Content of UK palliative care day services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Recorded content of UK palliative care day services: a three-centre \nstudy of service provision
IRAS ID
173794
Contact name
George Kernohan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Due to the growing number of people living with cancer and other chronic illness, there is an increased demand for supportive and palliative care. Over recent years there has been a trend towards providing palliative care in the community, including as a day service. Evidence suggests that palliative care day services (PCDS) have a positive influence across the four domains of palliative care identified by the World Health Organisation (physical, social, psychological and spiritual). There is also some evidence that attending PCDS results in fewer referrals to more expensive health services.\n\nDespite the rapid growth of PCDS there is limited evidence concerning the organisation and content of services in the UK. We aim to address this knowledge gap by investigating service provision at three PCDS sites in the UK (Belfast, Edinburgh and West Midlands). We plan to examine both structure (how the service is organised) and process (what care is delivered) to inform our thinking and provide a foundation for further research and development.\n\nWe will undertake two related activities. Firstly, a mapping exercise will collect comprehensive information on the structure, as well as some information on the process, of PCDS. This will involve extracting data from relevant documents and patient records. Second, in order to understand the local-level context of PCDS, focus groups with key health care providers and managers will be held.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0944
Date of REC Opinion
1 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion