Evaluation of Palliative Care Services Provided to Cancer Patients in the Gaza Strip

Hamad, Bassam Abu; Skaik, Na’el; Abu‐Odah, Hammoda

doi:10.17265/1548-6648/2016.02.006

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Although Palestine has also designed comprehensive national cancer control programmes, gaps have been reported in the cancer control strategy [ 44 ]. These gaps are mainly related to financial constraints, poor administrative coordination, shortages in human healthcare resources, and an inadequate workforce, which affect the development of PC services [ 45 ]. The Gaza context plays a role in determining the priorities of the MOH in terms of the services that they provide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gathering policymakers’ perspectives as an essential step in planning and implementing palliative care services at a national level: an example from a resource-limited country

2022

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Background Despite increasing recognition of the role played by palliative care (PC) services, the priorities of policymakers in supporting PC remain unclear and have sometimes engendered controversy. There are few studies exploring policymakers’ perspectives towards PC services, with most shedding light on obstacles to PC development. Furthermore, no study has explored policymakers’ perspectives towards providing PC at the national level in resource-limited countries. This study provides a platform for providing PC as part of the Palestinian healthcare system (HCS) by exploring policymakers’ perspectives on PC, an essential step to developing a PC programme. Methods A descriptive qualitative study design was employed using semi-structured interviews. Participants were those identified as responsible for making executive and legislative decisions about health services (including PC) in the HCS. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Twelve decision and policymakers participated in the study. Four categories were generated from the content analysis: (1) the nature of current PC healthcare services, (2) the potential benefits of PC, (3) challenges to providing PC, and (4) considerations in providing PC. The current PC services provided to Palestinian patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families are not comprehensive, and are limited to symptom management. There is a Palestinian national strategic plan for developing PC; however, the development goals are not clearly defined, and the plan’s capabilities are inadequate. Several challenges to the provision of PC were found to relate to issues of education and training, the allocation of funding, and the availability of medications. Conclusions Integrating PC into the Palestinian university curricula as a compulsory course and establishing higher degree programmes in PC to overcome the shortage of PC specialists is required. Developing policies aligned with national laws could help enhance health services to patients and their families and resolve several challenges. Cooperating with national and international institutions in seeking funding could boost PC development and medication availability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gathering policymakers’ perspectives as an essential step in planning and implementing palliative care services at a national level: an example from a resource-limited country

2022

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“…Although previous studies corresponded to what this study has reported, the prevalence of physical and emotional/psychological distress is still very high in Palestinian patients. This can be attributed to the unavailability of psychological care in the PC services offered within the Gazan healthcare system [ 25 ]. A shortage of cancer healthcare experts in the Gaza Strip [ 27 ] and insufficient knowledge and training in the delivery of comprehensive care on the part of healthcare professionals might be another explanation for the high prevalence of physical and emotional/psychological symptoms uncovered in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These beliefs and norms help patients cope and accept illness and die in peace [ 24 ]. Financial resources in Gaza are scarce, poverty levels are high, financial and administrative coordination are poor, and healthcare resources are in short supply [ 25 ]. Cancer currently ranks as the major cause of morbidity and mortality after heart disease and cerebrovascular disease [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the unmet needs of Palestinian advanced cancer patients and their relationship to emotional distress: results from a cross-sectional study

2022

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Background Although several studies assessing the needs of advanced cancer patients have been conducted globally, most have focused on a specific type of cancer such as lung or breast cancer. The variation across studies has also created difficulties in generalizing the results and applying the findings in other countries. The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive information on the needs of Palestinian advanced cancer patients. The quality of life (QOL), distress levels, depression, anxiety, and spiritual well-being of the patients were also assessed. Methods A hospital-based study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on a convenience sample of patients aged 18 or above who had been diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. The unmet needs of the patients were assessed using the Short form of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34). Four instruments were utilized to examine their distress, anxiety, depression, QOL, and spirituality. A modified Supportive Care Framework was adopted to guide the design of this study. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear regression were utilized to analyse the data. Results Of the 404 cancer patients invited to the study, 379 patients consented to participate and complete the questionnaire. Of them 96.8% stated that they had at least one ‘moderate to high’ level unmet need. The most frequent unmet needs were those in the physical aspects of daily living (Mean 58.94; SD ± 20.93) and psychological (Mean 58.84; SD ± 19.49) domains. Most of the patients (91%) were physically ill and reported experiencing physical symptoms. About 78.1% had a high level of distress. Almost 90% reported signs of depression and anxiety. Although they felt that their spiritual well-being was good, their QOL was poor. Hierarchical linear regression analyses confirmed that educational level, age, gender, marital status, cancer stage, cancer type, physical symptoms, depression, anxiety, distress, QOL, and spirituality were independently associated with unmet supportive care needs. Conclusion Palestinian advanced cancer patients exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of unmet needs than those in other countries, indicating a need to develop a palliative care programme within the healthcare system. They have a great need for physical, emotional/psychosocial, self-management and other services, which should be made available to them, particularly in the routine delivery of cancer care.

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“…38 Adult cancer patients are the larger group of patients with life-limiting illnesses, often experiencing a wide range of symptoms that impact their needs. 39 More attention to cancer was further observed after 2014. This might be attributed to countries' response to WHO's call on implementing polices to ensure the development of PC services within countries' healthcare system, as cancer is often the focus of countries when developing their PC services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global palliative care research (2002-2020): bibliometric review and mapping analysis

Abu‐Odah

Molassiotis

Liu

2021

BMJ Support Palliat Care

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Background and objectiveDespite the important benefits of a bibliometric approach on mapping a research field, relatively little efforts have previously been conducted to map and analyse the global trends of palliative care (PC)-related research. This bibliometric review aimed to provide an overall picture and systematic mapping of the state of research trends within the field of PC internationally.MethodsScopus and Web of Science databases were searched to retrieve original articles focusing on PC between 2002 and 2020. Searching was conducted on 5 May 2020, and was updated on 6 May 2021. All retrieved articles were assessed by title and abstract, and the bibliometric metadata of those that met the inclusion criteria were downloaded for analysis. The results were analysed by VOSviewer and Gephi software.ResultsA total of 19,199 articles met the inclusion criteria. Significant growth of the number of published articles was reported by around five-fold from 2002 to 2020. The USA and UK were the most productive countries in terms of the number of papers published and citations. Weak collaborations were observed between low-income or middle-income countries and high-income countries. Cancer-related PC research was the most common focus. Seven clusters of research were identified and included heart failure and cancer prognosis, nursing home, pain and symptoms management, PC knowledge and attitudes, quality improvement of services, PC ethics, and the ongoing assessment of PC services.ConclusionsThere is a need to expand PC-related research to non-cancer diseases. More international research and cross-institutional cooperation is required to address more global PC issues and benefit from wider sharing of expertees, potentially leading to higher quality or more impactful studies. Setting up research agendas and priorities from funding bodies and institutions may also enhance cooperation among researchers.

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Evaluation of Palliative Care Services Provided to Cancer Patients in the Gaza Strip

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

Gathering policymakers’ perspectives as an essential step in planning and implementing palliative care services at a national level: an example from a resource-limited country

Gathering policymakers’ perspectives as an essential step in planning and implementing palliative care services at a national level: an example from a resource-limited country

Analysis of the unmet needs of Palestinian advanced cancer patients and their relationship to emotional distress: results from a cross-sectional study

Global palliative care research (2002-2020): bibliometric review and mapping analysis

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