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. 2021 Jul-Aug;69(4):626-631.
doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2020.12.011. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Development and protocol for a nurse-led telephonic palliative care program

Audrey J Tan  1 , Rebecca Yamarik  2 , Abraham A Brody  3 , Frank R Chung  4 , Corita Grudzen  5 ; EMPallA Telephonic Working Group
Affiliations

Development and protocol for a nurse-led telephonic palliative care program

Audrey J Tan et al. Nurs Outlook. 2021 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a profound transformation of health care delivery toward telemedicine models.

Purpose: We present the structure of a nurse-led telephonic palliative program and operational metrics to influence further development of tele-palliative programs.

Methods: The nurses engage with seriously ill patients for 6 months with the goal of discussing advance care planning (ACP) and addressing self-identified issues related to their illness.

Findings: Of the first 100 program graduates, 78% were actively engaged and 51% named a health care agent and/or engaged in ACP. Of the 18 patients who died during the study, 13 (72%) were enrolled in hospice services.

Discussion: Our preliminary results indicate that seriously ill patients are willing to engage with nurses and to participate with discussions on ACP.

Conclusion: Given the gaps in health care exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this innovative program serves as an important model for bringing palliative care directly to patients.

Keywords: End of life care; Hospice care; Palliative care; Program development; Telehealth.

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