Challenges of Integrated Home-Based Palliative Care Services for Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Overview

Journal Home Health Care Manag Pract

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Health Services

Date 2024 Apr 11

PMID 38603240

Authors

Zahra Alizadeh

Camelia Rohani

Maryam Rassouli

Mahnaz Ilkhani

Maryam Hazrati

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Given the situation of cancer patients as vulnerable patients and the threat of COVID-19 in the society, integration of home-based palliative care services into the healthcare system is essential. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the current barriers of integration of palliative care services from hospital to home for cancer patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic and to provide suggestions to resolve them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 stakeholders in the healthcare system, including health policy makers, healthcare providers, clinical home healthcare experts, home healthcare researchers, university faculty members, clergy, family caregivers, and cancer patients. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis method based on the World Health Organization Public Health Strategy for Palliative Care. Challenges were extracted in 4 main categories, containing education barriers (3 subcategories), implementation barriers (9 subcategories), policy barriers (5 subcategories), and drug availability barriers (2 subcategories). Based on the results, removing the barriers and establishing a strong infrastructure for home-based palliative care services is recommended in the healthcare system by concentrating on 4 essential factors, that is, utilizing a coordinating nurse during the process of patient's hospital discharge, establishment of connecting outpatient palliative care clinics to home healthcare centers, access to palliative care tele-medicine and development of a comprehensive and flexible home-based palliative cancer care model in our context.

Citing Articles

Bridging the gap and developing a home-based palliative care model for cancer patients.

Alizadeh Z, Rohani C, Rassouli M, Ilkhani M, Hazrati M Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2024; 11(11):100583.

PMID: 39655227 PMC: 11626808. DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2024.100583.

Engaging with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities to Promote Palliative Care That Exceeds Expectation.

Dadich A, Crawford G, Laintoll P, Zangre I, Dahal K, Albrezi D Health Expect. 2024; 27(6):e70089.

PMID: 39494853 PMC: 11533138. DOI: 10.1111/hex.70089.

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