Specialists' experiences and perspectives on the timing of referral to palliative care: A qualitative study

Broom, A; Kirby, E; Good, P; Wootton, J; Adams, J

Specialists' experiences and perspectives on the timing of referral to palliative care: A qualitative study

Broom, A

Kirby, E Good, P

Wootton, J Adams, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2012, 15 (11), pp. 1248 - 1253
Issue Date:: 2012-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Broom, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1258-1140	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kirby, E	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Good, P https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-0375	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Wootton, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-11-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2012, 15 (11), pp. 1248 - 1253	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1096-6218	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/22491
dc.description.abstract	Background: Specialist referral practices regarding palliative care are variable and their decision-making practices regarding timing and communication remains an under-researched issue. More effective referral practices have been shown to enhance patient and carer experiences at the end of life, reduce the burden on pre-palliative care services, and even extend life expectancy in some cases. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the logics underpinning the timing of referral to palliative care according to a range of medical specialists in a regional center on the east coast of Australia, in order to facilitate improvements in referral practices. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 20 medical specialists and carried out a thematic analysis of the interview data, utilising the framework analysis approach and NVivo 9 software. Key themes were tested for rigour through inter-rater reliability. Results: The major themes identified within this analysis of the interviews were: a) strategies for preparing for palliative care and the importance of planning timely referrals; b) perception of inter-professional variation and reasons for delayed or difficult referrals; and c) the importance of inter-specialty communication and cross-disciplinary dialogue. Conclusions: Significant barriers exist to the timely referral to palliative care, and, in order to improve patient and care quality of life and lessen clinical difficulties, further work is needed to develop streamlined practices that are sensitive to specialty needs and patient desires. © Copyright 2012, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2012.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Palliative Medicine	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1089/jpm.2012.0264	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Gerontology	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Palliative Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interdisciplinary Communication	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Decision Making	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Time Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Quality of Life	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Physician's Practice Patterns	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interviews as Topic	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Specialization	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Preference	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Practice Patterns, Physicians'	en_US
dc.title	Specialists' experiences and perspectives on the timing of referral to palliative care: A qualitative study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	11	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	15	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	11	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	15	en_US

Abstract:

Background: Specialist referral practices regarding palliative care are variable and their decision-making practices regarding timing and communication remains an under-researched issue. More effective referral practices have been shown to enhance patient and carer experiences at the end of life, reduce the burden on pre-palliative care services, and even extend life expectancy in some cases. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the logics underpinning the timing of referral to palliative care according to a range of medical specialists in a regional center on the east coast of Australia, in order to facilitate improvements in referral practices. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 20 medical specialists and carried out a thematic analysis of the interview data, utilising the framework analysis approach and NVivo 9 software. Key themes were tested for rigour through inter-rater reliability. Results: The major themes identified within this analysis of the interviews were: a) strategies for preparing for palliative care and the importance of planning timely referrals; b) perception of inter-professional variation and reasons for delayed or difficult referrals; and c) the importance of inter-specialty communication and cross-disciplinary dialogue. Conclusions: Significant barriers exist to the timely referral to palliative care, and, in order to improve patient and care quality of life and lessen clinical difficulties, further work is needed to develop streamlined practices that are sensitive to specialty needs and patient desires. © Copyright 2012, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2012.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/22491