The benefits of interdisciplinary practice in a palliative care setting: A music therapy and physiotherapy pilot project

Source:  Progress in Palliative Care, 19, (6), p.304-308.

Follow this link for abstract.  

Date of publication:  November 2011

Publication type:  article

In a nutshell:  This article discusses a combined music-therapy and physiotherapy project designed to improve symptoms experienced by terminally ill inpatients.  The project used the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI)  prior to the start of the project and again at the end.

With the exception of shortness of breath, results from the ESAS indicated all symptoms on the scale improved as a result of group participation and mobility, as measured by the DEMMI, either maintained or improved.

The overall conclusions are that this project was beneficial for patients with terminal illness and further research is required.

Length of publication:  5 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement:  EMBASE

Piloting the role of a pharmacist in a community palliative care multidisciplinary team: an Australian experience

Source: BMC Palliative Care

Follow this link for the full-text article

Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Home is the most common setting for the provision of palliative care in Australia and a common problem encountered here is the inability of patient/carers to manage medications, which can lead to misadventure and hospitalisation. This can be averted through detection and resolution of drug related problems (DRPs) by a pharmacist; however, they are rarely included as members of the palliative care team. The aim of this study was to pilot a model of care that supports the role of a pharmacist in a community palliative care team. A component of the study was to develop a cost-effective model for continuing the inclusion of a pharmacist within a community palliative care service.

Length of publication: 12 pages

Introducing clinical psychology support into community palliative care.

Source: European J Palliative Care, 2011, 18, (4),p. 195-7

Contact your local NHS library to obtain this article.

Date of publication: July 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell:  This article reviews the role of clinical psychologists in providing psychology support in community palliative care in Tower Hamlets, east London. How the psychology support service was developed and the role played by clinical psychologists in the multidisciplinary team that provides community palliative care is discussed.  

Length of publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: BNI, Cinahl.

Is the integration of services good or bad news for palliative care?

Source: European Journal of Palliative Care vol./is. 18/2(68-71)

Follow this link to the abstract

Date: March 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The concept of integrated services seems more and more appealing in a time of economic downturn. This article discusses some commentators warnings against an unrelenting drive towards integrated services without the evidence showing that they will work for the people that use them. Initiatives currently being piloted and models of integrated care being tested and evaluated are discussed.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: Please conatct your local NHS Library for the text of this article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Building on community assets to improve palliative and end-of-life care.

Source: Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care 2011 7(1):5-13

Date: Jan 2011

Follow this link for the article abstract

Publication Type: Article

Publication Length: 9 pages

In a nutshell: This article  describes the development of a multidisciplinary, interfaith, grassroots community group of professionals and laypersons who have created a replicable model to enhance palliative and end-of-life care provision in Westchester County, New York, resulting in a unique public-private partnership. It has played a critical role in changing the culture of care for residents of Westchester who are faced with the challenges of serious and terminal illness.

Some important notes: Contact your Local Health Library for a copy of this article

Acknowledgements: Cancer Support Team, Mamaroneck, New York, USA.

Marie Curie’s multi-visit service for palliative care patients in Northern Ireland.

Source:European Journal of Palliative Care, 2011, 18(1), p.18-21

You can obtain a copy of this from your local NHS Library

Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell:  This article examines the organisation and objectives of the interdisciplinary palliative care service through which district nurses and specially trained Marie Curie Cancer Care health care assistants provide care for patient’s in their own homes in Northern Ireland.  Results of a survey to measure satisfaction of district nurses and service users are discussed.

Length of publication: 3 pages.

Acknowledgement: BNI

A proposed systems approach to the evaluation of integrated palliative care

Title: A proposed systems approach to the evaluation of integrated palliative care

Source: BMC Palliative Care 2010, 9:8

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: May 2010

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: There is increasing global interest in regional palliative care networks (PCN) to integrate care, creating systems that are more cost-effective and responsive in multi-agency settings. This article proposes a comprehensive framework for evaluating PCNs, focusing on the nature and extent of inter-professional collaboration, community readiness, and client-centred care.

Length of publication: 41 pages

Some important notes: A full-text pdf  of this report is available, follow the above abstract link to access the pdf.

Summary Care Record: the Bury experience.

Source: European Journal of Palliative Care

Follow this link for the article.

Date of Publication: May-June 2009

Publication Type: Online article

In a nutshell: This article looks at the implementation of the Summary Care Record for end-of-life care at NHS Bury PCT to replace the paper-based system of communication between patients’ GPs, consultants, district nurse services and out-of-hours care providers. Benefits to patients, GP practices and urgent care providers are discussed.

Length of Publication: 3 pages

Acknowledgements: CINAHL

GP and nurses’ perceptions of how after hours care for people receiving palliative care at home could be improved: a mixed methods study

Source: BMC Palliative Care 2009, 8:13  Follow this link for the full article

Date of Publication: 14 September 2009

Publication Type: Research article

In a nutshell: This study carried out in Australia investigates the gaps in care from the perspective of GPs and Palliative Care nurses. Questionnaires developed from an earlier phase of this project were distributed to staff in both urban and rural practices. Some of the gaps identified could only be met by long term funding and policy change. Education and training of Palliative Care professionals was identified as an area for improvement as was the development of advance care plans and greater communication between members of multidisciplinary teams to enhance after hours service provision for patients receiving palliative care at home.

Length of Publication: 29 pages