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Quality of health care

Concerns and potential improvements in end-of-life care from the perspectives of older patients and informal caregivers: a scoping review

Background: Overtreatment in advanced age i.e. aggressive interventions that do not improve survival and are potentially harmful, can impair quality of care near the end of life (EOL). As healthcare provider perspectives on care quality may differ from that of service users, the aim of this study was to explore the views of older patients near EOL or their caregivers about the quality of health care at the EOL based on their lived experience, and to identify healthcare service improvements.

Wed, 08/24/2022 - 11:55

Trends in quality of care and dying perceived by family caregivers of nursing home residents with dementia 2005–2019

Background: Dementia palliative care is increasingly subject of research and practice improvement initiatives. Objectives: To assess any changes over time in the evaluation of quality of care and quality of dying with dementia by family caregivers. Methods: Combined analysis of eight studies with bereaved family caregivers’ evaluations 2005–2019.

Tue, 08/23/2022 - 15:00

Good Quality Care for Cancer Patients Dying in Hospitals, but Information Needs Unmet: Bereaved Relatives' Survey within Seven Countries

Background: Recognized disparities in quality of end‐of‐life care exist. Our aim was to assess the quality of care for patients dying from cancer, as perceived by bereaved relatives, within hospitals in seven European and South American countries. Materials and Methods: A postbereavement survey was conducted by post, interview, or via tablet in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, U.K., Germany, Norway, and Poland.

Wed, 06/01/2022 - 18:37

Quality of patient, family, caregiver and public engagement in decision-making in healthcare systems: a scoping review protocol

Introduction: To advance person- and family-centred healthcare, government initiatives have supported the engagement of patients and family caregivers in decision-making in healthcare systems. There is, however, no consensus on how to define success for such initiatives. This scoping review aims to identify the key elements for defining the quality of patient and family caregiver engagement in decision-making across the engagement domains (individual, community/organisation, system) of British Columbia's healthcare system.

Mon, 02/03/2020 - 10:29

Outcomes of social care for adults: developing a preference-weighted measure

The aim of this study was to develop a measure of social care outcome, an equivalent to the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in health, which could be used in a range of circumstances.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

The COPE index -- a first stage assessment of negative impact, positive value and quality of support of caregiving in informal carers of older people

Data was collected in five countries from informal carers of older people ( n = 577) via a common protocol. Carers completed: (1) a 17-item version of the Carers of Older People in Europe (COPE) Index, an assessment of carers' perceptions of their role : (2) a questionnaire on demographic and caregiving circumstances : and (3) three instruments included for the criterion validation of the COPE Index (the General Health Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF).

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:15

Caregiver Bereavement Outcome: Relationship With Hospice at Home, Satisfaction With Care, and Home Death

This study used a randomized controlled trial design to investigate the impact of hospice at home (HAH) on caregiver bereavement outcome. Secondary analyses considered the association between bereavement, place of death, and carers' assessment of support. Ninety-six informal carers of patients referred to HAH were surveyed six weeks post-bereavement about the quality of terminal care. Carers next completed measures of their own bereavement response and general health six months post-bereavement. There was no evidence that HAH had an impact on bereavement outcome.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:12

Patient and carer perspectives: a man with inoperable lung cancer

Patient and family perspectives are vital in conceptualising quality of life in the dying (1). The principles of a 'good death' have been established (2,3), and multidimensional frameworks exist for understanding and evaluating end-of-life care (4). However, care often falls short of the ideal, or is offered late. To examine why, we set out to understand the holistic needs of 40 patients dying from lung cancer or cardiac failure and their carers, and to explore to what degree these needs were identified and addressed by service providers (5).

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:11

Working with ambivalence: informal caregivers of patients at the end of life

Informal caregivers of patients at the end of life perform a crucial role in maintaining and supporting patients at home. They provide a high level of demanding care, and as a consequence have been shown to have high-level information and support needs themselves. However, they are less often identified as recipients of services than as providers, and little research has addressed how services should be developed to meet their needs. This study aimed to address obstacles in the access to and provision of targeted, appropriate interventions.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

Systematic review of respite care in the frail elderly

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of breaks in care in improving the well-being of informal carers of frail and disabled older people living in the community and to identify carer needs and barriers to uptake of respite services.

Data sources: Major electronic databases were searched from the earliest possible date to April 2008.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:09