Multi-faceted palliative care intervention: Aged care nurses’ and care assistants’ perceptions and experiences
Publication Details
Phillips, J. L., Davidson, P. M., Jackson, D., & Kristjanson, L. J. (2008). Multi-faceted palliative care intervention: Aged care nurses’ and care assistants’ perceptions and experiences. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(2), 216-227. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04600.x
Abstract
Aim: This paper is a report of a study to describe residential aged care nurses’ and care assistants’ perceptions of a multi-faceted palliative care intervention to identify potential areas to be addressed during subsequent action research phases.
Background: Action research was used to enhance the delivery of a palliative approach in residential aged care. The chronic care model guided the development of a multi-faceted intervention. This involved the: (1) establishment of a ‘link nurse’ role; (2) learning and development strategies for nurses, care assistants and general practitioners; (3) use of multi-disciplinary team meetings; and (4) access to specialist consultation.
Method: A purposive sample ( n = 28) of aged care nurses and care assistants participated in a series of four focus groups conducted in July 2005. Thematic content analysis of the transcripts was performed.
Findings: Four themes emerged: (1) targeted education can make a difference; (2) a team approach is valued; (3) clinical assessment tools are helpful; and (4) using the right language is essential. Participants described increased understanding of palliative care concepts, enhanced competencies, greater confidence to deliver palliative care and a desire to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to care planning.
Conclusion: Sustaining a culture that is committed to ongoing learning and development interventions and creating multi-disciplinary teams in the aged care setting is critical to embedding a palliative approach. The chronic care model is a useful framework to guide the development of interventions leading to better palliative care outcomes for residents and their families.
Keywords
peer-reviewed, action research, chronic care, focus groups, gerontology, nurses’ experiences, palliative care
