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Cuchet I, Dambrun M, Bedhomme S, Savanovitch C, Roussel HV, Maneval A. The roles of French community pharmacists in palliative home care. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:79. [PMID: 38519944 PMCID: PMC10960433 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01406-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization identifies pharmacists as a key resource in palliative care. However, the roles of these professionals in end-of-life care at home remain poorly understood, and community pharmacists themselves sometimes struggle to recognize their true role in this care. The aim of our study was to analyze community pharmacists' representations of their roles in palliative care at home in France. METHODS The methodology was qualitative and based on semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists (n = 26). The analysis of the interviews was carried out using a qualitative content approach with thematic and lexical analysis. RESULTS Three main elements of the community pharmacist's role were identified: drug expertise, care management, and psychosocial support for patients and their families. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights a wide variety of roles adopted by French community pharmacists in palliative care at home. Some of these roles, which are in line with WHO recommendations on palliative care, have been little described to date. These roles of community pharmacists in home-based palliative care could be better recognized, and the players better integrated into end-of-life care systems at home, in order to improve such care. TRIAL REGISTRATION This work was carried out within the framework of a call for projects from the Fondation de France and has received the approval of the University Clermont Auvergne Research Ethics Committee (no. IRB00011540-2021-60).
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Cuchet
- Laboratory of Social and Cognitive Psychology (LAPSCO) (LAPSCO), UMR CNRS 6024, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, 63000, France.
- UR ACCePPT, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, 63000, France.
| | - Michael Dambrun
- Laboratory of Social and Cognitive Psychology (LAPSCO) (LAPSCO), UMR CNRS 6024, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, 63000, France
| | - Sabrina Bedhomme
- UR ACCePPT, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, 63000, France
| | | | | | - Axelle Maneval
- UR ACCePPT, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, 63000, France
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Palliative Care Unit, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Cotton A, Sayers J, Green H, Magann L, Paulik O, Sikhosana N, Fernandez R, Foster J. Older persons' perceptions and experiences of community palliative care: a systematic review of qualitative evidence. JBI Evid Synth 2024; 22:234-272. [PMID: 37930393 PMCID: PMC10871598 DOI: 10.11124/jbies-22-00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to critically appraise and synthesize qualitative evidence of older persons' perceptions and experiences of community palliative care. INTRODUCTION Palliative care focuses on the relief of symptoms and suffering at the end of life and is needed by approximately 56.8 million people globally each year. An increase in aging populations coupled with the desire to die at home highlights the growing demand for community palliative care. This review provides an understanding of the unique experiences and perceptions of older adults receiving community palliative care. INCLUSION CRITERIA This review appraised qualitative studies examining the perceptions and experiences of older adults (65 years or older) receiving community palliative care. Eligible research designs included, but were not limited to, ethnography, grounded theory, and phenomenology. METHODS A search of the literature across CINAHL (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid SP), Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus databases was undertaken in July 2021 and updated November 1, 2022. Included studies were published in English between 2000 and 2022. The search for unpublished studies included ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Study selection, quality appraisal, and data extraction were performed by 2 independent reviewers. Findings from the included studies were pooled using the JBI meta-aggregation method. RESULTS Nine qualitative studies involving 98 participants were included in this review. A total of 100 findings were extracted and grouped into 14 categories. Four synthesized findings evolved from these categories: i) Older persons receiving palliative care in the community recognize that their life is changed and come to terms with their situation, redefining what is normal, appreciating life lived, and celebrating the life they still have by living one day at a time; ii) Older persons receiving palliative care in the community experience isolation and loneliness exacerbated by their detachment and withdrawal from and by others; iii) Older persons receiving palliative care in the community face major challenges managing prevailing symptoms, medication management difficulties, and costs of medical care and equipment; and iv) Older persons want to receive palliative care and to die at home; however, this requires both informal and formal supports, including continuity of care, good communication, and positive relationships with health care providers. CONCLUSIONS Experiences and perceptions of community palliative care vary among older adults. These are influenced by the individual's expectations and needs, available services, and cost. Older adults' input into decision-making about their care is fundamental to their needs being met and is contingent on effective communication between the patient, family, and staff across services. Policy that advocates for trained palliative care staff to provide care is necessary to optimize care outcomes, while collaboration between staff and services is critical to enabling holistic care, managing symptoms, and providing compassionate care and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette Cotton
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The New South Wales Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: A JBI Affiliated Group, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Jan Sayers
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Heidi Green
