Early identification of palliative care needs: patient views
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding patient views and experiences of the IDENTIfication of PALLiative care needs: a qualitative investigation (IDENTI-PALL)\n
IRAS ID
305374
Contact name
Sarah Mitchell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
More and more people are living with multiple, long-term health conditions. This can make it difficult for clinicians to predict when someone is approaching the end of life. \n\nThe World Health Organisation defines palliative care as an approach that improves quality of life for those with life-threatening illness. Palliative care aims to prevent and relieve suffering through early identification, assessment and treatment of pain and other problems. Early identification of palliative care needs can help to ensure patients have time to be involved in decisions about their care. \n\nThere is growing evidence to support clinicians’ use of screening tools to identify patients who could benefit from palliative care. At least ten palliative care screening tools have been developed for use in primary care, but a recent systematic review concluded that these tools are limited in their ability to identify patients with advanced serious illness who could benefit from palliative care in the primary care setting. None of the studies provided insights into the process of identification of palliative care needs from a patient perspective. This study aims to address that important gap in the evidence. \n \nThis study aims to increase understanding of the experiences of patients with advanced, serious illness, who have been identified as having palliative care needs. We will conduct qualitative interviews with 10-12 adults with advanced serious illness who have been identified as ‘palliative’ and/or are receiving specialist palliative care. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed prior to thematic analysis. Data will be coded, and codes grouped into overarching themes. Emerging themes will be considered in the context of palliative care provision from the clinical team, local services, and wider healthcare system. The research will highlight what receiving this diagnostic label means to individuals and their families, and any benefits they perceive. \t
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
21/NS/0157
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion