and took place prior to first patient contact. During the intervention, volunteers could rely on permanent supporting structures. CONCLUSIONS Few studies exist that have evaluated one-on-one-volunteer support following hospitalization, and the effects are inconsistent. As such, further, well-designed studies are needed. The suitability and transferability of the interventions in country-specific settings should be examined in feasibility studies. Furthermore, an international discussion on the appropriate theoretical backgrounds of volunteer training is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Goehner
- Center for Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology Freiburg, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Lehener Str. 88, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- University of Education Freiburg, Public Health & Health Education, Kunzenweg 21, 79117 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Kricheldorff
- Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg, Karlstr. 63, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva Maria Bitzer
- University of Education Freiburg, Public Health & Health Education, Kunzenweg 21, 79117 Freiburg, Germany
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Scott K, Beckham SW, Gross M, Pariyo G, Rao KD, Cometto G, Perry HB. What do we know about community-based health worker programs? A systematic review of existing reviews on community health workers. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2018; 16:39. [PMID: 30115074 PMCID: PMC6097220 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-018-0304-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 310] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To synthesize current understanding of how community-based health worker (CHW) programs can best be designed and operated in health systems. METHODS We searched 11 databases for review articles published between 1 January 2005 and 15 June 2017. Review articles on CHWs, defined as non-professional paid or volunteer health workers based in communities, with less than 2 years of training, were included. We assessed the methodological quality of the reviews according to AMSTAR criteria, and we report our findings based on PRISMA standards. FINDINGS We identified 122 reviews (75 systematic reviews, of which 34 are meta-analyses, and 47 non-systematic reviews). Eighty-three of the included reviews were from low- and middle-income countries, 29 were from high-income countries, and 10 were global. CHW programs included in these reviews are diverse in interventions provided, selection and training of CHWs, supervision, remuneration, and integration into the health system. Features that enable positive CHW program outcomes include community embeddedness (whereby community members have a sense of ownership of the program and positive relationships with the CHW), supportive supervision, continuous education, and adequate logistical support and supplies. Effective integration of CHW programs into health systems can bolster program sustainability and credibility, clarify CHW roles, and foster collaboration between CHWs and higher-level health system actors. We found gaps in the review evidence, including on the rights and needs of CHWs, on effective approaches to training and supervision, on CHWs as community change agents, and on the influence of health system decentralization, social accountability, and governance. CONCLUSION Evidence concerning CHW program effectiveness can help policymakers identify a range of options to consider. However, this evidence needs to be contextualized and adapted in different contexts to inform policy and practice. Advancing the evidence base with context-specific elements will be vital to helping these programs achieve their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Scott
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205 United States of America
| | - S. W. Beckham
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, 21205 United States of America
| | - Margaret Gross
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1900 E Monument Street, Baltimore, 21205 United States of America
| | - George Pariyo
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205 United States of America
| | - Krishna D Rao
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205 United States of America
| | - Giorgio Cometto
- Health Workforce Department, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Henry B. Perry
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205 United States of America
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Söderhamn U, Flateland S, Fensli M, Skaar R. To be a trained and supported volunteer in palliative care - a phenomenological study. BMC Palliat Care 2017; 16:18. [PMID: 28288598 PMCID: PMC5348768 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-017-0193-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been found that including volunteers in palliative care is a positive contribution to seriously ill patients. It is, however, recommended that the volunteers are trained and supported. The aim of this study was to describe a group of trained and supported volunteers’ lived experiences as volunteers in palliative care within the community health care services. Methods This study adopted a descriptive phenomenological approach featuring individual interviews with nine volunteers. The interviews were analysed using the descriptive phenomenological research method according to Giorgi. Results Being a volunteer in palliative care was both a positive and meaningful experience. It was a privilege being able to help those in need, which yielded positive returns. As a volunteer, it was important to be present for the ill persons and to follow them in their various physical and psychical states, which also implied that the volunteer had to face and deal with challenging situations. However, volunteers stated it was crucial to possess knowledge and life experience, as well as a clarified role, and they stressed the importance of being followed up by a mentor. Conclusions The findings showed that trained and supported volunteers among seriously ill or dying people within the realm of community health care services play an independent and important role in the palliative care team. A coordinator in palliative care is especially suitable for training and supporting the volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Söderhamn
- Centre for Care Research, Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Campus Grimstad, University of Agder, Post Box 422, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway.
| | - Sylvi Flateland
- Centre for Care Research, Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Campus Grimstad, University of Agder, Post Box 422, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Marthe Fensli
- Centre for Care Research, Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Campus Grimstad, University of Agder, Post Box 422, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Skaar
- Centre for Care Research, Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Campus Grimstad, University of Agder, Post Box 422, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway
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Whittall D, Lee S, O'Connor M. Factors affecting rural volunteering in palliative care - an integrated review. Aust J Rural Health 2016; 24:350-356. [PMID: 27385270 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To review factors shaping volunteering in palliative care in Australian rural communities using Australian and International literature. Identify gaps in the palliative care literature and make recommendations for future research. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Proquest, Scopus, Sage Premier, Wiley online, Ovid, Cochran, Google Scholar, CINAHL and Informit Health Collection. The literature was synthesised and presented in an integrated thematic narrative. Australian Rural communities. While Australia, Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) are leaders in palliative care volunteer research, limited research specifically focuses on volunteers in rural communities with the least occurring in Australia. Several interrelated factors influence rural palliative care provision, in particular an increasingly ageing population which includes an ageing volunteer and health professional workforce. Also current and models of palliative care practice fail to recognise the innumerable variables between and within rural communities such as distance, isolation, lack of privacy, limited health care services and infrastructure, and workforce shortages. These issues impact palliative care provision and are significant for health professionals, volunteers, patients and caregivers. The three key themes of this integrated review include: (i) Geography, ageing rural populations in palliative care practice, (ii) Psychosocial impact of end-end-of life care in rural communities and (iii) Palliative care models of practice and volunteering in rural communities. The invisibility of volunteers in rural palliative care research is a concern in understanding the issues affecting the sustainability of quality palliative care provision in rural communities. Recommendations for future Australian research includes examination of the suitability of current models of palliative care practice in addressing the needs of rural communities; the recruitment, training, ongoing education and support of volunteers in rural palliative care provision to ensure equitable care for all communities in Australia regardless of location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Whittall
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret O'Connor
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Nursing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia
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Rosenberg JP, Mills J, Rumbold B. Putting the ‘public’ into public health: community engagement in palliative and end of life care. PROGRESS IN PALLIATIVE CARE 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/09699260.2015.1103500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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