- School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Transformative Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research: A JBI Affiliated Group, The University of Newcastle, Gosford, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Nqobile Sikhosana
- The New South Wales Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: A JBI Affiliated Group, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ritin Fernandez
- Centre for Transformative Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research: A JBI Affiliated Group, The University of Newcastle, Gosford, NSW, Australia
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Jann Foster
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The New South Wales Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: A JBI Affiliated Group, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Ingham Research Institute, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
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Wu CY, Wu YH, Chang YH, Tsay MS, Chen HC, Kuo YL, Hsieh HY. From comfort zone to front-line care: perspectives and reflections of community pharmacists entering home-based palliative care. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:4. [PMID: 38166860 PMCID: PMC10763136 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01332-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care requires a multidisciplinary team to assist patients and their families to obtain good quality care at the end of life. Typically, community pharmacists have fewer opportunities to provide services for patients with palliative care needs than hospital pharmacists. Moreover, home-based palliative care (HBPC) by pharmacists remains low and there is a lack of research regarding HBPC provided by pharmacists. Therefore, this study sought to understand the views and reflections of community pharmacists in the clinical frontline providing palliative home services. METHODS Purposive sampling was used to recruit six community pharmacists for one-on-one, in-depth, semi-structured interviews and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Five major themes emerged: [1] Engagement, [2] Challenge, [3] Mission, [4] Career metamorphosis, and [5] Outlook. The pharmacists described how they engaged in HBPC and faced the challenges. They regarded opioid management as a burden. Moreover, some mentioned that reimbursement for palliative home care is low or non-profitable. They suggested building a platform to exchange advice and legislation adjustments so that they could pass on their experiences to less experienced pharmacists in HBPC. CONCLUSIONS The involvement of pharmacists is crucial to provide better palliative care. Although the present study was small and might not fully represent the whole situation, the findings could still inform future education, training, and policy planning to promote pharmacists' participation in palliative care to generalise community palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yi Wu
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Doctoral Degree Program of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Wu
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hui Chang
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Min-Shiow Tsay
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Cheng Chen
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ya Hsieh
- Department of Specialist Nurse and Surgical Nurse Practitioner Office, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No.100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung City, 80708, Taiwan.
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Batten M, Koerner J, Kosari S, Naunton M, Lewis J, Strickland K. Assessing implementation fidelity of an on-site pharmacist intervention within Australian residential aged care facilities: A mixed methods study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1166. [PMID: 37891564 PMCID: PMC10604517 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10172-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An on-site pharmacist (OSP) intervention was implemented which sought to improve medication management within residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. The objectives of this mixed methods study were to evaluate the implementation fidelity of the OSP intervention and to determine the moderating factors which influenced delivery of this intervention. METHODS This convergent parallel mixed methods study was underpinned by Hasson's conceptual framework for implementation fidelity. Implementation fidelity for seven intervention RACFs was quantitatively assessed using three quantitative data sets: (1) range of OSP intervention activities delivered; (2) random sample of 10% of medication reviews assessed for quality; (3) proportion of residents who received at least one medication review. Semi-structured interviews (n = 14) with managers and OSPs across the intervention RACFs were conducted to identify moderating factors which may have influenced OSP intervention delivery. RESULTS The OSP intervention was generally delivered as intended with overall medium levels of implementation fidelity. This delivery was supported by a range of facilitation strategies with most participants perceiving that the intervention was delivered to a high standard. RACF managers and OSPs were mostly well engaged and responsive. A number of potential barriers (including the part-time OSP role, COVID-19 pandemic, RACFs spread out over a large area with significant distance between resident dwellings) and facilitators (including the pharmacist support meetings, OSPs who took time to establish relationships, RACF managers who actively supported OSPs and worked with them) for OSP intervention delivery were identified which have potential implications for the roll out of OSPs within Australian RACFs. CONCLUSION In this study, the implementation fidelity of OSP intervention delivery was assessed with overall medium levels of fidelity found across the intervention RACFs. This suggested that the OSP intervention can generally be delivered as intended in real world RACFs. OSP intervention delivery was influenced by a range of moderating factors, some of which posed barriers and others which facilitated the OSP intervention being delivered as intended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Batten
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia.
