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BMC Palliative Care
Published in: BMC Palliative Care 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Palliative care in the home: a scoping review of study quality, primary outcomes, and thematic component analysis

Authors: Mark Hofmeister, Ally Memedovich, Laura E. Dowsett, Laura Sevick, Tamara McCarron, Eldon Spackman, Tania Stafinski, Devidas Menon, Tom Noseworthy, Fiona Clement

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The aim of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of patients and families through the prevention and relief of suffering. Frequently, patients may choose to receive palliative care in the home. The objective of this paper is to summarize the quality and primary outcomes measured within the palliative care in the home literature. This will synthesize the current state of the literature and inform future work.

Methods

A scoping review was completed using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EconLit, PsycINFO, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database were searched from inception to August 2016. Inclusion criteria included: 1) care was provided in the “home of the patient” as defined by the study, 2) outcomes were reported, and 3) reported original data. Thematic component analysis was completed to categorize interventions.

Results

Fifty-three studies formed the final data set. The literature varied extensively. Five themes were identified: accessibility of healthcare, caregiver support, individualized patient centered care, multidisciplinary care provision, and quality improvement. Primary outcomes were resource use, symptom burden, quality of life, satisfaction, caregiver distress, place of death, cost analysis, or described experiences. The majority of studies were of moderate or unclear quality.

Conclusions

There is robust literature of varying quality, assessing different components of palliative care in the home interventions, and measuring different outcomes. To be meaningful to patients, these interventions need to be consistently evaluated with outcomes that matter to patients. Future research could focus on reaching a consensus for outcomes to evaluate palliative care in the home interventions.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Palliative care in the home: a scoping review of study quality, primary outcomes, and thematic component analysis
Authors
Mark Hofmeister
Ally Memedovich
Laura E. Dowsett
Laura Sevick
Tamara McCarron
Eldon Spackman
Tania Stafinski
Devidas Menon
Tom Noseworthy
Fiona Clement
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-018-0299-z

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