The outcomes of palliative care day services: A systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the evidence underpinning the provision of palliative day care services (PDS) to determine whether such services have a measurable effect on attendees' wellbeing. The majority of studies reviewed were qualitative and elicited individual perceptions of the benefits PDS. Although it was difficult to determine the quality of many studies, it would appear that attendance at PDS had a positive impact on attendees' quality of life. Fewer studies utilized validated outcome measures to determine the effect of PDS on attendees' wellbeing and small sample sizes combined with high attrition rates influenced the significance of some the results. However little quantitative evidence was offered to prove that PDS had an impact on attendees' quality of life or wellbeing. The review concludes that dying people find attending PDS a valuable experience that allows them to engage with others and to be supported in a restorative environment. However, further well-powered empirical studies are required to provide quality evidence to determine whether or not attendance at PDS does indeed have a positive impact on the wellbeing of attendees.

‘I am closer to this place’—Space, place and notions of home in lived experiences of hospice day care

“…In the UK, the 282 palliative day care facilities are diverse, broad and complex in scope and philosophy (Stevens, et al, 2011). Typically, hospice day care provides a facilitative environment for people with terminal or life limiting illnesses and their families.…”

“…Although day care services are the fastest growing of a wide range of palliative care services, they are also the least researched Hearn, 2001, Spencer andDaniels, 1998) and still remain somewhat confusing entities to many patients and health professionals Hearn, 2001, Littlewood andJohnson, 2006). A more complete understanding of what they provide and how they contribute to the holistic care of patients is needed (Stevens, et al, 2011).…”

Family caregivers’ perceptions of an Irish palliative day-care unit: A qualitative descriptive study

“…The introduction of meaning based therapeutic approaches could strengthen the patient and caregivers' spiritual resources enabling them to overcome the fear of experiencing and expressing grief [31,36]. There is a need for an understanding of the kind of support palliative day-care provides [37] and creates the focus of this study.…”

Implementing Outcome Measures Within an Enhanced Palliative Care Day Care Model

“…[4] Quantitative studies evaluating patient outcomes in SPDC units are scarce in the literature. [12] Patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) have increasingly been used in palliative care, both in research and routinely in healthcare settings. [12][13][14] A recent systematic review found evidence that capture and feedback of patient centred outome measures improves symptom recognition and favourably impacts on care processes.…”

“…[12] Patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) have increasingly been used in palliative care, both in research and routinely in healthcare settings. [12][13][14] A recent systematic review found evidence that capture and feedback of patient centred outome measures improves symptom recognition and favourably impacts on care processes. [15] To date there are no published articles on the routine use of PROMS in the SPDC setting.…”