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. 2020 Jul 16;17(14):5130.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17145130.

Quality of Palliative and End-Of-Life Care in Hong Kong: Perspectives of Healthcare Providers

Eliza Lai-Yi Wong  1 , Nicole Kiang  1 , Roger Yat-Nork Chung  1 , Janice Lau  1 , Patsy Yuen-Kwan Chau  1 , Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong  1 , Jean Woo  2 , Emily Ying-Yang Chan  1 , Eng-Kiong Yeoh  1
Affiliations

Quality of Palliative and End-Of-Life Care in Hong Kong: Perspectives of Healthcare Providers

Eliza Lai-Yi Wong et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: In response to population aging, there is a need for health systems to focus on care for chronic disease, specifically palliative care, while focusing on people-centered care. The objective of this study is to explore the healthcare system enablers and barriers to the provision of quality palliative and end-of-life care from the perspective of healthcare professionals.

Materials and methods: Using purposive sampling, fifteen focus group interviews and nine individual interviews involving 72 healthcare providers were conducted. Primary qualitative data were collected between May 2016 and July 2017. All recorded discussions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed. A thematic framework was developed.

Results: The provision of quality palliative and end-of-life care is influenced by the interaction and integration of nine sub-themes under four identified themes: (1) political context; (2) organization setting; (3) support to patients, caregivers, and family members, and (4) healthcare workers and the public.

Conclusions: Integration of palliative and end-of-life care is an important pillar of healthcare service to improve quality of life by addressing patients' values, wishes and preference, and assist their family to handle challenges at the end stage of life. Further improvements to the service framework would be required, specifically in the political framework, multidisciplinary approach, and readiness and competence in healthcare workers and community. These were highlighted in our study as key components in service provision to ensure that patients can receive continuous and integrated care between hospitals and the community as well as dignified care at the end stage of life.

Keywords: end-of-life; health service; healthcare providers; palliative care; qualitative.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Thematic framework of palliative and end-of-life care service model.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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