A Survey of the Palliative Care Provided by Long-term Care Units Established Together with Palliative Care Units through the Opinions of Staff in Palliative Care Units and Long-term Care Units

ABSTRACT

<p>Purpose: We investigated the benefits and problem of the palliative care provided by long-term care unit through a survey of staff in palliative care units (PCU) and long-term care units. Methods: Self-reported questionnaires were administered to staff who engaged in PCU and long-term care units. Questions included awareness of WHO palliative care definition, and, the general idea on palliative care, possibility of cooperation with PCU, advantages / disadvantages, and idea for non-cancer palliative care in long-term care unit. Results: We got responses from 248 medical and nursing-care staff. The percentage of “knowing” the WHO definition was 76.5% in medical staff / 32.3% in care worker, 87.6% in PCU experience / 46.5% in non-experience. Categories of responses are good, advantageous, problematic, difficult requirement, difficulty, etc. The main answers were the difficulty of care, problems of knowledge and technique, and points of problems related to personnel shortage. Medical staff or PCU experienced staff pointed out needs of palliative care and improvement of knowledge and skills. Conclusion: Opinions acknowledging the benefits and necessities for palliative care of long-term care units and a number of problems were revealed.</p>