Effects of the Development of the Palliative Care System for End-of-Life Patients in the Community in Ban Phue Hospital, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

Background: Patients near the end of life, both cancer and non-cancer, should have rapid, comprehensive, and effective access to palliative care. This research aimed to study the development of the palliative care system for end-of-life patients within the primary care network Ban Phue Hospital, Udon Thani Province.  

Methodology: This action research according to Kemmis's concept involved; 51 personnel, 31 caregivers, and 31 palliative care patients, with each group having 31 members. The research instrument was a questionnaire asking, patient information, personnel, and caregiver operations. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the paired t-test.

Results of the development of palliative care system for end-of-life patients in community included eight measures as follows: 1) home visits and training of caregiver skills, 2) counseling, 3) holistic care, 4) supportive spiritual rituals, 5) emotional care, 6) end-of-life care, 7) best life experience provision, and 8) forgiveness. After personnel development, the overall palliative care practice significantly increased (p < 0.001). Caregivers gained significant increases in the correct beliefs and practices (p = 0.022). Most patients achieved a calm mind and engaged in religious activities (64.5%), and 90.3% faced severe symptoms during end of life, turned to be calm after the end-of-life planning.

Conclusion: The development of a community-based palliative care system within the primary care network fosters strong relationships among the care team, caregivers, and families, leading to positive patient outcomes, and should be integrated to the system.