| | - Jane Koerner
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
| | - Sam Kosari
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
| | - Mark Naunton
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
| | - Joanne Lewis
- School of Nursing and Health, Avondale University, Wahroonga, NSW, 2076, Australia
| | - Karen Strickland
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6207, Australia
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Nature and perceived benefits of patient-initiated consultations in community pharmacies: A population survey. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2022; 8:100194. [PMID: 36311824 PMCID: PMC9615028 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of community pharmacists in enhancing patient care has received increased attention. However, there is a paucity of literature on the nature, frequency, and perceived impacts of patient-initiated consultations in community pharmacies. Objectives We aim to describe the profile of patients seeking advice from community pharmacists as well as the nature and impact of those consultations. Methods A survey was conducted with Quebec adults who had consulted a pharmacist in the previous four weeks. Data was collected in 2017 and 1104 agreed to participate (25.3%). Of those, 93 were withdrawn due to incomplete data and 98 failed to meet the inclusion criteria. Sample representativeness was ensured by quota sampling (gender, age) after stratification by region. Results Among the 913 respondents, 46% had consulted a pharmacist more than once during the four weeks prior to the survey. Individuals with a university degree consulted less often than those without (1.97 vs. 2.17 times; t = 2.0; p < .05) and participants with one or several chronic diseases consulted more frequently than those having no chronic disease (2.18 vs. 1.94 times; t = 5.7; p < .05). Older adults (55+) consulted more often for themselves compared to younger (18–34) and middle-aged (35–54) adults (1.53 vs. 1.31 vs. 1.44 times; F = 4.0; p < .05). Concerning the consultations, 58% were related to medications and 33% to health problems. In terms of impacts, 81% of consultations were perceived to have prevented the use of other healthcare resources. Patient satisfaction with their consultations was high with an average score of 8.75 on a 10-point scale (SD = 1.63). Conclusions Findings reveal that the reasons for consulting a community pharmacist are diverse, most being related to medications or health issues. Patients reported that pharmacists were able to manage most consultations without referring them to other health care resources or professionals, and their satisfaction with their consultation was high. MeSH terms Community pharmacy; counselling; patient satisfaction; primary health care; surveys and questionnaires.
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van Gaans D, Erny-Albrecht K, Tieman J. Palliative Care Within the Primary Health Care Setting in Australia: A Scoping Review. Public Health Rev 2022; 43:1604856. [PMID: 36148429 PMCID: PMC9485459 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2022.1604856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This scoping review identifies and details the scope of practice of health professionals who provide palliative care within the primary health setting in Australia.Methods: A scoping review approach was conducted on the Cinahl (Ebsco), Scopus, Medline (Ovid) and PubMed databases to extract articles from 1 December 2015 to 1 December 2020. Broad text words and MeSH headings were used with relevance to palliative care, general practice, primary health, and community setting. Extracted journal articles were limited to those based on the Australian population or Australian health system.Results: Eighty-four papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The review identified the following health professional roles within the Primary Health Care setting undertaking palliative care: General Practitioner, Nurse, Pharmacist, Paramedics, Carers, and Allied Health professionals.Conclusion: This review offers a first understanding of the individual health professional roles and multidisciplinary team approach to actively providing palliative care within the Primary Health Care setting in Australia.
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Tait P, Chakraborty A, Jones K, Tieman J. What Is the Community Pharmacists' Role in Supporting Older Australians with Palliative Care Needs? Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9050489. [PMID: 33919247 PMCID: PMC8143164 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9050489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
As the population ages, the number of older populations globally requiring palliative care is rapidly growing, requiring services of multidisciplinary teams—including community pharmacists. The aim of this study is to describe the community pharmacists’ perceived role in providing services to community dwelling older Australians receiving palliative care. Utilising an eight-domain End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) care model, a national cross-sectional questionnaire was designed and undertaken online with Australian community pharmacists. Respondents were asked questions relating to socio-demographic characteristics, practice characteristics, and scope of services provided. Of the 62 pharmacists who responded to the questionnaire, 51 were included in the final data analysis and reporting. Pharmacists working in dispensing roles made up about half of the respondents, while the remainder worked in settings such as general practice, residential aged care, or providing medication review services. Pharmacists can identify patients with indicators of poor life expectancy and mostly work with older Australians daily. Dispensing and non-dispensing pharmacists offer a range of services that complement each other. Organisations caring for the aged should consider the role of the pharmacist, in caring for people with palliative care needs, along with their carers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Tait
- Southern Adelaide Palliative Services, Flinders Medical Centre, SA Health, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; (A.C.); (K.J.); (J.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Amal Chakraborty
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; (A.C.); (K.J.); (J.T.)
| | - Kelly Jones
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; (A.C.); (K.J.); (J.T.)
| | - Jennifer Tieman
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; (A.C.); (K.J.); (J.T.)
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