The following is a summary of “Palliative Care Physicians’ Perceptions of Conditions Required to Provide Early Palliative Care,” published in the August 2023 issue of Pain and Symptom Management by Quan et al.
Early palliative care (EPC) is highly advocated in the medical field, although its execution can present specific difficulties. Researchers performed a qualitative analysis of the perspectives of Canadian palliative care physicians regarding the prerequisites for delivering EPC (End-of-Life Palliative Care). A survey evaluating attitudes and opinions regarding EPC (End-of-Life Palliative Care) was disseminated to physicians providing primary or specialized palliative care, as recognized by the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians. The survey encompassed an elective concluding section for participants’ overall remarks. Researchers assessed these for pertinence to research objectives and performed a thematic analysis of pertinent comments.
Of the 531 completed surveys, 129 (24%) participants provided written comments. Among these respondents, 104 mentioned specific medical conditions they believed were essential for receiving EPC (Emergency Patient Care). Four key medical themes were identified: Clear demarcation of responsibilities between primary and specialized medical practitioners in the field of palliative care—every physician should be empowered to deliver primary palliative care, while specialists should provide supplementary assistance; Collaborative care with referral based on individual needs—immediate and specialized palliative care physicians should work together, with referrals to specialized palliative care being determined by the patient’s specific requirements rather than their prognosis;
Sufficient resources to support primary palliative care—education, financial incentives, and collaboration with interdisciplinary team members such as nurses and specialized providers were mentioned explicitly as necessary provisions. Dispelling the misconception that palliative care solely pertains to end-of-life care—there was a particular emphasis on educating both healthcare providers and the general public. Modifications are imperative at the palliative care referral systems, healthcare professionals, resources, and policy to facilitate the implementation of EPC (End-of-Life Care).
Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S088539242300458X
