Turner, Nicola, Wahid, Aysha, Oliver, Phillip, Gardiner, Clare, Chapman, Helen, Khan (ppi Co-author), Dena, Boyd, Kirsty, Dale, Jeremy, Barclay, Stephen, Mayland, Catriona R 
ORCID: 0000-0002-1440-9953 et al (show 1 more authors)
(2023)
Role and response of primary healthcare services in community end-of-life care during COVID-19: Qualitative study and recommendations for primary palliative care delivery.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE, 37 (2).
pp. 235-243.
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Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>The need for end-of-life care in the community increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary care services, including general practitioners and community nurses, had a critical role in providing such care, rapidly changing their working practices to meet demand. Little is known about primary care responses to a major change in place of care towards the end of life, or the implications for future end-of-life care services.<h4>Aim</h4>To gather general practitioner and community nurse perspectives on factors that facilitated community end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to use this to develop recommendations to improve future delivery of end-of-life care.<h4>Design</h4>Qualitative interview study with thematic analysis, followed by refinement of themes and recommendations in consultation with an expert advisory group.<h4>Participants</h4>General practitioners (<i>n</i> = 8) and community nurses (<i>n</i> = 17) working in primary care in the UK.<h4>Results</h4>General practitioner and community nurse perspectives on factors critical to sustaining community end-of-life care were identified under three themes: (1) <i>partnership working</i> is key, (2) <i>care planning</i> for end-of-life needs improvement, and (3) importance of the <i>physical presence</i> of primary care professionals. Drawing on participants' experiences and behaviour change theory, recommendations are proposed to improve end-of-life care in primary care.<h4>Conclusions</h4>To sustain and embed positive change, an increased policy focus on primary care in end-of-life care is required. Targeted interventions developed during COVID-19, including online team meetings and education, new prescribing systems and unified guidance, could increase capacity and capability of the primary care workforce to deliver community end-of-life care.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Palliative care, terminal care, COVID-19, primary health care, general practice, primary care nursing, qualitative research |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 18 May 2023 14:51 |
| Last Modified: | 18 May 2023 14:51 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/02692163221140435 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3170513 |
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