How work community-standard palliative care manuals, patient education tools, and assessment tools? : OPTIM-study

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to examine the current use of a palliative care manual, brochures for patients, and assessment tools designed for the regional intervention study. A questionnaire survey (706 physicians and 2,236 nurses) and interviews (80 health care professionals) were conducted. The tools health care professionals most frequently used were the manual and brochures for families of imminently dying patients. Health care professionals experienced [shared understanding as a region level despite the clinical experience and specialty] and [increased confidence in palliative care they had practiced without clear evidence]. The manual were positively evaluated because they “cover all necessary information”, “come in an easy-to-carry-around size”, and “provide specific and practical advice”. Health care professionals valued the brochures for families of imminently dying patients, because illustrations were very helpful as oral explanation was difficult. This study suggests that the manual and brochures for families of imminently dying patients could serve to improve region-based palliative care.